Jane Burruss Clayton

Jane was born in Roxboro, NC on August 13, 1949. She graduated from Person High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro, and Master’s degrees from NCSU and NC Central University.

Jane married her high-school sweetheart, Wayne Clayton, on June 13, 1970; they were married 54 years. The young couple enjoyed swimming and skiing at Jane’s parents’ house on Hyco Lake. The lake house was the site of many joyful family reunions known as Bradsher Bashes.

Jane and Wayne lived in Roxboro and Rockingham, and eventually Raleigh. They enjoyed getaways to their lake house on Mayo Lake in Roxboro, and to the beach at Emerald Isle.

Jane worked as a teacher, guidance counselor, and high school administrator for Wake County Public Schools for 24 years. She was sometimes called a ‘mean blonde’ but was mostly known as a compassionate, fair, and highly capable leader. She was a caring soul and a mentor, both professionally and socially, to many.

She enjoyed volunteering with the League of Women Voters, Wake County Democrats, Serve One Another, as a hospice respite companion, at the NC Museum of Art, in her daughter’s classroom, and in many other capacities over the years.

She was also actively involved in her Mindfulness Meditation group, often serving as a meeting leader. She credits mindfulness with helping her embrace life through her illness.

Jane loved to cook and host. She loved bringing people together and serving them, not just with food but with love. She always had time and energy to dedicate to those around her. Jane made close friendships at every stage of her life, from childhood to her final years, and she treasured each of those relationships.

Jane is survived by her husband Wayne Clayton, daughter Ginny Clayton, daughter-in-law Kim Kirkhum, siblings Anne Burruss Duncan and Tucker Burruss, niece Nancy Lesperance, nephew Andy Siegle, and other family and friends.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents Nancy Bradsher Burruss and Clarence Tucker Burruss.

The Celebration of Life was held at 11:00 on Saturday, August 24th at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Transitions LifeCare Hospice. The family of Jane wishes to thank Transitions LifeCare and Golden Harmony Home Health Services.

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