Harvey Millard Reverend Clayton

On June 7, 2019, Harvey Millard Clayton passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends in the care of Transitions LifeCare of Wake County. Harvey was born April 6, 1943 to Percy and Madge Clayton in Durham, NC. He was raised with his two sisters, Sheila and Barbara. He graduated from Durham High School in 1961, attended UNC-Chapel Hill, and received a B.S. in Chemistry in 1965. He then served in the Peace Corps from 1965 – 1967 teaching chemistry in Accra, Ghana. He loved the people, his time there, and throughout his life referred to Ghana as his second home. In 1967, he met the love of his life and future wife, Linda Darnell Guill. In 1969, they married and moved to Raleigh to begin their family. They eventually settled in the Garner area and raised their two children, Chris and Beth. Harvey worked as a chemist for the Food and Drug Protection Division for the NC Department of Agriculture. He retired in 2003 among his many lifelong work friends. In 1980, the family attended a revival service at Aversboro Road Baptist Church and the pastor preached on the parable of the Prodigal Son. Harvey and Linda then chose Aversboro Road Baptist Church as their spiritual home. Harvey spent many years at ARBC and served as deacon, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and youth leader. He particularly enjoyed trips to Caswell and other mission trips. He was called to his own ministry through his time and service at ARBC. In 1997, Harvey enrolled in the Charter class of the Divinity School at Campbell University. He graduated in 2005 with a Master of Divinity with Languages, with Distinction. During his time at Campbell University he felt called to pastoral care. After his ordination in 2006, he served as interim pastor at Bear Swamp Baptist Church and Cane Creek Baptist Church. He also served as chaplain at WakeMed Raleigh and as a volunteer chaplain for the Garner Police Department. Harvey’s legacy is in the many lives that he touched through the years in both his formal and informal ministry opportunities. He had a kind, gentle soul and cared greatly for anyone fortunate to meet him. Harvey knew what mattered most in life and that was love for God, love for family, and love for others. He spent his life caring for others and many people were blessed to have received “Harvey hugs” during their time knowing him. Harvey is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Linda “Duck” Clayton; his son, Chris Clayton, and his partner, Jason Bennett; his daughter, Beth Clayton Woodard and her husband, David; his grandsons who were his pride and joy, Christopher and Emmitt Woodard; his sister, Sheila Atkins, and her husband, Austin; and many other relatives and friends. Harvey was predeceased by his parents and sister, Barbara Johnson. Our family is forever grateful for the loving care and dignity provided to Harvey in his stay at Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh, Dementia Alliance of NC, or a charity of your choosing. Funeral services will be at Aversboro Road Baptist Church at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 with visitation to follow in the fellowship hall. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon and Monday at 1008 Braxton Ct., Raleigh, NC.