Joe Clay Crum

Joseph Clay Crum, 81, of Holts Summit (formerly Vienna) was born February 7, 1944, in Vienna, Missouri. He was a son of Joseph Columbus and Louisa Marie (Frey) Crum. Joe Clay ascended into Heaven May 12th, 2025, surrounded by his family, who were praying over him and shouting "run to Jesus" as he entered through the Pearly Gates.
Joe Clay attended Little Flock/Mayflower, a one room schoolhouse, riding daily in a panel bus: followed by Little Flock School and Vienna High School. He graduated in 1962. On November 13, 1976, he married Mary Jane (Roark) Tellman.
After Joe Clay graduated high school, his accomplishments were many. Accomplishments included owning and operating a Western Auto Store alongside his parents, working at Langenberg Hat Factory, selling Mark Twain Life Insurance, and selling cars for Beck Motors, before ultimately finding his passion in politics. His desire was to make a difference for the people of his district.
In 1975, Joe Clay took office after running in his first race and went on to serve as Maries County Clerk for the next 19 years. Upon leaving office in December 1994, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives serving the 112th district (Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties of Missouri). While serving as a State Representative, one of Joe Clay's greatest accomplishments was his instrumental role in house bill 103, which established Linn State Technical College. Additionally, during his two years in the state legislature, though he was involved in many bills, only one was passed and turned into state law that bears his name as sponsor of the legislation. That was HB 1168 in 1996 which requires all state flags to be flown at half-mast on National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 each year. When you see the state flag flying at half-mast, just know Joe Clay wanted to make sure the state honored all fallen officers for their sacrifice.
He served on the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, served as a trustee of the Missouri Baptist Foundation, and worked in the Missouri Association of Counties. Until his retirement, he worked for the Missouri Department of Revenue in the tax fraud department, and Sears Department Store. During his time in politics, he loved to travel to Washington, DC. where he met with many dignitaries working on various political issues.
Joe Clay was known as a straight shooter. He always had a word to say, was a hard worker and had a love for acts of service toward others. Joe Clay loved cowboy hats, cowboy boots, animals (especially horses), bluegrass music, playing the guitar, farming, old cars, but most of all he loved Jesus and sharing the plan of salvation. While Joe Clay accepted Jesus into his heart at the age of 7, he went on to serve as Deacon of Little Flock Baptist Church and was recognized as the longest surviving member of the church in 2024. Joe Clay's ultimate accomplishment was his final race, as he ran through the pearly gates into eternity, to meet Jesus face-to-face.
His final act of earthly kindness was to donate his pacemaker to a Missouri Veterinary program that accepts human pacemakers to benefit cardiac animal patients facing similar ailments.
He leaves behind his family which includes his wife, Mary Jane "his blue eyed blonde", his children, Jeff (Chris) Tellman, Meta; Mary Crum (partner Rick) Crow, Minnesota; Mark Joseph (partner Donna) Crum, Missouri; Greg (Taris) Tellman, Eugene; Stacey (Skip) Slayton, North Carolina; and Catherine Crum (Kirk) Thompson, Jefferson City; as well as 15 grandchildren and spouses; 17 great grandchildren; sister, Lourea Cook, Belle; his very special Aunt Bonnie, Westphalia; Uncle Junior, Vienna; and numerous family and friends.
Joe Clay is proceeded in death by his parents; son, Kevin Tellman; grandson, Codi Slayton; son-in-law, Bill Crow; daughter-in-law, Michelle Crum, and brother-in-law, Buddy Cook.
Visitation will be held for Joe Clay on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 12 p.m. until the time of his service at 2 pm. It will be held outside near the archway at Little Flock Baptist Church, Vienna, Missouri.
A private interment will be held in the Little Flock Cemetery, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
He would want you to come as you are. Feel free to wear bib overalls (Joe Clay's favorite), blue jeans, hats, boots, or anything that you feel would honor him.
In lieu of flowers donations are requested to "Codi's Hope" the future home of an orphanage in Honduras in honor of Joe Clay's grandson Codi. Go to www.louderthanwords.org. and click on "Codi's Hope".