by Glenn N. Holliman
He was born Elliott Clayton Herrin III, the eldest child of E.C. and Mary Daly Herrin of Irondale, Alabama, February 1953. After several years of declining health, Clayton passed away the morning of August 27, 2021, age 68. These are a few pictures in my family album of Clayton and others through the years.
Five Generations in 1953
When he was three months old, he had his picture taken at his great grandmother's home in Irondale. Pearl Caine Holliman, 1887-1955, is on the far left. In the dark dress is Clayton's grandmother, Vena Holliman Daly, 1909-1990, standing next to her daughter, Mary Daly Herrin, b. 1931. Holding the new generation is the great, great grandmother, Lula Hocutt Caine, 1861-1957.
Later that year the Herrin/Daly family came to visit our family in Johnson City, Tennessee. I was 7 years old and remember Clayton as a baby, nestled by Mary. Unfortunately no photographs were taken.
A baby sister, Linda, came along in 1956. This Christmas picture is probably from 1962,
Clayton graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1971. Below reflecting the hair styles of the era, he sits with his mother, Mary, at Becky Holliman's wedding December 31, 1971. Becky is the daughter of Bishop Holliman, Mary's uncle.
Also attending that party a half century ago were siblings, Suzanne
and David Herrin. 
And then there was Clayton's 21st birthday in 1974,
wearing a snazzy bow tie!
In 1989 another birthday party for his Grandmother Vena surrounded by Daly cousins and his siblings.
Though the decades Clayton matriculated at Montevalo and Samford Universities and was a banker before health issues slowed him up. He married Phylis Thoni of Birmingham in 1975. Tragically, they lost an infant child. Elliott Clayton Herrin IV survives, an expert in the mechanics of the entertainment industry.
Clayton was affable, kind, interested in trains and family history and a great help to his parents as they aged. After my retirement, I was able to get back to Birmingham more often to enjoy visits with all my cousins. Clayton once showed my father, Bishop, and me around Irondale to see how it had changed or in some cases had not changed.
With his mother, Mary, Clayton waves goodbye after a visit of my father and me.
I shall miss Clayton, and I am sure I am not the only one to feel that way.
