Elizabeth Ann Ritter Clay

PARIS - Elizabeth Ann Ritter Clay, 85, co-owner of Canefield Farm in Paris, KY, died at her home of 70 years on Sat, May 5, 2007. She had been married for almost 60 years to James E. Clay, who died on April 15, 2006. Ann Ritter, the daughter of Beatrice Shuttleworth and Richard Wallace Ritter, was born in Amsterdam, NY on July 6, 1921 and moved to Parris, KY with her family in 1936. She graduated from Stuart Hall in Staunton, VA and attended the University of Kentucky where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Over the years, she remained active in different civic and community organizations, including the Paris-Bourbon County Library, the Paris Historical Society, the First Presbyterian Church, and, during World War II, the American Red Cross. She had a keen interest in thoroughbred breeding and racing as well as sports and outdoors activities of many types. With her husband, she was a member of the Keeneland Club, the thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and Idle Hour Country Club. She is survived by her younger brother, Jarrell David Ritter of Paris and by three daughters, Sara Clay Branch of Paris, Beatrice Clay Moran of North East, MD and Mary Woodford Clay Smith of Paris. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Beatrice Clay Branch, Mary Sihler Branch, James Marston Clay Smith, Elizabeth Ann Tucker Smith, and George Reade Gilpin Smith and by her sons-in-law, George S. Branch, James M. Moran, and J. David Smith, Jr. Graveside services will be held on Tue, May 8 at 11am at the Paris Cemetery by Reverend David  Chumney. Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Main Street in Lexington, is in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Blue Grass or the First Presbyterian Church in Paris.