Mercille Clayton

Mercille Clayton was born on October 22, 1941 in Laurel, Mississippi to Prentiss Cook and Annie B. Graves, who preceded her in death along with her son Freddie James Clayton, granddaughter Trenasey Rochelle Sargent, Grandson Johnny Gray, Jr., two brothers: Andrew Lewis-McGill and John Ransom-Miller, and one sister Velma Cox.

Mercille departed this life peacefully at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, California on May 26, 2025, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Mercille attended Oak Park School in Laurel, MS where she graduated. In 1972, she moved her family to Venice, California. In 1975, she moved her family to Santa Monica, CA where she had a daughter, Jennifer Pickett. She worked for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District for 40 years, and at the age of 74, she retired. 

She moved back to Santa Monica where she joined Greater Morning Star Baptist Church and she sang in the Women's and Sanctuary choirs, and was an Usher for many years. She moved back to Venice in 1980, where she raised her children and continued to be a member of Greater Morning Star Baptist Church. 

Mercille Clayton went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025 leaving her children Doris Anita Clayton-Ware (husband, Hoyette Ware) of Inglewood, CA; Diane Clayton of Hawthorne, CA; Debra Denise Walker of Los Angeles, CA; Reginald Terry Clayton (wife, Rachel Clayton) of Hawthorne, CA; Steve Andre Clayton of Pennsylvania; Jennifer Pickett-Freeman (husband, Anthony Freeman) of San Bernardino, CA; three sisters: Gladys Cook of Laurel, MS, Margaret Bonner and Barbara Miller of Cleveland, OH; and one brother James Cook of Fairview, TN. She leaves thirty-one grandchildren, forty-three great grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; also three daughters-in-law: Wendy James, Shirlene Holloway, and Paula White, and a host of family and friends. 

The Clayton family gives special thanks and appreciation to Frederick Nelson, Pastor Tyrice Cagle, Deacon Edward Willis, Mother Edith Scott, Ramona Jolivette-Pierre, the Greater Morning Star family, Green Family Cremation and Burial, and appreciation to Dr. Heidi, Dr. Angela, and the staffs at Healing Hands and Forever Caring. 

"His master replied, Well done, thou good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25:21.