Rose Clayton

Rose Clayton, 79, of Bluffton, SC, passed away on July 24, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Rose was born on August 3, 1942, to Thomas J. Money and Leontine Drake in Chicago, Illinois.  After graduating from Eastern High School in Washington, D.C., she went on to Howard University, where she met several lifelong friends and developed her passion for art.  After college, she moved to New York City, where she began working as a retail buyer.  She later relocated to Washington, D.C. once again and began a second career in economic and social development for area non-profit organizations and the city government.  She also helped found a line of greeting cards and collectibles featuring the work of Black artists.  In 2004 she married James Clayton and together they moved to Bluffton, S.C., where they quickly made many friends and joined the Church of the Cross.  In her retirement there, Rose enjoyed making jewelry and other crafts, mah jongg and book club with her friends, boat rides with Jim, and everything else the Lowcountry had to offer.  She will be remembered for her avid support of local and emerging artists, her creativity, kindness, and caring nature, and her never-ending love for her friends, family, and community.

Rose is survived by her daughter, Traci Strickland; son, Christopher Babb-Cheshul; two grandchildren; two bonus children of her husband, James Clayton, who predeceased her: Kymm Stevens and Jason Clayton; five bonus grandchildren, and countless other friends and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Cross in Bluffton, S.C. on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 2pm.  To share memories and photos, or make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, please visit everloved.com/life-of/rose-clayton/