Obituary of Charlotte E. Clayson

Charlotte Evelyn Clayson Charlotte Evelyn Clayson passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 at home. She was 97 years old. Calling hours will be held on Monday April 3, 2017 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Fagan's Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 3:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Eleanor Collinsworth officiating. Burial will be in Bath National Cemetery without a graveside service. Charlotte was born on February 15, 1920, to Harry and Leafia Jane Houghtalen Blakeman in Sayre, PA. Her father died when she was 20 months old, so she was raised by her grandmother, Henrietta Houghtalen, until the age of seven when her mother married Arthur Campbell. Around the age of two, Charlotte suffered a severe case of polio leaving her with a crippled arm. Though this might have been seen as a disability by many, Charlotte never let it hold her back. Charlotte spent much of her childhood in Sayre, PA, and graduated from Almond High School in 1939. (Hers was the last class to graduate from the school.) On November 21, 1941, Charlotte married Ward Clayson in Springwater, NY. Ward and Charlotte had three children, and celebrated 63 years of marriage before Ward passed away October 24, 2005. They began their marriage in Honeoye Falls, NY, but spent most of their married life in Bath. Charlotte was a homemaker who loved to cook. She was pleased to work at the W.T. Grant & Company. When she left Grant's she turned her energy to volunteering. In addition to being president of the Builder's Club and a member of the Women's Society at the Centenary United Methodist Church, Charlotte volunteered at the Bath Information Booth for 10 years, for the Red Cross, and at the old Ira Davenport Hospital when it was located in downtown Bath. She was very proud of being a lifetime member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary, Unit 173. Charlotte held several offices in this organization, including serving as county president for 3 years. For over 34 years (2010), Charlotte has donated nearly 4,000 hours to our veterans. In addition to spending time with her family, Charlotte loved to travel, and had especially fond memories of her trips to Mardi Gras and Hawaii. As a 30+-year member of the Republican Club, Charlotte always looked forward to working as an election inspector. In later years, when she was forced to stay closer to home, she found great comfort in reading, doing puzzles, watching her fish, enjoying her cat, Ginger, and playing bingo. Charlotte is survived by her three children; Evelyn (Merrill) Kaufmann of Montrose, CO, Timothy (Sharlot) Clayson of Canandaigua, NY and Fred Clayson of Bath, NY, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Ward, her parents, her sister Martha and her half-brother, Lawrence. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Music Program at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 3 W. Washington Street, Bath, NY 14810.