Gay Josephine "Claytor" Ryder

Gay Josephine "Claytor" Ryder

Gay Josephine "Claytor" Ryder, 89, widow of Paul B. Ryder, of Waynesboro, died Sunday, September 7, 2008, at Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville.

She was born April 21, 1919 in Crimora, a daughter of the late Dorsey and Nannie Blackwell Claytor.

Prior to retirement, following 25 years of service, she had been employed at General Electric.

She was a member of Smyrna Presbyterian Church, where she had severed many years and touched many lives as a devoted Sunday School Teacher, served as deacon and elder of the church.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Calvin Claytor; and one sister, Dorothy Claytor Rowzie.

She is survived by three daughters, Wanda Grove of Waynesboro, Charlotte Cale and her husband, Bob, of Waynesboro, and Betty May and her husband, Hampton, of New Hope; and a son, Richard and his wife, Emily, of Grottoes. She is also survived by nine grandchildren:,Robbie Cale and his wife, Debbie, of Fishersville, Donna May of Charlottesville, Charles May of Rural Hall, North Carolina, Terrie Cale of Fishersville, Tracy Rohrbaugh and her husband, Chuck, of Wayensboro, Dennis Grove and his wife, Tijana, of New Have, Connecticut, Cindy Chiarello and her husband, Mike, of Waynesboro, Christopher Ryder and his fiancee', Yali Bonin-Cooper, of Miami, Florida, and Jennifer Ryder of Grottoes; 11 great-grandchildren, Ryan Cale, Joshua Cale, Serena, Caitlin, Joey and Dalton Rohrbaugh, Anthony Greaver, Brett Williams, Hannah Cale, Samuel Grove and Marija Grove; one great-great-grandson, Anthony Williams. She is also survived by a sister, Lucille Claytor Smulsky; a brother, Warner Claytor and his wife, Juanita; and a sister-in-law, Mabel Claytor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.

A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2008, in the Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Waynesboro Chapel by the Reverend William Heyward. Burial will follow at Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Bobby Meek, Bob Campbell, Jack Caraway, Benny Flory, Emmett Kerby, Larry May, Reggie Hiner, and Tim Byrd.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ladies Sunday School Class, session members and friends of Smyrna who will be attending the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Smyrna Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 174 Dooms Crossing Road, Waynesboro, VA 22980-8946.

The family would like to express their thanks and apprecation for the wonderful care given to their mother by Dr. Patterson and his staff, Dr. Meredith at AMC, and the caring nursing staff at AMC. Also special thanks to Hospice for their care and concern.

Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the register book on-line at www.reynoldsfuneralservices.com.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.