Obituaries

John “Jay” Garland Clay, Jr., age 73, died Saturday, December 28, 2013 at his home in Lincolnton, NC with his family and close friends by his side.

His funeral will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at Victory Grove Baptist Church with Rev. David Jarrell officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2013 at Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton.

Mr. Clay was born on July 15, 1940 in Dott, West Virginia and was the son of the late John G. Clay, Sr. and Grace Bailey Clay.  He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Mary Clay, seven brothers, seven sisters and one grandson, Kevin Hall. Mr. Clay was a veteran of the United States Army and after retiring as a coal miner worked for Steven’s Motors in Lincolnton and most recently worked as an attendant at the Lincoln County Airport Convenience Site where he enjoyed meeting and talking with the people he met.  He was a faithful member of Victory Grove Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, being involved with many other church activities and baby sitting his “church babies”, Montgomery and Autumn, during choir practice.  Mr. Clay enjoyed being with his family.  He had many special people in his life, but he loved everyone.

Survivors include his wife, Gay Dulus Clay of the home; one daughter, Tammy Hall and husband, Billy of Belwood, NC; three sons, John Clay III of Lincolnton, NC, Tim Clay and fiancée, Leslie of Rockmart, GA. and Donald Clay and wife, Willa of Icard, NC; two brothers, Glennes Clay and fiancée, Betty of Hudson, NC, and Jeremy Clay and wife, Melissa of Hildebran, NC; one sister, Mary “Libby” Mullins of Connelly Springs, NC; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two special sisters-in-law, Opal Shrewsbury and Nina Shrewsbury of Beeson, WV; special friends, Audrey and Eugene Lefeber of Lincolnton, NC and many nieces and nephews.