Clayton Emory Smith IV

11.08.1991 – 03.16.2019

It is with great sadness that the family of Clayton Emory Smith IV announces his passing on Saturday, March 16th, 2019, at the age of 27 years.

Clayton Emory Smith IV was born a little over a year after both his namesake Clayton Emory Smith III and his sister Sophia Stanislava died in a tragic automobile accident. He became the salvation for his devastated parents who were still recovering after that loss. Three years before his brother Wolfram had died at the age of five from what was perceived at that time to be muscular dystrophy. Unbenounced to the parents, he actually passed away from ALD – juvenile form of adrenomyeloneuropathy. The same disease would claim the life of Clayton Emory Smith IV twenty-seven years later.

In between Clayton IV attended J Allen Axson Montessori Elementary School, graduating and achieving good grades. He excelled in Boy Scouts of America and achieved the highest rank of Eagle. He and his brother Seabrook attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Clayton helped his family with family business, working tirelessly – sometimes late into the night. He graduated from Pathways Academy High School.

He began his studies at FSCJ but they were cut short by the onset of adult adrenomyeloneuropathy which was so rare that it took over a year before he was diagnosed. Upon learning of possibility of brain involvement Clayton elected to have a bone marrow transplant at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. His brother Seabrook became his unselfish donor.

For three years his mother Maria and brother Seabrook were his caregivers while Clayton continued to suffer the effects of AMN which finally took his life on March 16th, 2019.

Significant is the fact that only 22 people in the entire world volunteered for the procedure of bone marrow transplant that Clayton and Seabrook endured to add to the medical knowledge about this dreadful disease. Both are to be commended for their noble and brave efforts in this regard. Hopefully, their sacrifice will eventually lead to a cure for future generations.

Clayton IV is survived by his father Clayton Emory Smith II, his mother Maria G Smith, his stepmother Julia Smith, his brothers Seabrook, Warren, Jackson, Anderson, George Allen and his sister Catherine Claire and his faithful companion -German Shepherd Wolfie.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes for donations to be made in his name to the Myelin Project.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904)396-2522. Visitation and viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 27th from 6 to 8 pm at Hardage - Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home located at 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. Service is scheduled for noon on Thursday at the Chapel onsite with interment to follow at 1.00 pm.