Regina Bernadette Clay

Regina Bernadette (Fox) Clay, a vibrant and loving member of her family and Catholic church community, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on October 3, 2025, in Chesapeake, Virginia. Born on September 22, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she lived an extraordinary life dedicated to her family, friends, and faith.
Regina started working at the age of 16 and spent the next 55 years working at various positions in Illinois, California, Tennessee and Kentucky, with her favorite being furniture sales in Tennessee. She had exceptional taste and left a lasting impact on her coworkers and customers. Throughout her life, she was known as the glue that held her family together, radiating warmth and love. She was a loving, caring, and passionate person who put everyone's needs and desires above her own.
A proud mother, Regina was blessed with the joy of watching her family grow. She is survived by her daughter Antoinette (Carl) Willmert and son Franklin (Kathy) Clay. She is also survived by stepsons Robert and Douglas (Jessica), and grandchildren Stephanie (Damian), Regina (Jason), Frankie Joe, David (Megan), Heather, Jason (Chio), Ginger (Nicole), Grace (Adam), Quinn, Ryan (Shelbie), Kari, and Michael as well as numerous great-grandchildren. Regina is also survived by beloved sisters Bernadette, Betty and Barbara, and sister-in-law Peggy. She was a cherished aunt to numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She enjoyed the moments she spent with all of her family.
Regina was preceded in death by her mother Antoinette Baerman, father George Fox, Sr., husband of 44 years Joe P. Clay, brothers Frank and George, Jr., sisters Alvaretta, Edith, Veronica, Donna and stepdaughters Heidi and Michelle.
In her spare time, Regina enjoyed engaging in various activities that brought her joy and fulfillment to include cooking, traveling, oil painting, bingo, dominoes and dice games. She loved God, family and church, and was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Regina's legacy of love, kindness, and devotion will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. Her presence will be profoundly missed, yet her spirit will continue to inspire those she left behind.
Graveside services for Regina will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Yadon Cemetery in Maynardville, Tennessee. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville