Clayton Smith

Mark Clayton Smith, 29, of Midland, passed from this life on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, in Dallas. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 20, 2012, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 11:00AM at First Christian Church, 1301 West Louisiana Avenue Midland, TX 79701. Clayton was welcomed into this world on February 26, 1983 in Midland by his loving parents Mark D. and Denise Smith. From the time he was born, Clayton was the life of the party. Always happy and outgoing, not one person entered his presence without noticing his zest for life and incredible smile and boisterous laugh.Clayton enjoyed being outside as much as possible and could often be found hunting, camping with his dad at BTSR, watching Texas Rangers baseball, or taking his red jeep out for a drive. Music was another passion of Claytons. He was an avid Texas Country fan and taught himself how to play the guitar, with the help of his dear friends, who also shared his passion for music. Of all his passions, however, his family and friends were the most important things in his life. Clayton took great care in building relationships and could always be counted on in times of need or celebration. Clayton was a survivor and a fighter who never took one second of his life for granted. He loved Jesus and through that we can find comfort. In his final days, Claytons friends and family came together to pray for his recovery. The inspiration and peace that came from these prayers cannot be described. Although Clayton did not recover in this life, we know that he was made whole in Gods sight. As the saying goes, Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.\ Clayton exemplified this throughout his life in his care towards others and towards the end was able to see the blessing of others carrying him. Survivors include his mother, Denise Ms. Niecee Smith of Midland; maternal grandparents, Carol and Orville Fletcher of San Angelo; paternal grandmother, Ingrid Smith of San Angelo; aunt, Gwen Smith of San Angelo; aunt, Pam and Michael Sisi of Cleveland, Ohio; uncle, Mark and Liz Smith of Houston; uncle, Ken Fletcher, of Richland, WA; cousin, Christy and Robert Spencer of Pauls Valley, OK; countless cousins and friends; and the other joys in his life, his dogs, Pepper and Wynnie. He is preceded in death by his father, Mark D. Smith; grandfather, David G. Smith; his dogs, Pebbles, Lucy, Daisy and Bandit. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,