Erma Clayton,the beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed peacefully and quietly into Heaven with a special sense of peace and love to be with her beloved God and her loved ones waiting for her there.

Erma Jean Clayton, 93, surrendered to God on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at Charlotte Square Assisted Living, Charlotte, NC. She was a resident of Charlotte for ten years and former resident of Dunbar, WV for 83 years.

She was born April 27, l916, in Poca, WV, the daughter of William Elbin Boggess and Bessie Ethyl Beckner. She was a manager of the Dunbar Sanitary Board, WV.

She was active in the Girls Scouts as a leader, a 53-year member of Order of Eastern Star Dunbar Chapter No.133 where she was a Worthy Matron; held various offices in Charleston Past Matrons Chapter No.7; a 50-year member of White Shrine Charleston Chapter; a 40-year member of Dunbar Pioneer Woman's Club; a charter member of Dunbar Civinette Club; Treasurer of Dunbar Library, and past County Treasurer of the Democratic Party. One of her favorite remembrances was serving as a hostess for a tea held at the Charleston Civic Center for John F. Kennedy when he was campaigning in WV for president. She also enjoyed cooking, expert sewing, gardening, and card playing.

She was a charter and 50-year plus member of Dunbar Baptist Church, Dunbar, where she was a Deaconess, member of Grace Church Circle, President of the Christian Service and organized the Quilting Club. She attended the Pineville Methodist Church in Pineville, NC.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald E. Clayton of 71 years; two daughters and sons-in-law, Judith Ann and Alex Pozniak of Winston-Salem, NC; and Norma Jean and Fred Charles of Matthews, NC; five grandchildren, Jeannie, and her husband,Tim Brooker and Christine Jolly of Winston-Salem, NC; Nancy Pozniak of Cleveland OH; Brian C. Charles of Matthews, NC; Bethany, and her husband, Will Westbury of Gaston, SC; three great-grandchildren, Sarah and Alex Brooker, and Helena Jolly; her sister, Madeline Whaley of Grove City, OH; brothers Edward and Frederick Boggess of FL; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister Genevieve, brothers Everett, Lawrence, Vernon, Burl, and Roscoe.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Hospice, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233; Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022-1202, which provides vision and rehab services; or the charity of your choice.

The family expresses their appreciation for the dedicated care provided by the staff of Charlotte Square Assisted Living, Presbyterian Hospice, Presbyterian Heart Failure Clinic, Dr. Tam, and Dr. Niess.

Burial was at Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.

Arrangements were made by Keller Funeral Home of Dunbar.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen

Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer II
The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1979