Vernlee Clayton

May 3, 1931 - August 16, 2016

Vernlee Clayton, 85, formerly of Sodus passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family. Services celebrating her life will be held at Noon on Saturday, Aug 20, at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Pipestone Township. The visitation will be held beginning at 11 AM on Saturday at the Fairplain Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net. Vernlee was born on May 3, 1931 in Leechville, AR to Isaac and Leona Fortson. She moved to Michigan when she was 15 years old. She met her husband, J. C. Clayton, here and was married. He preceded her in death in 1992. Vernlee loved her God and her animals. She enjoyed being outdoors. Vernlee had a “green thumb” and loved planting her flowers in her garden. She would often go out into the fields and gather wild flowers which she would plant in her garden. Vernlee was the “life of the party” any time she was together with her family and friends. She loved bragging about her children and grandchildren. Her family includes her children, Diane (J. D.) Powers of Sodus, Linda (Daniel) Townsend of Pulaski, TN, Jerry Clayton of Sodus, Donna (Jimmy) Smith of Ashton, IL, Denise (Milfred) Blevins of Mansfield, TX, Mary Clayton of Dowagiac, and Robin (Scott) Mills of Watervliet; her 22 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sons, Thomas, Mike and George, and her daughter, Kittie.