Aileen Clanton Loyd

Aileen Clanton Loyd, 94, of Clemson, SC, wife of Max I. Loyd, passed away October 1, 2025.

Born in Iredell County, NC, Aileen was the daughter of the late Franklin Bard Clanton and Ollie Mae Tilley Clanton. She graduated from Central High School in Statesville, NC where she was both Harvest Queen and May Queen. She furthered her education with a degree from Winston Salem Business College graduating with straight A’s. She retired from Clemson University as an Administrative Assistant in the College of Engineering Services, receiving a Special Service Award.

Aileen was a long-time faithful member of First Baptist Church of Pendleton. She was kind, compassionate, loving, gentle and always helping others. In Winston Salem, NC, she volunteered at Baptist Hospital for many years on the patients’ wards encouraging them and tending to their needs. A sweet spirit to calm their fears and make them more comfortable.

She was truly an animal lover and avid gardener. All the cats and dogs in the neighborhood liked to visit her home and she rescued many more animals, giving them a long loving life, including several cats and a ferret named Boo. Her home always had flowers growing in the yard any season of the year, some from seed, others from cuttings or shared gifts from friends. She helped for years in her daughter’s daylily and hosta plant nursery where her favorite task was removing spent blooms and preparing for next day’s beauty. She was always the most beautiful flower in the garden.

She is survived by her husband, Max I. Loyd, daughter Cynthia Gibson and her husband Stephen McCandless of Greenville, SC, brother Dorman Clanton of Statesville, NC and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Buford, Rayford and Ralph Clanton and sisters Hilda Roseman (Morris), Erma Apple (A.P.) and Jeanette Pegram (Charles) and grand-dogs Bubba, Sweetie, Scarlett and Lily.

The family will welcome friends Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Pendleton at 351 S. Broad Street Pendleton, SC.

Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Burial will be in Memory Gardens on 586 Issaqueena Trail in Central, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.