Annie "Jean" (Jones) Clayton

Annie “Jean” (Jones) Clayton formerly of Dartmouth, NS passed away peacefully at Rockyview Hospital, Calgary, AB on December 17, 2025. In 2023 Jean moved to Alberta to be closer to her daughters. Born in Upper Big Tracadie, NS on September 10, 1932, she was the daughter of Sydney Morgan Jones and Amelia Jean (Desmond) Jones.

Jean was a loving, devoted wife and mother. Throughout her life she maintained a strong devotion to her faith. Alongside her husband they pastored for over 46 years at numerous Nova Scotia Baptist churches several of which were members of the African United Baptist Association (AUBA). She was a charter member of the AUBA Women’s Institute under the leadership of Mrs. Pearleen Oliver and designed the Institute’s membership pin.

Her leadership skills developed in her youth as a member of the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF). She used those skills in later life to organize the Women’s Institute in Acaciaville, NS and to support BYF groups and Vacation Bible Schools in Nova Scotia.

She was a lifelong learner who was dedicated to social justice working tirelessly to ensure African Nova Scotians had fair and equal access to community and government services and programs. Jean enjoyed a long and varied career as the Community Employment Coordinator with the Black United Front of Nova Scotia; Provincial Officer with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission; Human Rights Investigator with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Coordinator of the Halifax Metro United Way Anti-Racism/Multiculturalism Program. Her last position was Women’s Employment Counselor with Human Resources Canada. A community volunteer, she also served on numerous boards and committees.

Throughout her life Jean enjoyed travelling within Canada and made several trips to the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. The trip to the Netherlands in 2001 was one she often spoke memorably of as it was the first time her husband Willard had returned to the country he helped to liberate during World War II.  The visit, organized by their then son-in-law Josephus, included locations significant during Willard’s service – most notably the bridge at Nijmegen.

Jean always had a love of music and at age 55 she decided to learn how to play the organ; she always had a new hymn to play when family came to visit. She enjoyed researching genealogy, photography and needle crafts. She was not hesitant to embrace technology; loved surfing the internet and staying in contact with family and friends via email. In 2006, she self-published a children’s book selling over 300 copies.

The Nova Scotia Archives is the repository of the Annie Jean Jones Clayton Collection documenting, preserving and sharing an extensive collection of memorabilia that forms a lasting legacy.

Jean is survived by her daughters Joyce Clayton, Edmonton, AB; Shelley Dyson (J. Andrew Dyson), Calgary, AB; Heather Clayton (John Hall), Waterdown, ON. She will be deeply missed by her sisters Irene Francis, Scarborough, ON; Donalda Simon, Vancouver, BC; Beverly Sparks, Maxine Cromwell, both of Halifax, NS; Victoria Jones, Montreal, QC; and many nieces and nephews.

She is fondly remembered by the van Ulden family, Dirk van Ulden (Sheree Wolansky) and son Willem, Kelowna, BC; Joost van Ulden (Julie Robb), North Vancouver, BC; Philip van Ulden (Karmella Perez)and son Oscar; Leo van Ulden and sons Joost and Levi, all of St. John’s, NL.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Dr. Willard Clayton; parents Sydney and Amelia Jones; siblings Royal, Joyce, Lloyd, Douglas, Cyril, and Sheilah; stepmother Evelyn (Clyke) Jones; parents-in-law Licentiate Samuel and Idella Clayton; son-in-law Josephus M. van Ulden.

Grateful thanks to dear family friends Ligia Angulo, Marlon Betancourt and daughters Victoria and Viviana for their many acts of kindness and support to Jean and Willard over the years.

The family also extends a sincere thank you to the medical team at Rockyview Hospital for their compassionate care of Jean.

Cremation has taken place. A private interment will take place in spring 2026 in Nova Scotia, with a memorial reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

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