Dorothy Mae Hesse Clayton, of Tollville, ascended to her eternal heaven on September 28, 2020. She was born November 21, 1928 in Ulm, Arkansas to Adolph Charles Hesse and Matilda Duensing Hesse. She was baptized and christened on December 25, 1928 at the Lutheran Church in Ulm. Dorothy was a graduate from Ulm High School and Phillips Community College. She married her husband, Stanley Clayton June 1, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ulm. To their union, they added the joy of children, Wayne William, Tamara Kay, and Limon Titus. They lived in Tollville for 48 years where Stanley farmed with family members. Upon his death, Dorothy remained in the family home. Dorothy leaves a history legacy of being a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Tollville. She served on the vestry, Altar Guild, ECW, and the Prairie Harvest Cookbook Committee. Dorothy was also a member of the Prairie County American Cancer Society where she served as treasurer and Crusade Volunteer in her community.
Dorothy retired from the Dept. of Finance and Administration of Arkansas after 25 years of service. Dorothy also had the joy of being a retired teacher of Arkansas. She loved flowers and working in her yard. Dorothy enjoyed the beauty of arranging bouquets and sharing them with her church and community. She was always available to be a helping hand to all. She worked in her later years at Springbrook Health and Rehabilitation of Hazen, as Activity Director and Certified Nursing Assistant. Dorothy truly enjoyed the residents and employees. In her heart they were family members who she truly loved. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Stanley; her precious son, Limon Titus Clayton at the young age of a senior at Hazen High School; her siblings, a sister, Helen Stinson and a brother, Melvin Hesse; nieces, Pam Troy, Christine Haney and a special nephew, Carl Stinson.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 2, 2020 at the Hazen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 Friday at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 1432 Hwy. 86 East, DeValls Bluff, Arkansas 72041 or the American Cancer Society.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Sickel, Jimbo Guenther, Charles Hesse, Fred Ledear, Jimmy Shelman and Rick Wiggins. Honorary Pallbearers are Kelly and James Troy.
Mrs. Dorothy Clayton left a legacy of being a public servant who consistently helped others. There’s no telling how many people she served in getting their car tags renewed, etc, while working for DFS. As a church pastor, I especially appreciated her extraordinary work at the nursing home in Hazen. She encouraged and helped residents to attend the devotional services and the singing services, which she considered to be an important priority in the lives of the residents.
Our thoughts and prayers continue for her family. May God’s Word and His Holy Spirit (the “Comforter”) provide strength, peace, comfort and assurance during this time of sorrow.
What a great loss to the community. This woman did every thing for everyone. She will be greatly missed.