Mary Clay Walmsley

After 76 years of a good life, Mary passed away on February 25, 2025, due to a sudden and unexpected illness. Mary was a cherished and faithful friend to all who had the pleasure of her company, including family, fellow teachers, St. Mark's Cathedral Clergy and Altar Guild members, teammates, and many, many others. She literally never met a stranger and would befriend everyone without reservation.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Hunter Clay and Louise Flournoy Wilcox Clay, and other beloved family members from their respective forebearers. She is survived by her husband, Hugh Brian Walmsley Jr.; their son, Clay Brian Walmsley; and extended family.
Mary was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on October 21, 1948, and spent her early childhood there. The family subsequently moved to Wheat Ridge, Colorado, where she graduated from Wheat Ridge High School. After high school, her family returned to Natchitoches, where Mary enrolled in Northwestern State College and earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.
Mary began her teaching career in Caddo Parish and continued her own education during the summers, ultimately earning her master's degree from Northwestern. Her Teaching Certificate qualified Mary for many administrative positions, including principal, but she chose to stay in the classroom with the children. In her 33-year career, Mary instructed more than 1,000 students, including future civic leaders.
Two lives changed forever on November 3, 1973, when Mary and Hugh wed. Their union flourished for more than 51 years. The couple loved to travel. They visited major cities, scenic spots both on and off the beaten path, and national parks throughout the United States and Canada. Especially memorable were trips to Alaska and regular vacations to Pensacola, Florida, where Mary made many new friends at the beach. Friends, old and new, would call her to schedule their vacations for the same week as Mary. Fresh seafood and margaritas were always the order of the day.
In addition to travel, Mary loved sports, especially college football, baseball, and basketball. Her DVR worked overtime trying to record and play back all the events she wanted to watch. Mary also participated in sports during her lifetime. With some effort, she became a competent fisherman, and no bass was safe when she was on the lake with her expert guide, Hugh. Mary also took up bowling later and quickly mastered the game. She almost rolled a perfect game before "choking" in the tenth frame and missing her opportunity at teacher's league fame and immortality. Her true love, however, was slow-pitch softball. She was a great hitter with power but was a bit slow on the basepaths, often a source of good-natured ribbing from her fans and teammates. Eventually moving to pitcher, she remained tenacious, played pretty well, and refused to even consider that she might be just a little "over the hill" to continue to play so hard. Eventually, wisdom prevailed, and she reluctantly hung up her glove.
In the first half of her life, Mary was affectionately known simply as "Clay" by most who knew her and would readily respond to this moniker. Good-natured and fun-loving, Mary was quick to love, slow to anger, and always eager to counsel and assist any of her friends. There are far too few Mary "Clays" in our world. She will be missed.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 14, at St. Mark's Cathedral, 908 Rutherford St., Shreveport, Louisiana, 71104, with interment to follow in the Cathedral Columbarium.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert N. Batchelor, John R. Huffman, James E. King, Stuart A. Briscoe, Thomas D. Johnson, Arnold R. White, David French, Chris Stratton, Dr. Ed Gunter, and James D. Howard.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Mark's Cathedral Altar Guild, or a charity of choice.