Artie Mae Clay

Artie Mae Rankin Clay, age 99, of Casa, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025. Artie was born on August 7, 1925, to Artie Edmond and Emma Alice Moore Rankin in Perryville, Arkansas. After graduating from Perryville High School in 1944, she started her first job as a clerk in the Perry County Draft Office and then in the Perry County Extension Service. In 1945, Artie met William Earl “Peat” Clay of Adona, Arkansas. Artie and Peat married in 1948 and moved to Manteca, California where she worked at Tracey Army Depot as a supply clerk. While in California, she and Peat had two children, Bill and Jim. In 1954, they returned to Adona, started a farm and had two more children, Peggy and Ronnie. In 1988, after 18 years, Mrs. Clay retired from Perryville Public Schools as Cafeteria Manager. Artie was a Christian and member of Perryville First Baptist Church since 1938. Her hobbies included cross-stitching and quilting. She was a lifelong fan of the Perryville Mustangs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mrs. Clay was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, William Earl “Peat” Clay, daughter, Peggy Jo Clay of Little Rock, Arkansas, granddaughter, Courtney Michelle Clay of Conway, Arkansas, sisters, Mary Alice Rankin Warner of Grand Saline, Texas, and Helen Lee Rankin Magie of Perryville, Arkansas, and brother, Willie Q. Rankin of St. Paul, Minnesota. Artie is survived by three children: Bill Clay (Janet) of Conway, Arkansas, Jim Clay (Judy) of Conway, Arkansas, and Ronnie Clay (Kristi) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; six grandchildren: Jessica Zimmerman, Justin Clay (Kendra), Emily Woodell (Alex), Nathan Woodell (Abby), Megan Knight (Spencer) and Mason Clay (Athen); and 9 great-grandchildren; Cross Clay, Cohen Clay, Collier Clay, Stella Zimmerman, Perry Zimmerman, Zeke Zimmerman, Levi Knight, Emma Knight, Riggins Clay, and two more great-grandsons on the way. A celebration of life service will be held at First Baptist Church, Perryville, Arkansas, on Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 A.M. with visitation preceding the service at 9:00 A.M. The church is located at 207 4th Street. Burial will be at Fowler Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fowler Cemetery Memorial Fund at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Perryville, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Bill Clay, Jim Clay, Ronnie Clay, Justin Clay, Nathan Woodell, and Mason Clay.

Artie Mae Clay

August 7, 1925 - January 13, 2025