Parents of Stamford Murder Victim Starting Memorial Scholarship
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: February 7, 2012
The parents of a Stamford girl who was kidnapped and murdered in 1988 are honoring their daughter's memory in a new way.
Cortney Clayton was only seven when her future was taken from her. Now more than twenty years later, her parents are helping to brighten someone else's with a scholarship in her memory.
"I'd hope for it to be for somebody who wants to go into the service like nursing, fireman, police," said Candy Clayton, Cortney's mother.
Cortney was abducted in September of 1988 when she walked to a convenience store down the street from her house in Stamford. A hunter found her remains six months later 50 miles away in Moran. Her killer was never found.
"I just thought that somebody should do something for them, and to keep Cortney's name in everyone's mouth. Just to keep her memory alive, " said Becky Roach, who opened the account for Cortney's scholarship at the Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union.
Roach works with Candy Clayton at Hendrick Medical Center.
"She felt that Cortney's memory deserved something. And I just thought it was wonderful, to think enough to do this for her," Clayton said.
The Claytons already have a student from Stamford High School in mind they'd like to give the scholarship to this year. They're hoping to formalize the process and raise money for Cortney's cause in coming years.
"I think she would like it. She loved people, and I think this would make her happy," Clayton said.
The Claytons are still raising money for this year's scholarship and haven't decided on a dollar amount for it yet.
Donations can be dropped off at the Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union at 3849 Antilley Road in Abilene or mailed to: ATFCU Cortney Clayton Memorial, c/o Becky Roach, PO Box 5706, Abilene, TX 79608.
Cortney Clayton was only seven when her future was taken from her. Now more than twenty years later, her parents are helping to brighten someone else's with a scholarship in her memory.
"I'd hope for it to be for somebody who wants to go into the service like nursing, fireman, police," said Candy Clayton, Cortney's mother.
Cortney was abducted in September of 1988 when she walked to a convenience store down the street from her house in Stamford. A hunter found her remains six months later 50 miles away in Moran. Her killer was never found.
"I just thought that somebody should do something for them, and to keep Cortney's name in everyone's mouth. Just to keep her memory alive, " said Becky Roach, who opened the account for Cortney's scholarship at the Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union.
Roach works with Candy Clayton at Hendrick Medical Center.
"She felt that Cortney's memory deserved something. And I just thought it was wonderful, to think enough to do this for her," Clayton said.
The Claytons already have a student from Stamford High School in mind they'd like to give the scholarship to this year. They're hoping to formalize the process and raise money for Cortney's cause in coming years.
"I think she would like it. She loved people, and I think this would make her happy," Clayton said.
The Claytons are still raising money for this year's scholarship and haven't decided on a dollar amount for it yet.
Donations can be dropped off at the Abilene Teacher's Federal Credit Union at 3849 Antilley Road in Abilene or mailed to: ATFCU Cortney Clayton Memorial, c/o Becky Roach, PO Box 5706, Abilene, TX 79608.
