Charles Murray Clayton

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, September 30, 2015

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Jan. 6, 1929 – Sept. 25, 2015

SHREVEPORT, La. — A Mass of Christian Burial for the Rev. Monsignor Charles Murray Clayton, 86, a faithful priest of both the Alexandria and Shreveport dioceses, who died Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in the company of his immediate family in Vidalia, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shreveport, La., with Bishop Michael G. Duca as the principal Celebrant joined by the priests of the Diocese of Shreveport and Diocese of Alexandria.

Burial will follow at the Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church, with a rosary and vigil service at 6 p.m.

Monsignor Clayton was born Jan. 6, 1929, in Natchez, the son of Robert Waddell Clayton Sr. and Lucille Murray Clayton.

He received his undergraduate degree from Springhill College in Mobile, Ala., before attending seminary at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, La. He complete his priestly training at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, before being ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Alexandria on May 26, 1956.

During his initial assignment as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Alexandria, Monsignor Clayton also served Bishop Charles P. Greco as editor of The Church Today for the Alexandria Diocese prior to being named chancellor of the Diocese of Alexandria in 1967. He served in that capacity until Bishop Greco named him pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport in September of 1969.

During his 24 years as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport, Monsignor Clayton’s remarkable pastoral abilities transformed the Broadmoor congregation into the largest Catholic worship community in north Louisiana, with a vibrant school and vast array of programs and outreach ministries including sponsorship of an orphanage in Saltillo, Mexico. Hispanic ministry was something very dear to Monsignor Clayton’s heart and his fluency in the language along with his personal leadership helped spark the early formative years of outreach to the Latino community by Shreveport’s Catholic faithful.

Prior to his retirement, Monsignor Clayton in his last years of active priesthood, brought his special brand of ministry to the Catholics of west Shreveport by serving as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, who embraced his loving nature and benefited from his strong pastoral leadership.

A truly gifted man of God, Monsignor Clayton was a wise spiritual counselor, a dedicated prison minister, ecumenical pastoral leader, a talented musician who could play the trumpet quite well in his youth, a community activist and a dear friend to so many who were connected to him through the countless weddings, baptisms and funerals he performed as a priest. His sharp sense of humor combined with his gifted ability as a storyteller and homilist made him a joy to be with. He will live in the hearts of thousands of area Christians for many years to come.

Monsignor Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Robert “Bob” Waddell Clayton Jr. and Anna Krueger Clayton.

Survivors include two nephews, Robert Waddell Clayton III and wife, Karen, of Ferriday and Charles Elliot Clayton and wife, Pamela, of Vidalia; two nieces, Diane Clayton Martin and husband, J.D., of Clayton and Mary Clayton Elliot and husband, Glen, of Lake St. John; and a number of great-nieces and nephews.

The family suggest in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Doctors without Borders, 333 Seventh Ave., Second Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001.