Shirley Clay

Shirley Ann (Ross) Clay was born on September 11, 1938 in Lexington,
Kentucky, to the late Russell M. Dishman and the late Jennie Mae Williams
Sanders. In 1948, she moved to Lockland, Ohio with her mother and grandparents,
the late Clarence and the late Annabelle Williams.
Shirley, confessed her faith in Christ at an early age. She was baptized at Mt.
Zion Baptist Church in Lockland, Ohio, under the pastorate of Rev. M.C. Coleman.
She was a faithful member of the Jr. Usher Board for several years.
She was a graduate of Wyoming High School, in Wyoming, Ohio. She had 2
years of college experience at the UECU’s University Without Walls (UWW)
program in Cincinnati, Ohio in which she became a Social Worker. She was a
former employee for The Winton Terrace Guild in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also
worked as a Senior Companion with Oak and Acorn Senior Companions in
Louisville, Kentucky. She also was a former member of the following: AARP Club,
The Blanton House Welcome Committee, and also an Assistant Scholarship
Chairperson of The Louisville Chapter of the Kentucky Rendezvous, Inc., Social
and Community Club. While living there at her place of residence (The Blanton
House Apartments of Louisville, KY), she participated in the Pool Tournaments and
won numerous trophies.
She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Archie Clay, Jr. To this union, 9
children were born: four daughters who are still living, Sonia Clay Craig, Marisa
(Clay) Williams, (twin daughters) Vitina (Clay) Holmes and Regina (Clay)
Shoulders, and three sons who are still living, Rodney Clay, Shauncey Clay and
Edward Clay (Eddie). Two twin daughters who preceded her in death; one was
given a name, Sheila Clay and her twin (who was stillborn) was not given a name.
Shirley also had one oldest daughter from a previous relationship, Johnita L. Ross
by the late John “Bunchie” Perry. All together she had 10 children.
In 1994, Shirley moved to Louisville, Kentucky where she joined Community
Temple Methodist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Ernest Nelson. There she
joined the Usher Board. Later, under the pastorate of Rev. Larry R. Riley, she
joined the Missionary Society and was a dedicated and faithful member.
Family members who preceded her in death are as follows: Ethel M. Dishman
(step-sister) and William “Bill” Dishman (step-brother), both from Lexington, KY,
who both later resided in Louisville, KY at the time of their death; Stanley Dishman
(cousin); Michael Howard (nephew); Pearline Wallace Dishman Jones (stepmother);
Robert Williams, Sr. (uncle); Laura (Jackie) Williams (aunt); Buster
Williams (uncle) and George Williams (uncle); Charles P. Clay (brother-in-law); and
a host of other aunts, uncles and cousins.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving family members: three sons,
Rodney A., Shauncey B. and Edward V. (Eddie) Clay; five daughters, Johnita L.
Ross, Sonia M. Clay, Marisa L. Clay (Williams), Vitina M. (Curtis) Holmes and
Regina L. Clay (Shoulders); 29 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; Don
Williams (Evelyn) and family of Cincinnati, OH, Rosalind Williams of Dayton, OH,
Gwendolyn Hefflin (Thomas) of Suffolk, VA, Brenda Williams Lewis (Rodney) of
Dayton, OH, Robert Gerald Williams, Jr. (Claudia) of Columbus, OH, Jan Williams
(Janice) of Dayton, OH, Darryl Williams of Dayton, OH and Lawrence Dennis
Williams (Kathy) of Dayton, OH; Gloria D. Clay (sister-in-law) of Middletown, OH,
Donald and Ada Clay (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) of Cincinnati, OH, Patricia
Dishman (sister-in-law) of Lexington, KY; Stephanie (Gerry) Wilson (niece and
nephew-in-law), Keith “Buster” and Reginald Dishman (nephews), all of Louisville,
KY; William Jr. (nephew), Chantelle (niece) and Aaron Dishman (nephew), all of
Lexington, KY; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews,
daughters-in-law and sons-in-law.
Special close, dear and devoted friends who made a difference in her life: Frankie
J. Thomas (Doreen), Rose Neal, Jessie Riley, all of Cincinnati, OH and Diane (King)
Flora of Louisville, KY.
Shirley, had a kind word, a beautiful smile, a loving, caring, and humble heart not
just for her many family and friends, but for everyone she met.