Carita Jo Clayton

Carita Jo Bernard Clayton, born on September 6, 1935, and passing away on August 8, 2025, was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother. Her warm smile and friendly nature endeared her to almost everyone she met.

Growing up in Evangeline, Louisiana, Carita’s life took a turn when she moved to Cary, North Carolina, in 1962 with her husband, Marshall Clayton. There, they quickly formed a close-knit group of friends and became founding members of the lively Carriage Club, cherished by the old Guard of Cary. Their friendship extended to Kildaire Farms Racquet Club, where they were also founding members. Together, they created a group of friends who shared a passion for tennis, rafting, hiking, and creating unforgettable memories.

The Clayton home was always a welcoming haven for friends and family, especially for meals. Carita’s culinary skills were renowned, and she was known to occasionally plan meals weeks in advance. Some of our most cherished family memories revolve around the grand dinners she would prepare. Gathered around their spacious dining room table, we would savor the food, laugh, and share stories that would be passed down through generations.

After a successful career spanning from Greenwood Forest Baptist Church to the Cary Police Department and IBM, Carita retired as an executive assistant. After retirement, she and Marshall embarked on a five or six-year journey, living full-time in a 23-foot RV. They explored various destinations, from Nova Scotia to Key West, from the Baja Peninsula to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, and many places in between, before settling down in Bandera, Texas, renowned as the Cowboy Capital of the World. During her time in Bandera, she actively volunteered at the library and quickly formed a close-knit group of friends there.

Carita had a deep passion for wildflowers and gardening, but her greatest joy lay in her five grandchildren: Emily, Andrew, Harper, Tasman, and Chance.

Carita returned to Cary for her final years. Despite battling vascular dementia, she maintained her sweet disposition and smile until her final days.

Carita was preceded in death by her father, TL ‘Good Buddy’ Bernard, her mother, Rosemary ‘Sis’ Ritter Bernard, her husband, Marshall Clayton, her brother, Bob Bernard, her sister-in-law, Adeline Bernard, her son-in-law, Tom Jakob, and one of her favorite uncles, Joel Bernard.

Carita is survived by her daughter, Heidi Jakob, her son, Heath Clayton, her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Fiero Clayton, her brother-in-law, David Clayton, and sister-in-law, Linda Clayton. She is also cherished by her favorite niece, Ladonna Bernard Greene, her husband, Charles Greene, her loving grandchildren, Emily Jakob, Andrew Jakob, and wife Kaley Jakob, Harper Jakob, Tasman Clayton, Chance Clayton; great-granddaughter, Murphy Jakob and her favorite uncle, Dale Bernard. Additionally, she is surrounded by countless other family and friends, including her devoted caretaker for the past 3.5 years, Maria Hussey.