Suellen Clay

Suellen (Gaiter) Clay, 88, of Keyser, West Virginia transitioned from this life on December 6, 2025. She lived the past four years with her daughter, Leontyne (Clay) Peck and son-in-Law, Lyle Peck at Lake Monticello, Virginia.
Born on September 19, 1937 in Petersburg, WV to the late Solomon and Mabel (Redman) Gaiter, she was the last surviving member of her family. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, George "Bill" Gaiter, Ardella (Gaiter) Redman, John N. Gaiter, Willie Ralph Gaiter, Vernon Gaiter, Mary Elizabeth Gaiter and Evaline Gaiter. In addition to her siblings, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Llewendolyn Clay and Cynthia (Clay) Stradwick and her former husband, Russell Clifton Clay, Sr.
"Miss Sue," "Granny," or "Suzy" as she was affectionately called by family and friends was a native of Petersburg, West Virginia. She attended the Town Hill Colored Elementary School and Sanders High School in Moorefield, WV. During her formative years, she was active in 4-H, Drum & Bugle Corp-as a Majorette and the Petersburg Methodist Church. She also spent many fun days with her friends "borrowing" cooling pies from Aunt Vernie's windowsill. She loved music, dancing and West Virginia. Everywhere she went she made sure that people knew that she was from West Virginia. She retired from the West Virginia Department of Social Services after twenty-two years of service.
Suellen was active for many years with the Piedmont VFW Auxiliary 5957 and the Nancy Hanks VFW Auxiliary. She served in many leadership roles including serving three consecutive terms as President of Aubrey Robert Stewart Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary District 4 President. Her passion was service to children and veterans' programs.
Surviving are her children, Russell "Rusty" Clay, Jr. and wife, Lois of New Creek, WV, Leontyne (Clay) Peck and husband Lyle of Lake Monticello, VA, and Roderick O. Clay and his wife, Joann of Chesapeake, VA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Douglas Clay and wife Flo, Shamona Spencer, Aleisha Garland and husband Charles, Amber Clay, Andrea Clay, Russell Clay, III and wife Danielle, Raphael Clay and wife Sammie, Whitney Clay, Alexis Peck and Erica Clay; and great grandchildren, Jarrel Clay, Gerry Cook, II, Guy Thomas, II, Kaden Garland, Kyren Garland, Keenan Redman, Avion Redman, Ava Clay, Nyah Harrison, Eli Myers, Lenox Clay, Jorydan Hart and Randell Holt III. She is also survived by her special nephew, Wayne Redman of Baltimore, Maryland and her cherished and loved special friends, Wanda Twyman, Beverly Hill, Barbara Beckwith, Darlene Harman and Connie Hayes.
Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel on Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 11:00am-1:00pm. Funeral Services will follow immediately at 1:00pm with Minister Christopher Taylor officiating.
Interment will be in the Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser, WV.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to JABA, 674 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901 in honor and memory of Suellen Clay.