Eugene Clay, Sr.

Eugene “Jim” Clay, Sr., was born on June 29, 1947, in Bolton, Mississippi to the late Lucy Tyler and P.M. Clay. Jim departed this life on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at home in Bolton, Mississippi – surrounded by his wife and son.

Eugene “Jim” Clay, Sr. attended Sumner Hill High School in Clinton, Mississippi. He began his professional career with Dunn Construction Company and was employed for 26 years, holding positions such as brick mason, carpenter and Foreman. In order to perfect his craft, he decided to pursue a certificate in carpentry at Hinds Community College in Pearl, Mississippi.

Jim accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He joined Orange Hill M.B. Church under the leadership of the late Reverend John L. Brown and current Pastor Albert Lewis. He served as a Sunday School teacher for the men’s group, Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of the Deacon Board, and a Trustee. He was also a member of Prince Hall Freemasonry. He was a solid leader in the church and community and always believed in helping others. He was a great bible scholar – he could direct you to a passage in the bible for whatever concern orissue you are experiencing in life. Jim was a firm believer in always putting the Lord first in all his endeavors and strongly emphasized this to his family and others. Prior to his health declining in April, he was at church every time the doors were opened. He was a faithful servant until the end.

Before Jim’s decline in health, he was a “Jack of All Trades”. During his spare time, he enjoyed working on house and car projects and watching sports. However, those who knew him, knew that his favorite hobby of all time was hunting. Rain, sleet, or snow there was no interrupting his Saturdays. He was loved by many and was the jokester at every setting. He displayed an energy that you could easily gravitate to.

On August 30, 1970, he married the love of his life, Mary Brister. They resided in East Palo Alto, California, for a couple of years, where they gave birth to their only child, Eugene Clay, Jr. They would eventually move to Jackson, Mississippi, where they would settle as a family. They celebrated nearly 53 years of marriage.

Jim was very family oriented and always provided for his family and believed in protecting them at all costs, but would still find time to attend his son’s baseball games. He supported his son in whatever dreams or aspirations he strived for, as long as it wasn’t illegal activity. He would quickly tell Junior, “Don’t call this house if you need bail money for jail unless it’s for self-defense. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long week or weekend for you.” He did not tolerate stupidity. If you stayed under his roof, you were going to somebody’s church on Sunday, regardless ofhow late you hung out on Saturday nights. That included visitors as well.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Milton Clay, and a beloved granddaughter, LaPorcsha Clay.

Eugene leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Mary Brister Clay of Bolton, MS; son, Eugene (Denette) Clay, Jr. of Arlington, TX; two granddaughters, Sydney and Jordyn Clay of Arlington, TX; two brothers, Fred (Shirley) Clay of Las Vegas, NV, and Percy (Flora) Clay of East Palo Alto, CA; five sisters, Susie M. Clay of Georgia, Ruth Lewis of Chicago, IL, Margaret Stutts of Smyrna, DE, Fleccie Wilson of Flora, MS, and Annie Jones of East Palo Alto, CA; honorary grandchildren, Destinee and Brendon Jackson of Flora, MS; and a host of nephews, nieces,cousins, church family, and friends.