Pallbearers Acknowledgements
Pallbearers Grandsons: Karl Edwards, II Khalil Claytor-McClain Kevin Haley, II
Celebrating The Life of Sarah Louise Gilmer Claytor
Great Grandsons: Gary Thomas Claytor Darian Belizaire Eric Belizaire
Acknowledgements The Claynor/Gilmer families acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy. We are sincerely grateful to the many friends who have given us support and comfort during this time of loss. Your presence helped to lighten our burden. We pray that God continues to Bless you.
SUNRISE September 27, 1927 SUNSET October 15, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017 Family Visitation: 12:00 - 1:00 PM Service: 1:00 PM
Professional Services Entrusted To Burthey Funeral Service 1510 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 Phone: 919-682-0327 FAX: 919-956-8743 Website: www.burtheyfuneralservice.com Founded in 1947 Program Designed By God’s Girl Graphic Design 919-703-7792 | [email protected]
St. Joseph’s A.M.E. Church 2521 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 The Reverend Dr. Ronald Owens, Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. Officiating Minister The Historic Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Order of Service Prelude
Darius Burruss
Processional
“O How I Love Jesus”
Prayer of Comfort
Rev. Madonna Gray Zion AME Church Delaware, OH
Scripture Readings: Old Testament (Psalm 139: 1 - 8) New Testament (James 1:2)
Rev. Madonna Gray Rev. Madonna Gray
Selection “How Great Thou Art”
Darius Burruss
Reflections (Limit to 2 minutes)
Family Members Church Members Friends
Acknowledgements & Resolution
Elder Gale E. Thomas
Obituary
(Read Silently)
Selection Darius Burruss “My Soul ‘s Been Anchored in The Lord” Eulogy
Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover
Recessional
“It is Well”
Interment Beechwood Cemetery 3300 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC
All Drivers: are asked to turn on your headlights for safety while in the procession.
Obituary Sarah Louise Gilmer Claytor was the third of four siblings born to the late William Arthur Gilmer, Sr. and Lillie Mae (Baines) Gilmer, on September 27, 1927 in Durham, North Carolina. She transitioned to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 15, 2017. After being educated in Durham Public Schools, Sarah married James H. Claytor, Jr., from Roanoke, VA on February 23, 1946. The following month, the couple moved to Boston, Massachusetts where they made their home. From their union came seven children: Michael, Stanley, Denise, Eric, Gary, Barbara and Lisa. Sarah joined Charles Street A.M.E. Church in 1946 under the pastorate of Reverend Oliver W.H. Childers. For over sixty years, she served faithfully as a devoted member of the Reverdy C. Ransom Unit of the Sarah Gorham Women’s Missionary Society, MendesEpps Usher Board, Trustee Board, Vision to Victory Steering Committee and Vice President of the Lay Organization. After leaving Boston in 2007, Sarah joined Zion A.M.E. Church on December 23, 2007. While living in Boston, Sarah worked for BF Goodrich, Jeremiah E. Burke High School and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the age of 60, Sarah fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and traveling the world when she launched her business, SAR-RAH Tours. Her business motto was “Special Tours for Special People.” Sarah and her travel partners sojourned all over North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. In November 2001, Carole Copeland Thomas recognized Sarah for her entrepreneurial accomplishments at one of her Empowerment Breakfasts. She was saluted for, “the personal advocacy she demonstrated by enhancing the cause of diversity and empowerment.” According to her family, Sarah was an anchor, a beacon and has been seen as a second mother and grandmother to a number of others. She was truly a phenomenal woman, phenomenally. Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Claytor, Jr.; son Eric Russel Claytor; sister Katie Gilmer Smith, brother William Gilmer, Jr., grandson, Gary Brent Claytor, Jr., niece Wanda Ford; sisters in law Evelyn Gilmer, Mildred Claytor, Rachel Dunning, and Virginia Robinson; brothers in law Aaron A Smith, Sr., Earl Williams, Sr. and Richard Claytor, Sr., cousins Mary and Lucille Baines and Thomas Riley Gilmer. Those left to cherish her legacy and loving memory consist of her children, Michael Claytor, Stanley Claytor, Denise Claytor, Barbara Claytor-Lipscomb, and Lisa Claytor Edwards; her sister, Barbara Williams and her children, Earl and Monique Williams; grandchildren, Laurisa Claytor-Cadman, Kenya Claytor, Aisha Claytor, Dionna Collins, Kevin Haley, Alexis Claytor, Erica Lipscomb, Khalil Claytor-McClain, Karl Edwards and Arieanna Edwards; great-grandchildren, Assata Claytor, Darian and Eric Belizaire, Gary Thomas Claytor, Brianna Kahrim, Joanna Whitley, and Madison McElroy; sons in law, LeRoi Lipscomb, Karl Edwards and Robert Owens; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She met no strangers and brought love and joy to all who knew her.
