Thelma Clay's Obituary
Thelma Mae Clay, daughter of Marion J. and Emma L. Johnson Atherton, was born August 21, 1929, in Gaines, Michigan. She departed this life Saturday, May 22, 2010, in her home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, nine months, and one day. On February 23, 1948, she was united in marriage to Roy L. Clay, and to this union one daughter and three sons were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy, on September 8, 1986; four brothers, Fred, Jim, Bert, and Bill Atherton; and two sisters, Edith and Margaret. Thelma is survived by a daughter, Susan Owens, and her husband, Ray, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sons, Tim Clay, and his wife, Janice, of Jefferson City, Missouri, Gary Clay, and his wife, Nancy, of Seymour, Missouri, and John Clay, of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brandon, Jason, and his wife, Amanda, Dillon Owens, and Rory Clay; a brother, Steve Atherton, of Lapier, Michigan; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in Michigan, and then, after she and Roy were married, they moved to Missouri. They made their home in the Lebanon area for awhile, and then moved to Ohio and Colorado before returning to Missouri. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her family, Thelma and Roy also owned and operated a bakery in the Waynesville community for a short time. Thelma worked for the H. D. Lee Company and had also been employed as a cook at Christian Health Care and as a caregiver for Oxford Health Care. Later, she worked as an assistant librarian for the Lebanon Schools. Thelma had made her profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Thomas Chapel Church, near Lebanon. In her spare time she enjoyed watching and feeding hummingbirds, and also liked oil painting. She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed Max Lucado books. Her little dog ?Cappie? was the light of her life. She was loved by everyone and touched everyone she met in a positive way. She loved her family dearly and they and her friends lovingly referred to her as ?Mamm?. Thelma was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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