Clayton “Soc” Malone, 82, of Winona, died at Country Meadow Personal Care Home near Greenwood on Wednesday, November 15. He
was born to Hosea C. and Marie Watson Malone in Kilmichael on July 15, 1935. Clayton moved to Winona in 5th grade, played football, and met his future wife, O’Nirah, during his high school years in Winona.
Following graduation from Winona High School in 1956, Clayton moved to Greenville where he began work as a telephone lineman for
South Central Bell. Clayton and O’Nirah were married in August of 1957 and made their home in Greenville. In 1958 Clayton joined the
Mississippi Army National Guard and he served until he was honorably discharged in 1962.
Clayton continued to work for South Central Bell, eventually becoming the Central Office Foreman in Greenville, a position he held until
1977, when he transferred to Jackson and accepted a position as an Equipment Engineer. He remained in this job until his retirement in
1991. Following his retirement, he and his friend, Joe Steen, formed South Central Cabling, a contracting company. They both eventually
went to work as contractors for the State of Mississippi, and both retired, again, after thirteen years.
From 1977 until 2009, Clayton and O’Nirah made their home in Clinton, where Clayton, with the help of family, built a home for them on
Drexel Circle. It was there they reared two daughters, Kim and Betty Ann. Clayton was actively involved during those years as a member of the Siwell Road church of Christ, formerly Belvedere church of Christ, in Jackson. He will be remembered as an exemplary Christian that
loved his family dearly and always looked for ways to help people.
In 2009, Clayton and O’Nirah returned to their childhood home of Winona in order to be near their grandchildren, Kimberly, Clay, and
Annalise. Clayton saw them every day. They were the light of his life and they adored him. They knew him as “Pop” and he would always
say yes to anything they wanted him to do with them.
Clayton is survived by his wife of 60 years, O’Nirah Burton Malone; two daughters, Kim Malone (Christie Jacobs) of Evergreen, Colorado
and Betty Ann Waggoner (James) of Winona; three grandchildren, Kimberly, Clay, and Annalise; and a host of extended family. Along with
his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Malone Pogue and brother, Billy Franklin Malone.
Graveside funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona, with burial following. Mr.
Curtis Burton officiated the service. Family received friends on Saturday, November 18, from 5 until 7 p.m., and on Sunday, November
19, from 1:30 until 2:45 p.m., at Oliver Funeral Home in Winona.
Memorial contributions may be made to Winona church of Christ, Building Fund, 701 Middleton Road, Winona, MS 38967 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
An online guestbook is available at www.ofhwinona.com.
