Obituary of Mary Lee Carrie Clay

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. MARY LEE CARRIE MILBURN CLAY, the 6th child and the first daughter of the late Horace E. Milburn, Sr. and the late Bertha B. V. Milburn, was born on January 29, 1938. Mary was a loving and caring, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Mary received her education in the Baltimore Public School system. She was one of the famous "Douglass Ducks." She furthered her education at Community College of Baltimore, where she studied in their Early Childhood Education Program. As teenagers, Mary and her sisters Bertha and Evelyn formed a singing group, The Milburn Sisters. They went from recreation center to recreation centers entertaining by singing the latest hits at local talent shows. Mary was joined in holy matrimony to the late Jerry M. Clay, Sr. on May 22, 1956. From this union, nine children were born, five daughters and four sons. At the age of 11 years old, Mary gave her life to Christ at Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. V.V.K Stokes. Mary served diligently as a member of the Junior Choir, BYPU and Vacation Bible School. Life's journey took her on a different path, but as God would have it, Mary reinstated her membership at Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Herbal Edward and again under the leadership of Rev. Dr. William C. Calhoun, Sr. Mary worked in different area in Trinity, The Missionary Board, Women's Guild, Children Ministry, The Choir and Vacation Bible School. Mary was employed with Tubman Toys Store, a division of High Gear Stores, Baltimore Public Schools as Parent Home Coordinator, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Care Center as a Parent Coordinator, and Mulberry Senior Building as a Desk Manager. But her most cherished job was being a mother to her nine children. A gifted homemaker, Mary was known for saying, "I love all my kids the same." Mary loved and enjoyed serving people. She was very active in her community. She served as the Captain of Baltimore Clean Block every summer when she lived on Barclay Street. She also served as President of Mulberry Senior Board Tenants Association, the Planned Parenthood Board of Directors of Baltimore City. For years she enjoyed volunteering as a poll monitor and election judge during election time. Mary was one of the three-board members of The Lemon Family Reunion, serving alongside of her sisters. Serving as Treasurer of The Milburn Family Reunion division. Mary loved her family and loved to cook her favorite, macaroni and cheese, for family gatherings. Everybody loved her macaroni and cheese. She loved singing Gospel music and watching religious shows on television, such as Jimmy Swaggart. Daily, her television was singing and preaching, and she did not like if you changed the channel. She would say, "I love to hear the singing on the Jimmy Swaggart Show." God, in His infinite grace and wisdom, called Mary from labor to reward on August 10, 2023. Mary's family rejoices that her transition was both peaceful and surrounded by loved ones. To greet Mary at Heaven's gates were her husband, Jerry M. Clay, Sr.; two sons, Philip Clay and Charles Clay; one grandson, Stephen Clay; one great-grandson, Tayon A. Bethea; five brothers, Horace E. Milburn, Jr., Lewis T. Milburn, James W. Milburn, John L. Milburn, Sr. and Stephen T. Milburn; and one sister, Evelyn R. Robinson. She leaves to celebrate a wonderful and well lived life her devoted children, Sheila L. Washington, Jerry M. Clay, Jr. (Victoria), Mary Clay-Johnson (Levy), Anthony Clay (Margaret), Twanda King (Eric), Rochelle Clay, Cassandra Merritt (Sean) and Laura Dixon; one brother, George L. Milburn, Sr. (Barbara); three sisters, Bertha M. Blackwell, Henrietta C. Coward (Claude) and Mabel L. Milburn Jackson; 13 grandchildren, Sunetta Clay, Ashley Webb, Darryl Lowery, II, Anthony Clay, Jr, Reginald Jordan (Elizabeth), Ashata Thomace, Dimitri Clay, Dayvon Clay, Byron V. Hall, Chericle C. Clay, Montez J. Clay and Charles Sriggs; 15 great grandchildren; two godchildren , Kelly Jones Robinson and Teaunsha Robinson; five sisters-In-law; one brother-In-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Her favorite saying was, "Never Say Good-bye." Mary, we'll see you in the morning.