Blanche Wood Clayton Boxx

Blanche Wood Clayton Boxx, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 93 on August 4, 2021. She was born June 11, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio to Nettie G. Wood Clayton and Johnny Clayton. Blanche was the youngest of three children and the only girl of the Clayton union.

Raised in the Cedar Central area, Blanche attended John Hay High School, graduated Class of 1947. After high school, Blanche had additional training in medical terminology and pathology. She went on to work at Metropolitan General hospital transcribing autopsy reports. In her early twenties she visited one of her mom’s sisters (Aunt Toy) in Oakland, California, where she met her future husband Otis Boxx Jr. Otis moved to Cleveland after Blanche’s return home. They married and had one child, Glenn Otis Boxx. That union ended and Blanche went on to raise her son, Glenn as a single parent with the help of her mother. Education was of utmost importance to Blanch. She and Glenn moved numerous times in an effort to enable him to attend better schools. Through the years, Blanche’s career continued to develop. She began working as a medical secretary at Highland View hospital, where she met her lifelong friend, Josephine Patterson. Blanche ended her working career at the place she started, Metropolitan General.

Blanche enjoyed going to the Pocono’s Hillside Inn – a Black owned resort. Family visits also brought her great joy. She and Glenn often visited her dad’s sister, Aunt Marie in Rochester, NY. She also loved visiting with her cousin Tisha in Cleveland.

Anyone that knew Blanche would know she was an outspoken person that would not hesitate to tell you what was on her mind. She truly enjoyed line dancing and volunteered regularly to help others complete their taxes.

Blanche was preceded in death by her GRANDMOTHER, Leola B. Hudson Wood Parker; parents, Nettie G. Wood Clayton Lewis King and Johnny Clayton; two brothers, Marcus and Melvin (Helen) Clayton and nephew, Darryl Clayton-Bey.

Blanche is survived by her son, Glenn Otis Boxx and his wife, Tina; Glenn’s siblings, Stacey, Gillian and Shannon; sister-in-law, Iris Clayton-Owens; nephews, and nieces, Mickey Bey, Gabriel Bey (Azetta) Deborah Campbell, Craig Clayton, Cheryl Clayton and Paige Clayton (Denise); cousins, Joetta Evans and Dianne Murphy; lifelong friends, Josephine and Earl Patterson and a host of family and friends.