Marion Potts Clayton

Marion Potts Clayton, 95, of Yorktown, passed away July, 19, 2024, at home with family.
Marion was the youngest of four children of Paul Mimms Potts, Jr., and Shirley Sawyer Potts. Mrs. Clayton was preceded in death by her husband, Howard V. Clayton. Prior to their 1988 move to Yorktown, the Claytons were Newport News residents. Marion was a fourth grade teacher for many years at Riverside Elementary. Marion Francis Potts was born on Dec. 1, 1928, in Natchitoches, La., an historic town that she loved and was proud to note was “the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase.” Marion’s childhood included swimming in the Cane River and putting on plays that she wrote for friends and neighbors. Her interest in theater led to a B.A. in speech and drama from Northwestern State University, and graduate work at Louisiana State University. She taught speech and drama at Ursuline College in New Orleans and then moved to Shreveport to teach at Southfield School, where she met Howard while playing golf. In 1958 while living in Jackson, Ms., with her husband, Marion directed the Eudora Welty play, Bye Bye Brevoort for the Little Theatre of Jackson with Ms. Welty in attendance. In addition to teaching, Marion was an active member of the Junior League in Newport News. She was also an avid tennis player and member of the Warwick Yacht Club. Upon moving to Yorktown, Marion served on the boards of the Watermen’s Museum and the Yorktown Branch of the APVA. She was also Regent of the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2012, Marion published a book, Letters to Shirley, which compiled and edited letters sent home from her father Paul, a World War I aviator flying Caproni airplanes in Italy, to his wife, Shirley. In her 90’s, Marion renewed her interest in bridge and started teaching neighbors in Yorktown and playing regularly. This was her great joy to pass along to others. Marion is survived by her daughter, Sarah Clayton Davis (Bruce) of McLean, Va., and son John Harrison Clayton (Sharon) of St. Paul, Mn., and Yorktown. She is survived by three grandchildren, Clayton Davis (Laura), Caroline Davis Stevens (Paul) and William Davis, along with four great grandchildren, Brennan Davis, Nikolai Davis, Thomas Stevens, and Luke Stevens. She is also survived by brother-in-law Howard Shaw and nieces and nephews, including Shirley-Paul Knox (Todd) and James Coward. Marion was predeceased by her sisters, Mrs. Paula Crain, Mrs. Shirley Coward, and her brother, Paul M. Potts, lll. Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Celebrate Yorktown Committee, P.O. Box 557, Yorktown, Va. 23690, or Grace Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 123, Yorktown, Va, 23690, or a Yorktown non-profit. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va.