Joyce Clayton

Ocala - Joyce Tomlinson Clayton, 76, passed away June 11, 2021 surrounded by her family in her home. She was born October 23, 1944 in Burlington, VT to the late Herbert James Wheeler, Sr. and Emily Mary Austin Wheeler.  Since moving to Ocala in 1973 from Lantana, FL, Joyce worked at Martin-Marietta as a solderer, Pioneer Products (now Signature Brands) as a machine operator and Class I (Conalec) as a solderer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert James “Sonny” Wheeler, Sr. and Emily Mary Wheeler; brother, Herbert James Wheeler, Jr and sisters, Virginia Harvey and Shirley Ann Shaw, and first husband Richard E. “Gene” Tomlinson, Sr.

She is survived by the “love of her life and best friend” of 25 years, John Hustler Clayton; Daughter, Barbara Tomlinson Luider (Edward); Step-Daughters, Susan Dunsmore, Jayne Peretta, Richard E. Tomlinson, Jr, Deborah Zipperer, and Donna Davis; and Grandchildren, Matthew Luider (Katelyn) and Kaitlynne Luider; Step-Grandchildren Kris Prichard, Kimberly Parker, Thomas Dunsmore, Amberlee Procter-Hansen, Jennifer Osborne, Steven Tomlinson, and Amy Trombley; Christopher Hutchison, Tamra Hutchison, Tiffany Critchfield, and Savanna Davis; 18 Great Grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dearly loved friends too many to count.

Joyce had been a member of Wyomina Park Baptist Church, and Druid Hills Methodist Church.  She loved “being a Stubborn Vermonter”, her babies, grandbabies and furbabies, and camping/hiking North Georgia, North Carolina, and upstate NY with her husband John giving God the glory for His majestic works of nature.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Countryside Funeral Home, Anthony, FL with Reverend David Leonard officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Anthony Cemetery, Anthony, FL

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Joyce’s honor be made to Hospice of Marion County, P.O. Box 4860 Ocala, FL 34478 who has been a tremendous support for Joyce and her family.