Sallie Clay

Sallie Lou Howell Clay

Sallie Lou Howell Clay, 91, a resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

She is survived by her three daughters, Julie Anna Clay of Albuquerque, NM, Tamara (Tammy) Clay of Shepherdstown, WV, and Charmaine Clay and her husband, Scott Willis of Piedmont, CA; grandchildren, Austin C. Willis of Brooklyn, NY and Sydney N. Willis of San Francisco, CA; and a number of nieces.

Sallie was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Nelson E. Clay; and son, Jon M. Clay; parents, James and Julia Howell; and brother, Edward and his wife, Dorothy Howell.

Sallie was born in Vienna, GA, on April 4, 1934 and raised mostly in Vienna and Marietta, GA. She graduated with a B.A. from the Georgia State College for Women and earned a Masters in Special Education from the University of Texas in Dallas. Sallie met her husband, Nelson Clay, from Macy, NE, while teaching at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD. She was a passionate teacher and advocate for persons with special needs, she also taught at: Cobb Highschool, in Smyrna, GA; Western Iowa Tech, in Sioux City, IA; Cherokee Junior High, in Cherokee, IA; Greenwood Development Center, in Richardson, TX; Los Lunas Hospital and Training School; and Los Lunas Public Schools in Los Lunas, NM.

Sallie volunteered tirelessly for the homeless, senior citizens, and the performing arts in Albuquerque, including: volunteering with the Albuquerque Public School Homeless Project; volunteering with the Musical Theater Southwest and UNM Popejoy Hall events; teaching American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) Safety Driving course; and helping Albuquerque residents with their taxes through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.

Sallie was also a Girl Scout leader for over ten years in Sioux City, IA, and Browning, MT. As one co-volunteer said, "Sallie was my favorite kind of person - strong, determined, no nonsense but with a sense of humor, and uber capable. Sallie definitely will be greatly missed." Throughout her years, Sallie kept busy with many other activities and hobbies, such as: sewing, beading, gardening, caring for her cat(s), and traveling around the world.

Sallie also belonged to a number of professional organizations, such as the Los Lunas National Education Association, PRO (Parents Reaching Out), American Association of University Women, Council for Exceptional Children, and the AARP.

Sallie was a woman of faith and a long-time active member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, in Albuquerque, NM. She will be truly and deeply missed by all that knew her. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life/memorial service for family and friends will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m., on October 11, 2025 at the Chapel in Manzano Del Sol, located at 5201 Roma Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108. Please visit our online guestbook for Sallie at www.FrenchFunerals.com.