Nell Dougan Clayton

Nell was born on February 17, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant, MS. She graduated from Northwest Mississippi Junior College and Memphis State University. She met her husband, the late Joseph A. Clayton, on a Collierville tennis court. They were married 69 years and were known as “Sugar and Sweetie” to all--especially their 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Nell was an active member of Collierville First Baptist Church. As a Shelby County elementary school teacher, she spent most of her career teaching at Collierville Elementary. She also substituted there nearly every day after her retirement for many years.

Preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe Clayton, and her parents, Waudee Dougan and Bernice Gardner, Nell is survived by her children, Anita Hurdle (Jack) of Mt. Pleasant, MS, Andy Clayton (Donna) of Moscow, TN and Alan Clayton (Betsy) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Jay Hurdle (Cate), Joel Hurdle (Kitty) and children, Dakota and Emma Grace, Heather McLemore (Dylan), Holly Crain (Alex) and children, Abby Jane and Jackson, Hunter Hurdle (Morgan) and children, Lily Kate and Charlotte, Brooke Razzaghi (Hosie) and children, Suri and Ramzey, Debra Nelson (Jed) and children, Evey and Harper, Marci Wheeler (Josh) and children, Preston and Parker, Aubry Brown (Cole), and Julia Geny (Charlie).

Please join us in a celebration of Nell’s life on Wednesday, February 8, at 3 pm at Collierville First Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 2 pm. A private burial service will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Collierville First Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colliervillefuneral.com for the Clayton family.