Obituary

Mary Clayton-Long was born in Carthage, Mississippi on March 10, 1944. She was one of nine children to the union of the late Charlie T. Clayton and Pauline Conway-Clayton.

Mary attended Mt. Olive and St. Anne schools during her early school years. She later matriculated from Conway-JG Greer High School in Thomastown, MS. She continued on to receive training as a Keypunch Operator with IBM. Her early career goal was to complete her nursing degree and practice as a registered nurse. Due to societal challenges during the 1960’s, she decided to pursue work as a catalog processor for Aldens, a mail order retail company. Mary later worked as a keypunch operator for Sears Roebuck and Company.

Mary was married to Harold Long and later married Michael Apata.

Mary confessed Christ at an early age and attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church. While living in Chicago she was a member of St. Mel Catholic Church. She also attended Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church with her family. She enjoyed reading her bible and other preferred books, crocheting, cooking, baking, gardening, dancing, and listening to music. Most recently Mary found joy crocheting scarves and donating them to children in the community and to the children’s ministry at Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Milwaukee. She always had a giving heart and was known to generously give her last to others.

Mary is preceded in death by her Father Charlie Clayton, Mother Pauline Conway-Clayton, brother James Clayton, and her first husband Harold Long. Mary entered eternal rest on Thursday January 11, 2018 at approximately 6:23 p.m. at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories, her two children: Dr. Dora L. Clayton-Jones (Shannon) of Milwaukee, WI and Larry B. Apata of Lake Wylie, SC. Four grandchildren: Shannon Jones II, Malik Apata, Dorian Jones, and Todjeria Anderson. Ten brothers and sisters: John Clayton of Milwaukee, WI (Cheryl), Bulice Clayton of Maywood, IL, Charlean Curtis of Chicago, IL, Birdia Clayton-Woods of Chicago, IL (James), Martha Clayton (John) of Camden, MS, Calvin Clayton of Milwaukee, WI, Patricia Stafford of Brookhaven, MS, Jerry Zollicoffer of Milwaukee, WI, Charlie Zollicoffer (Loleta) of Brandon, MS, and Grace Hamilton (Cedric) of Webster, TX, fifteen nieces, six nephews, and other family and friends.

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