Ms. Annie Walker Clemmons-Clay

Ms. Annie Walker Clemmons Clay 92, of Charlotte, North Carolina transitioned into eternal life on Saturday, October 15th 2016. Annie affectionately called “Maw Maw” by her family, was born March 22, 1924 in Eatonton, Georgia to the late Jack and Annie Reid Clemmons Wong. She was educated in Eatonton, GA and later married the late Johnnie Lee Clay and moved to Hickory, North Carolina where they raised a beautiful family. Annie was a faithful member of Morning Star First Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina. There she served on the Missionary Board and the Ushers Ministry. Annie was known as the matriarch of the family. She was also called “Aunt Annie” by some, most of whom were not even blood related. Her home was always open, filled with love as refuge for many. Aunt Annie was known for her down home southern meals that were legendary as she had a passion for cooking extravagant meals for her family and those friends who joined. She loved to go shopping, traveling, fishing, gardening and playing bingo. She was in a bowling league, staying active throughout her journey in life. Every day she woke up in the morning she would put on her red lip stick, telling us all “you have to be presentable all of the time, you never know who will be on the other side of the door”. “If you stayed ready you don’t have to get ready”. In the year of 1963, the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Annie became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she was a lifetime member. Ms. Clay retired from Radiators Specialist in Charlotte. Every holiday or whenever family came into town, everyone would gather at Annie’s house to indulge in some great food and fellowship. Almost every summer Annie and her family would visit Hickory to see her family there and later years they would do the same in Washington, D.C. area around the 4th of July. Annie Walker Clemmons Clay will truly be missed by her family and all that knew her as she lived her life to the fullest. Whether it be cooking, gardening, fishing or merely making sure to look presentable at all times, all of Annie’s family still has a piece or her legacy to uphold in some fashion. Annie was preceded in death by one son Ozzie Clay; four sisters Cecilia Wong Norton, Jackie Pearl Rutherford, Evelyn C. Thompson and Alice Holder; two brothers Leonard Lem Clemmons Sr. and Charles James Clemmons. Left to cherish Annie’s legacy are loving children, two sons Leonard Clay of Maryland and Edward Clay (Rose) of Charlotte, NC; three daughters Linda Clay Grier of Charlotte, NC, Debra and Denise Clay of Durham, NC; brothers Luther Clyde Clemmons (Yvonne) of Charlotte, NC, Younger Wong (Mary) and Julian Clemmons of Maryland; one sister Barbara Clemmons White of Flovilla, GA; one granddaughter Stefanie Clay of Charlotte, NC; six grandsons Leonard Eugene Clay of Maryland, Don Clay of Charlotte, NC, Artie Grier, III (Larnese) of Charlotte, NC, Mike Clay (Meeka) of Charlotte, NC, Eric Clay (KellyAnn) of Atlanta, GA and Allen Grier of Charlotte, NC; 8 great grandchildren; host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Ms. Annie Walker Clemmons-Clay

March 22, 1924 - October 15, 2016