Born 7 January 2001 at Atrium Health Cabarrus (then known as Carolinas Medical Center—or CMC—NorthEast) in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to David S. Martinez & Anita M. Bolick, I was named Clayton Anthony Martinez. I was named after both of my grandfathers: Clayton, my first name, was from my maternal grandfather, Clayton Ray Bolick; & Anthony, my middle name, was from my paternal grandfather, Davis Anthony Martinez.
I lived & was raised in Rowan County in the small community of Bear Poplar along with my older sister, Taylor Anderson. My neighbors were my maternal grandparents, Ray & Martha Bolick, & my maternal uncle, Randy Bolick.
Other than Taylor, I have one other sibling: a brother whom I've met since was put up for adoption soon after his birth, Tyler Biggerstaff.
I was educated in the Rowan County School System; attending Mount Ulla Elementary School from 2006 to 2012, West Rowan Middle School from 2012 to 2015, & West Rowan High School starting in 2015. I struggled in school a lot. I would have graduated in spring 2019. However, I ended up quitting school when I was in the 10th grade for mental health reasons.
During middle school, I was diagnosed with a few mental issues. Asperger's syndrome, OCD, & severe anxiety disorder. I feel I've overcome them a little bit since then. And, in May 2016, I was hospitalized for a week after developing a limp the week before after waking up one morning & finding my legs numb & not being able to walk or stand up. While I was in the hospital & after various tests were done, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. My life hasn't been too easy since then. I'm pretty convinced I've had 1 or 2 relapses since then. And I've suffered & still suffer from several symptoms from the disease. But with help from my friends, family, & my doctors, I'm getting through it. And I'm not letting MS take control.
Some of my interests are RMS Titanic & the other Olympic-class liners, history, United States Presidents, the British royal family & the British monarchy, Biltmore House, lighthouses, & learning of & about the populated places in North Carolina.
I also have quite a few hobbies. Genealogy, dancing, reading, listening to music (mostly Adam Lambert), playing video games (mostly just Grand Theft Auto games, Red Dead games, & Minecraft), collecting certain things (like the Hess toy trucks, coins, old documents & other old items, bottles & cans, & anything with wolves or Titanic.
I am also a member of the furry fandom & have been since about November 2017. It is one of my biggest hobbies. I have one costume—which is called a fursuit—of a dog named Iceland.
I was raised & am a Christian & am a lifelong member of Ebenezer Church of Mt. Ulla (formerly Ebenezer United Methodist Church) in Mount Ulla, Rowan County, NC. Started attending regularly again on Christmas Eve 2017. In the summer of 2019, I was in charge of creating a record for Ebenezer's cemetery. With help from friend & fellow genealogist, Mr. Charles "Jeff" Thompson, I made a detailed cemetery record that I am proud of. I followed it up a year or so later with a sort of "guide" which details every person buried in the cemetery. Since I finished the 2019 record, I have been appointed the record keeper for Ebenezer Church Cemetery. And in about 2021, I accepted the job of custodian for the church. Around 2022, I also became the church historian as well. These are 3 roles in the church that I'm proud of & am grateful to have.
I have since digitized the information I've found for Ebenezer Church & Cemetery; updating Ebenezer Church Cemetery & creating & maintaining the church's WikiTree free-space profile: Ebenezer Church & Cemetery.
I am currently in a relationship with a wonderful man, Paxton. (Yes, I'm gay. I came out as such in June 2016.) He was born in November 2002 in Statesville, Iredell County, NC; which is where he still lives. We've been together since June 2022. He makes me extremely happy & I can't imagine my life without him.
My talents are saxophonist, percussionist, recorder player, dancer, decorator. And a cool fact about me is that I'm left handed. My family, friends, pets, & church mean everything to me.