FLORETTA ELLEN CLAY

Floretta Ellen Clay, age 88, of LaBelle, MO,, died July 29, 2015, in the Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton, Mo.

She was born July 23, 1927, at Monticello, Mo., the daughter of Charles and Idabelle Hazelwood Tate. She was united in marriage to Harold Clay, Sr. on January 1, 1950, at Canton, Mo., and he preceded her in death on May 25, 2000.

Floretta received her education in Lewis County. She had been employed at Agnes Caf and Parrish Place Motel in LaBelle, and worked for several years as a CNA at Prairie View Nursing Home (now Country Aire Retirement Estates). Floretta never met a stranger. She enjoyed sewing, baby sitting, cooking, picnics and spending time with her grandkids.

Surviving are five daughters, Dianne Kay Clay of LaBelle, Ella Clay and Roy of LaBelle, Reba Sharp of LaBelle, Charlene Colman of LaBelle, and Mildred Clay and David of Canton, Mo., four sons, Harold Clay, Jr. and Cindy of Bettendorf, Iowa, Virgil Clay and Hattie of Springfield, Ill., Larry Clay and Sandra of Keokuk, Iowa, and Wilbert Clay and Christine of Palmyra, Mo., numerous grandchildren (last count 329), three sisters Louise Orange and Delores Weathers both of Canton, Mo., and Martha Washington of Peoria, Ill., numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Floretta was also preceded in death by her parents, one son David Wayne Clay and two daughters Lori Ann Clay and Gracie Jean Smith, one granddaughter Rose Smith, two grandsons, Freddrick Jr. Smith and Roy Lee Clay, three great grandsons, Nathaniel, Wesley and Shannon Clay, one great-great grandson, Dadn Smith, and two great-great granddaughters, Faith Clay and Nyla Clay, two sisters, Wilma Miller and Mary Tate and one brother George Dade.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 6, 2015, in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Mo. Pastor James Salter will officiate the services. Casket bearers will be Lorenzo Clay, David Clay, David C. Clay, Cory Tournear, Josh Clay and Gerald Smith. Honorary bearers will be Shawn Clay, Douglas clay, Malique Clay and Dana Parrish.

Burial will be in the LaBelle Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Floretta Clay Family. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO, 63447.