Betty Rhea Clayton

Mullinville - Betty Rhea Hensley was born on June 23, 1930 to Elmer Leonard Hensley and Hazel Ruby (Ralstin) Hensley, on their farm north of Mullinville. She was the youngest of five daughters. Betty graduated from Mullinville High School in 1948 and attended Wilcox Beauty Academy, Dodge City, in 1950. She married the love of her life, James Martin Clayton on July 23, 1947. They had two children, Ronald Joe Clayton and Marla Sue (Clayton) Zimmerman, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was active in the community, serving on the City Council and was Mayor of Mullinville for one year. She was a member of the Mullinville United Methodist Church and was on several committees all her life. Betty was a hairdresser in her own “Betty’s Beauty Shop” for 45 years. Nature was her favorite passion. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and feeding squirrels. She is survived by Ron Clayton and wife Susan, Marla Zimmerman and husband Brad of Mullinville. Four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one sister Glenda Lawson, nieces, nephews and cousins. Four step-grandchildren, nine step-great grandchildren and eight step-great great grandchildren. Betty was predeceased by her father Elmer Hensley; mother Hazel Hensley; a brother Newell Hensley; sisters Georgia Manis, Belva Bishop, VaLeda Gilliam; husband James Martin Clayton and grandson Jonathan Clayton. A funeral service and celebration of her life will be 10:00 am, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Mullinville United Methodist Church, Mullinville, Kansas with Pastor’s Alex Karimu and Brad Zimmerman presiding. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Mullinville. A visitation time will be 9:00-10:00 before the service. Memorials are suggested to the Mullinville United Methodist Church and the Kiowa County Senior Center, Greensburg, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, KS 67054-0041.