Rev. Lester Clayton, son of the late Norman Woodruff and Opal McElrath Woodruff was born on May 25, 1938 in Newport, Arkansas and departed this life on February 26, 2019 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 80 years.

Mr. Clayton was a member of the Liberty Hill General Baptist Church where he was the former Minister. He also pastored various other General Baptist Churches in the area.  He had formerly worked for County Wide Insurance as an Insurance Agent for many years.

On September 2, 1961, he was united in marriage to Beverly Pettit in Flint, Michigan.  Mrs. Clayton survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his wife, Beverly, he is survived by one son, Larry Clayton and wife Lisa of Gallatin, Tennessee; one daughter, Sherry Orr of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; one brother, James Clayton of Hillsboro, Missouri; one sister, Ann Horton of North Little Rock, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Amber Hewell, Megan Pendarvis, Kyle Fleming, Grace Fleming, Russell Orr and Rylee Orr; by fourteen great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Clayton.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on March 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Ron Williams and Rev. Joe Payne officiating.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Memorials may be made to:

18 Fore-Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

Memorial Fund

John Irvin / John Brehmer, c/o Mark Guethle, 720 Saddle Spur, Dexter, Missouri