Evalee Clayton, age 92, daughter of James Thomas and Viola (Long) Smith was born March 23, 1932. She passed away on January 25, 2025 at Hickory Manor Nursing Home in Licking, Missouri. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Dow Clayton; parents; one son, Thomas Ray Clayton; and two brothers, J.E. Smith and Doyle Everett Smith. On October 27, 1952, Evalee was united in marriage to Ray Dow Clayton. She is survived by three sons, Ramon Dal Clayton, Len Dow Clayton (Sherry), and Tillman Clayton (Alison), all of Licking; one sister, Deanna Smith of Raymondville, MO; daughters-in-law, Barbara Clayton and Theresa Clayton of Licking; grandchildren, Jay (Brandi), Dalton (Rachel), Dow (Andrea), Curtis (Nicole), Camryn (Tommy), and Halee; and great-grandchildren, Chelsey (Jaxon), Dalen, Ralee, Keegan, Olivia, Ray, Rhett, and Ella. Evalee and Ray Dow owned and operated Shipp Lumber Company in Raymondville, MO. Throughout her lifetime, she was a clerk at the Texas County Treasurers Office, Licking Livestock Auction, and managed the Tarry Inn Motel in Licking. She attended several churches throughout her lifetime, Raymondville Methodist, Boone Creek Baptist Church, Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Community Crossroads Church of Raymondville. Evalee enjoyed cooking, singing, playing the piano, reading her Bible, and attending church with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A visitation for Evalee will take place Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Fox Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11:15 AM at Boone Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boone Creek Cemetery in loving memory of Evalee.
