Obituary of Dr. Mary Neely Clayton

Mary Neely Clayton, DDS, age 65, of Odenville, Alabama passed away December 8, 2018 after a brave battle with cancer. 

She is survived by her pets, Romeo, Junie-Bea, Maggie and Fabio.  She is also survived by her sisters Rae Clayton and Lea Clayton, MD; her stepmother Joy A. “Mom-Joy” Clayton; stepbrothers Sancho Dickinson, III (Sandra), Fairly Dickinson (Guy Cardineau), Celeste McDonald (Darrell) and Edward Guy Dickinson (Sandy); stepsons Greg Brown (Elizabeth) and Paul Brown, Jr. (Mindy) and their family;  cousins John Neely, Jr., Richard Neely, Marion Painter, Robert Prince, Prince Clayton (Nancy), Jackie Lou Brown, James Caden, John Caden and  Sallie Caden Randall; dear friends Susan Stanberry, Rasila Bhakta, Millie Decker, Kim Cowart and Max Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Brown, DDS; father Horace C. Clayton, MD; mother Mary Sue Dickinson; and stepfather Sancho Dickinson, II.

Mary was born in Birmingham, Alabama and lived in Moody until 1965 when she moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma with her mother and stepfather.  She graduated from Midwest City High School in 1971, the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing in 1976 and, after 10 years of nursing, attended the University of Oklahoma School of Dentistry, graduating in 1990.  She built a very successful practice there as well as volunteering her services at the Choctaw Indian Reservation until she retired.  Soon after her husband, Paul, passed away in 2012 she moved home to Alabama where she took great pleasure in her home, family and dogs.  She was an avid animal lover, artist, gardener and piano player.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 14th at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Usrey Funeral Home, Pell City.  The funeral service will begin at 12:00 pm with the Rev. Lynn Dimon officiating.  Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Birmingham.

Pallbearers will be Sancho Dickinson, Darrell McDonald, David Perry, Wesley Guthrie, Ken Serles and Prince Clayton.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the ASPCA or to your local Humane Society.

Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.  Usrey Funeral Home, Pell City, is in charge of arrangements.