Julia Mae Clay

Julia Mae Clay, 91, of Eakly, OK passed from this life Monday morning August 29, 2011 in a car accident. She was born November 23rd, 1919 at Bebee, OK to Matthew Franklin and Bertha Mae (Prewitt) Standridge. Mae's mother died when she was very small. Her father moved the family back to Arkansas so he would have help raising his small children. Matthew remarried and more children were added to this family. Life was hard for the family. Mae had to work hard form the time she was little. Mae went to grade school at Gravel Hill, Arkansas. The school only went to the eighth grade. The students had to go to Dover, AR for high school. The bus from Dover didn't go all the way to Gravel Hill to pick up kids. Mae was going to miss high school if she couldn't catch the bus. Her teacher for several years at Gravel Hill was Ethel McClain. She knew how much Mae wanted to go to high school so she and her husband Joe decided to ask, Mae's father if she could live with them and go to high school. He agreed. Mae was quite surprised and excited about this opportunity. Going to high school was one of her dreams. Mae started Dover high school in the fall of 1935. At Christmas break the McClain's moved the family to Sickles, OK where Mae attended and graduated from high school in May of 1939. She was a good student and was an excellent basketball player and active in the 4-H Club. Mae married Floyd Henry Clay September 14, 1939 at his parent's home west of Sickles and he preceded her in death August 10, 1991. In January of 1940 the family moved into their new home west of Eakly near Cobb Creek. She lived there until her passing. Two sons and two daughters were born to them. She was a good wife and mother. She worked in the fields alongside Floyd, hoeing, moving pipe, driving tractor, or whatever needed to be done. The youngest son Raymond was left with special needs after suffering from encephalitis of the brain. She cared for Raymond at home until the fall of 2006. She always had time for the children's school activities. She was a wonderful cook. Each child and grandchildren had their favorite dish. Mae has always been very active in the United Methodist Church where she held may church offices through the years and an active member of the United Methodist Women's Organization. Mae has always loved music and was a very good singer. She and Floyd sang many duets at church services and funerals for years. She has always been extremely generous in helping the ministers and their families. In May 2000, Mae received the Angel Laity Award, given by the Clergy Spouse Organization of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference. Brenda Payne, wife of pastor Virgil Payne nominated Mae for this award.

Survivors include two sons:
John Clay and wife, Wilma, Carnegie, OK
Raymond Clay, Corn, OK
foster brother:
Ben McClain, Lookeba, OK
two daughters:
Mary Luper and husband, Bill, Eakly, OK
Margaret Milliorn and husband, Mack, McKinney, TX
five grandchildren:
Donna Snyder and husband, John, Minco, OK
Charles Luper and wife, Christy, Stillwater, OK
Robert Luper and wife, Andi, Oklahoma City, OK
Anita Wingfield and husband, Randy, Oklahoma City, OK
Steven Clay, Carnegie, OK
ten great grandchildren, Whitney Taylor, Ethan and Carson Snyder, Caden and Calyssa Luper, Ryden and Rhett Luper, Clayton, Christina, and Cameron Wingfield.
two sisters:
Thelma Hall, Madera CA
Rachel Stout, Arkansas

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Elmer, M.T., Devoid, Robert, and Raymond Standridge, three sisters, Mary Ellen Martin, and two infants.

Family will receive friends Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 6:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home in Carnegie, OK

Services: 10:30a.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at the United Methodist Church, Carnegie, OK
Burial will follow at the Alfalfa Cemetery, Alfalfa, OK
Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Carnegie, OK

Memorials can be made to:
Eakly United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 312
Eakly, OK 73033