Crickett Ghee Clayton

Crickett Ghee Clayton passed away on July 21, 2021, from complications associated with COVID-19. Crickett emitted transformative and unconditional love. It was tangible. It filled the space around her and weaved through everything she did. When she first met someone, she would say, “I’m a hugger” and would wrap them in a warm kindness that rekindled with every subsequent encounter. She made people feel loved because she truly and fiercely loved people. When she laughed she cried, when she prayed, she praised. Her happy place was with family in footie pajamas watching late night movies and creating memories with her loving husband of 31 years and her children. She felt tremendous joy when her family congregated for jam sessions, and no matter where she was, if there was a song in her heart she would lift her head, close her eyes, and sing. Her love language was service. While working a full-time job as a client service coordinator she was also a full-time student getting her master’s in counseling, was leading her own counseling ministry, and was providing music at a new small church. Her goal was to become a state certified counselor so that she could better fulfill her unquenchable desire to help people. Those of us lucky enough to have known her know that she helped people in magnificent ways every single day. Born to Frank F. Ghee, Jr., and Mary E. Ghee in San Antonio Texas, Crickett was the eldest of 5 children. Crickett was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ghee; father, Frank Ghee; and brother, Howard Ghee. She is survived by her husband, David Clayton; daughters, Valinda (Layloni) Ghee, Melanie Garvin, Kateena Bell, Tara Clayton; Sons, Zach Clayton, Josh Clayton; her siblings, Genise (Candy) Ghee, Melony Ghee Griffith, and Frankie Valinda Ghee; 10 grandchildren; 2 nephews, brother-in-law and sister-in-law and countless others who she claimed and loved as her own family. Crickett knew that she was just passing through this world and that her true home was in heaven. Those of us still here are immeasurably changed by her life. May we celebrate her and continue to try and love as she did. A service held in her memory will take place Wednesday August 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home (2425 8th Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401).