Betty Blythe Clayton

Our beloved mother, Betty Warmath Clayton, 97, of Greensboro, passed away Monday, July 4, 2022 at Well-Spring Retirement Community. Betty was born in Jackson, Tennessee on October 21, 1924 to the late Earle and Elizabeth Warmath. The family soon moved to Ripley, Tennessee, where Betty attended Ripley High School, graduating in 1942. While at Ripley High School, she was a member of the majorette team, and was chosen to lead the team as drum majorette her senior year, an honor she spoke of proudly.

In 1949, Betty moved to Greensboro. It was here that she met her future husband, Sidney Harrison Clayton. They were married in 1951, and together raised their four children in Greensboro. In addition to many trips to the North Carolina coast, one of their favorite activities was attending UNC football games. Lively tailgating parties with friends and families prior to the games were the prime setting for funny stories, new friendships, and shared food and drink. Betty and Sidney were married for nearly 43 years, until Sidney’s death in 1994.

Betty loved to be around people, engaging in and volunteering for activities in communities all around. She was scout leader to each of her 4 children’s scout troops. Betty was one of the first nursing home activities directors in North Carolina and served on the Nursing Home Review Boards in the late 60’s and early 70’s while employed as activities director at The Evergreens Nursing Home. She was a crafts instructor at GTCC and taught seniors and special needs citizens at First Baptist Church. Betty was on the Blandwood Guild and a docent at Blandwood, conducting tours with various groups, including quite a few classes of inquisitive fourth graders. She was a member of the Tar Heel Garden Club and regularly created beautiful flower arrangements for the sanctuary at First Baptist Church. Betty was a lover of sports as well. She loved her Tar Heels, of course, but she also loved cheering on her Greensboro Grasshoppers and the UNC-G basketball team. One of the volunteer activities most dear to her heart was serving on the Turtle Patrol as co-coordinator at Holden Beach. She would get so excited when she’d get a late night call that one of the nests had a boil. Putting on her red turtle patrol t-shirt and grabbing her special flashlight, off she’d go to help lead the tiny hatchlings to the edge of the ocean. At 85 years of age, she could still be seen on her hands and knees helping the babies out of their nests. It was definitely a labor of love. One of her last volunteer acts was delivering the Well-Spring newsletter to all the residents on her hall, only stopping when she was no longer mobile.

Betty is survived by three children: Susan Clayton Smith (Richard); Trisha Clayton Abee; and Carol Clayton Vance (Gil), all of Greensboro. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Brooke Smith Napier (Doug); Anna Smith Akwari (Chidi); Griffin Abee (Brandon); Graham Abee (Ginny);Sidney Vance McGinnis (Shawn); Zeb Vance; and eight great-grandchildren: Charlotte and Jackson Napier; Austin, Cameron, and Jordan Akwari; Hannah and Marshall Abee; and Sadie McGinnis. She is also survived by special family friend, Katie Dannemiller, whom she always called her 4th daughter. Betty was predeceased by her son, Charles Warmath Clayton, in 1969, and her husband Sidney Harrison Clayton in 1994.

The family would like to graciously thank the entire staff of Well-Spring for many years of loving care for our mother. And to the staff of Rehab at Well-Spring: your extraordinary love, tenderness, and compassion for our beautiful mom in her final days was beyond what any of us could have imagined.

According to our mother’s wishes, there will be a private family gathering as she is laid to rest between our father and brother.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation may do so, in memory of Betty W. Clayton, to ArcBarks.com or Reelinforresearch.org. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.