Obituaries
Charles Phillip Clay
October 19, 1932 - January 26, 2013
Visitation:
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 11am at United Missionary Baptist Church 719 18th Ave. Middletown, Ohio
Service:
Thursday, 11am at United Missionary Baptist Church 719 18th Ave. Middletown, Ohio
Interment:
Woodside Cemetery
CLAY, Charles Phillip was born on October 19, 1932 and departed this life on January 26, 2013. He was the son of Archie Clay, Sr. and Freddie Mae Holland Clay. His parents, brother, Archie Clay, Jr., stepmother, Florine Clay, and stepdaughter, Janet Jones, brother-in-law, James Richards, Sr., and sister-in-law Roni Ward preceded him in death. Often referred to as "Father Time," Charles was not handicapped by the circumstances that surrounded his life. His mother's illness was cause for him to live in and out of foster care and orphanages until his father's return from military service and marriage to his stepmother. As a preteen and teenager, Charles was active in the Jr. Olympics sponsored by WKRC Radio. He graduated from Wyoming High School, Wyoming, Ohio. He developed a love for sports at an early age, and was a first string defensive half back on the Wyoming High School football team, and a member of the WHS track and field team. Charles' track and field team won the 1950 Class B State Championship. Charles finished first in the 1951 Mill Creek Valley Interscholastic League 880 yard run. He was Vice President of the Youth Conference, and President of the 1951 Youth Conference. He attended Miami University and was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Charles served in the Military during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He had an outstanding career with the United States Postal Service and, after 33 years of service, retired as a LSM Supervisor. Charles Phillip was an avid reader who could intelligently hold a conversation on almost any subject. He joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lockland, Ohio at an early age. He never changed his membership but, as a dedicated husband, Charles attended and supported the programs of the United Missionary Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio. He was an enthusiastic sports fan and always cheered for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds. Charles Phillip Clay was undeniably a gentleman. He was loved by all who had the privilege to meet and interact with him. He will be sorely missed by his wife, Gloria; stepchildren, Stanley, Curtis (Tracy), and Barry Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Ada Clay; sister-in-law, Shirley Clay; special cousins, Jimmie and Carole Ellis; nieces and nephews, David Clay, Donna Dubois (Bishop Mark); Bishop Donald Clay, Jr. (Elder Lisa), Johnita Ross, Sonia Craig, Rodney, Marisa, Chauncey, and Edward Clay; Regina Shoulders, and Vitina Holmes (Curtis); brothers and sisters-in-law, Doris Jackson (Charles), Sylvester Richards, Jr. (Martha), Freddie Richards (Lolita), Gola Wolf Richards (Rachel), and Goldia Johnson; Godsons, Keith, Kenneth and Kendall Henderson; loving family members from Detroit, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio; and a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles' memory to the Alzheimer's Association 644 Linn St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45203. Funeral services will be Thursday, 11am at United Missionary Baptist Church 719 18th Ave. Middletown, Ohio. Friends may call from 10am until time of service. Rev. Greg Tyus, Pastor. Interment at Woodside Cemetery.