Wings Of The Angel A gentle wind blew cross the land Reaching out to take a hand For on the winds the angels came Calling out a mother's name. Left behind, the children's tears Loving memories of the years Of joy and love, a life well spent And now to God a mother's sent. On angel's wings, a heavenly flight The journey home, towards the light To those who weep, a life is gone But in God's love, 'tis but the dawn. By Tim Chambers
Celebrating The Life of Sarah Louise Gilmer Claytor
Great Grandsons: Gary Thomas Claytor Darian Belizaire Eric Belizaire
Acknowledgements The Claynor/Gilmer families acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy. We are sincerely grateful to the many friends who have given us support and comfort during this time of loss. Your presence helped to lighten our burden. We pray that God continues to Bless you.
SUNRISE September 27, 1927 SUNSET October 15, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017 Family Visitation: 12:00 - 1:00 PM Service: 1:00 PM
Professional Services Entrusted To Burthey Funeral Service 1510 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 Phone: 919-682-0327 FAX: 919-956-8743 Website: www.burtheyfuneralservice.com Founded in 1947 Program Designed By God’s Girl Graphic Design 919-703-7792 | [email protected]
St. Joseph’s A.M.E. Church 2521 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 The Reverend Dr. Ronald Owens, Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. Officiating Minister The Historic Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Order of Service Prelude
Darius Burruss
Processional
“O How I Love Jesus”
Prayer of Comfort
Rev. Madonna Gray Zion AME Church Delaware, OH
Scripture Readings: Old Testament (Psalm 139: 1 - 8) New Testament (James 1:2)
Rev. Madonna Gray Rev. Madonna Gray
Selection “How Great Thou Art”
Darius Burruss
Reflections (Limit to 2 minutes)
Family Members Church Members Friends
Acknowledgements & Resolution
Elder Gale E. Thomas
Obituary
(Read Silently)
Selection Darius Burruss “My Soul ‘s Been Anchored in The Lord” Eulogy
Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover
Recessional
“It is Well”
Interment Beechwood Cemetery 3300 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC
All Drivers: are asked to turn on your headlights for safety while in the procession.
Obituary Sarah Louise Gilmer Claytor was the third of four siblings born to the late William Arthur Gilmer, Sr. and Lillie Mae (Baines) Gilmer, on September 27, 1927 in Durham, North Carolina. She transitioned to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 15, 2017. After being educated in Durham Public Schools, Sarah married James H. Claytor, Jr., from Roanoke, VA on February 23, 1946. The following month, the couple moved to Boston, Massachusetts where they made their home. From their union came seven children: Michael, Stanley, Denise, Eric, Gary, Barbara and Lisa. Sarah joined Charles Street A.M.E. Church in 1946 under the pastorate of Reverend Oliver W.H. Childers. For over sixty years, she served faithfully as a devoted member of the Reverdy C. Ransom Unit of the Sarah Gorham Women’s Missionary Society, MendesEpps Usher Board, Trustee Board, Vision to Victory Steering Committee and Vice President of the Lay Organization. After leaving Boston in 2007, Sarah joined Zion A.M.E. Church on December 23, 2007. While living in Boston, Sarah worked for BF Goodrich, Jeremiah E. Burke High School and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the age of 60, Sarah fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and traveling the world when she launched her business, SAR-RAH Tours. Her business motto was “Special Tours for Special People.” Sarah and her travel partners sojourned all over North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. In November 2001, Carole Copeland Thomas recognized Sarah for her entrepreneurial accomplishments at one of her Empowerment Breakfasts. She was saluted for, “the personal advocacy she demonstrated by enhancing the cause of diversity and empowerment.” According to her family, Sarah was an anchor, a beacon and has been seen as a second mother and grandmother to a number of others. She was truly a phenomenal woman, phenomenally. Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Claytor, Jr.; son Eric Russel Claytor; sister Katie Gilmer Smith, brother William Gilmer, Jr., grandson, Gary Brent Claytor, Jr., niece Wanda Ford; sisters in law Evelyn Gilmer, Mildred Claytor, Rachel Dunning, and Virginia Robinson; brothers in law Aaron A Smith, Sr., Earl Williams, Sr. and Richard Claytor, Sr., cousins Mary and Lucille Baines and Thomas Riley Gilmer. Those left to cherish her legacy and loving memory consist of her children, Michael Claytor, Stanley Claytor, Denise Claytor, Barbara Claytor-Lipscomb, and Lisa Claytor Edwards; her sister, Barbara Williams and her children, Earl and Monique Williams; grandchildren, Laurisa Claytor-Cadman, Kenya Claytor, Aisha Claytor, Dionna Collins, Kevin Haley, Alexis Claytor, Erica Lipscomb, Khalil Claytor-McClain, Karl Edwards and Arieanna Edwards; great-grandchildren, Assata Claytor, Darian and Eric Belizaire, Gary Thomas Claytor, Brianna Kahrim, Joanna Whitley, and Madison McElroy; sons in law, LeRoi Lipscomb, Karl Edwards and Robert Owens; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She met no strangers and brought love and joy to all who knew her.
Wings Of The Angel A gentle wind blew cross the land Reaching out to take a hand For on the winds the angels came Calling out a mother's name. Left behind, the children's tears Loving memories of the years Of joy and love, a life well spent And now to God a mother's sent. On angel's wings, a heavenly flight The journey home, towards the light To those who weep, a life is gone But in God's love, 'tis but the dawn. By Tim Chambers
