Mary Damon Helvenston Clayton

Mary Damon Helvenston Clayton entered the life eternal on May 30, 2024, peacefully surrounded by her family. Mary Damon was born on July 31, 1926 to Mary and Brantly Walker Helvenston, Jr. in Live Oak, Florida. She was a native third generation Floridian. She grew up in Live Oak and graduated from Suwannee High School. In 1943, she attended Florida State College for Women (FSU) where she pledged Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She transferred to the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, where she graduated in 1947. Upon returning to Live Oak after graduation, she married Wilson Malcolm "Mac" Clayton. Her faith was the central part of her life as was her husband, Malcolm. She was a devout member of the Episcopal Church in attending St. Luke's in Live Oak. She and Malcolm joined the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando where they were lifetime members for over 72 years. She taught Sunday School, and was a Circle Chairman of Presbyterian Women for many years along with being involved in many activities with the church. She was active in the community. She was a member of the Auxiliary Orange Memorial Hospital (later Orange Regional Medical Center) and volunteered at the YWCC. She was a member of The Rosalind Club and Sustaining member of the Junior League of Orlando.

She and Malcolm proudly and lovingly raised 6 children. She wore many hats that she did with love and pride as wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother to 17 and great grandmother to 24. She was a woman with deep faith and love of family. Her happiest times were always spent with her family.

Mary Damon is predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Wilson Malcolm "Mac" Clayton, her son, Mark Alexander Clayton, her parents, Mary and Walker Helvenston, Jr., her sister, Hallie Weller Quinn and her brother, Brantly Walker (Bully) Helvenston Ill. She is survived by her children, Kenneth Malcolm (Ken) Clayton II (Joan), Mary Cordelia (DeeDee) Clayton Warren (Dr. William Warren), Craig Helvenston Clayton (Barbara), Carol Anne Clayton Sealy (Phil), Brantly Walker (Brant) Clayton (Yvonne); Keli Ponder Clayton; grandchildren: Jenifer (Jenie) Clayton Kolar (Alan), Kristin (Sissy) Clayton Perryman (Dr. Patrick Perryman), Kenneth Malcolm (Trey) Clayton Ill (Amy), William Christopher (Chris) Warren (Anne), Mary Lindsey Warren Severs (Brad), Anne Warren Williams (Dillard), Joseph (Joey) Helvenston Clayton (Meredith), Melissa Clayton Hart (Terrence), Ansley Sealy Mercier (Rob), Lauren Sealy Wigle (Trevor), Clayton (Clay) Philip Sealy (Bethany), Brantly Walker Clayton, Jr., Wilson Malcolm Clayton II, Jonathan Daniel Clayton (Jen), Michelle Grace Clayton, Taylor Marie Clayton, Tanner Alexander Clayton (Sarina), and 24 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, June 6th, 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Heart of The City Foundation, Mary Damon Clayton Memorial Fund, 106 E. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801, heartofthecityfoundation.org or The Word Made Fresh, P.O. Box 540777, Orlando, FL 32854, thewordmadefresh.org