On Thursday morning, January 10, 2008, Gail Alverta Clayton was called to eternal rest at the Washington Hospital Center. We have lost someone so dear and special to us all.

Born on October 30, 1955 in St. Inigoes, she was the daughter of the late Nina Ball and James Albert Clayton. She was a faithful, cheerful and devoted member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

She was employed at Quality Transfer Storage at her time of death. She held several jobs throughout her life which include, the Hampton Inn and Sleep Inn where she enjoyed her responsibilities, greeting all guest with a big smile and making sure each guest had a pleasant stay. She also worked at Metters Industries, Inc as a reception and greeted you with a smile over the phone. She held several other jobs throughout her life and would often share her experiences from the Harry Lumberg Seaman School. Moreover, she was dependable, organized and had a wonderful personality to work with.

She shared her wit and charm with entertaining stories and had a great comeback ready for any situation followed by one of her many clichés. She also loved to impersonate Bernie Mac and Madea while playing cards. She loved to celebrate and was the excitement of any party. You would see her on the dance floor, hand dancing the night away and she also knew every line dance. She was a loving and caring person, always considerate of others and had a gigantic heart. While she liked to entertain others, she could often be found at the local Bingo hall trying to beat the odds. She also cherisher being around her grandchildren and gave her all to her family and friends

She was spiritually gifted, she could quote bible verses and she loved to sing hymns but mostly importantly she loved to pray for anyone in need. As a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and served on the usher board, sang with the Mt. Zion Jubilee Ensemble and rendered a solo's at a moments notice. One of her favorites songs was "Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes, I lay awake a night, but that's alright; Jesus will fix it after while". Later in life she was a member of the Motivated Unified Group, better known as The MUG Club, who rendered community services and met at Robinson & Barnes Tavern where she could be found cooking up a meal in the kitchen.

She obtained her education from the St. Mary's County School system and graduated from Great Mills High School in 1973. She furthered her education at Charles County Community College and earned a Business Management Certificate in 1975.

She leaves to morn her former husband & friend Charles Leroy Spears and son Dante S. Clayton of Lexington Park. She is survived by her father, James Ball of St. Inigoes and three brothers, Gwan Ball and his wife (Yvonne), William Smallwood and his wife (Connie), and Julian Ball of Lexington Park, MD, six sisters, Juarene McNair and her husband (John) of Florida, Deborah "Debbie Jean" Hutchins and her husband (James), Charlene Ball of California MD, Mary Delores Liebknecht and her husband (Tim) of Baltimore, MD, Donna Cannon and her husband (Ricky), of St. Louis MO, and Tajuana Brooks of Waldorf, MD, two adorable grandchildren, Nasier Dante Clayton and Amyiah Nicole Clayton both of Lexington Park, MD, and one God Daughter, Jocelyn Uvonne Toon of California, MD. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her brother Uvonne Donelle Ball. She also leaves two adopted Sister in Christ, Nola Bryant and Teri Berrian and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.

A special thanks is extended to Phillip Fenwick for being available during the absence of the family while she was recently hospitalized.

The family will receive friends at Gail's Celebration of Life on Friday January 18, 2008, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in Mt Zion United Methodist Church, 27108 Mt. Zion Church Road, St. Inigoes, MD 20684. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Reverend Alfred Statesman will be officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery and repast immediately following.

Many of her friends have offered assistance and the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Teri Berrian, PO BOX 951, Great Mills, MD 20634, on behalf of the Gail Clayton Memorial Fund, to assist with expenses.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Raymond-Wood Funeral Home, P.A. 10684 Southern Maryland Blvd, Dunkirk MD 20754; Phone: 410-257-7450.