Shirley Ann Clayton

Shirley Ann Clayton passed away November 24 at Care Initiatives, Cedar Rapids. Before moving to Cedar Rapids, Shirley lived in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area for most of her 89 years. She was born October 17, 1935, in Brandon, Iowa, the third of Guy and Ethel (Lehman) Roster’s nine children. She attended school in Brandon and later in Cedar Falls. After two brief marriages ended in divorce, she met Robert Emerson Clayton. On December 26, 1961, they married in Fillmore, Minnesota, and remained married until his death in 1992. Shirley was beloved by her family, but even people not related to her often called her Aunt Shirley or Grandma Shirely. In fact, in 1999 she wore a t-shirt emblazoned with “Grandma Shirley” to the Price Is Right game show. Bob Barker and the audience took delight shouting “Grandma Shirley! Grandma Shirley!” when she was called down to contestant’s row. She even made Barker laugh when she told him “I’m a bingo grandma from Waterloo, Iowa.” Though beset by tragedies, including the death of three of her five adult children, Shirley was also a lucky soul, blessed with a generous disposition and a forgiving and accepting heart. She made many friends from the Waterloo Eagles club and the local bingo parlors. She loved to tell stories (often changing the ending to suit the audience) and she loved to laugh. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Glen and William Roster, sisters Charlotte Donley and Virginia Cornwell, husband Robert and adult children Sherri Clayton Van Laningham, Don Clayton and Gary McClure. She is survived by son Ron Street (Sherri) of Cedar Rapids and daughter Victoria Clayton (Micheal Alexander) of Los Angeles; grandchildren Jennifer Metz (Brian) and Stacey Campot (Ray) of Los Angeles, Zach Carson of Fort Collins, CO, Joshua Johnson of Waterloo, Nicolas and Gabriel Alexander of Los Angeles, and David and Brayden Street of Cedar Rapids, as well as great grandchildren Carter Johnson of Waterloo and Sarah Metz and Lucas and Leo Campot, of Los Angeles. A gathering of family and friends will take place in June to honor Shirley. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you have a forgiving and accepting heart today.

Shirley Ann Clayton

October 17, 1935 - November 24, 2024