Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville for Mr. James L. “Jim” Clay Jr., 63, of Coffeeville, who died on Thursday, April 21, in Oxford. He will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 25, in Gulde Cemetery in Brandon. The Rev. Craig Baker and the Rev. Truman Scarborough will officiate. Visitation was held from 2 p.m. until service time on Sunday, April 24, at the church.
Jim was born in Ripley, the son of James and Marjorie Payne Clay. He was a loving and loyal big brother to Robert Clay (Molly) of Madison, Myrna Clay Pipkin (Frank) of Batesville and Paula Clay Sudduth (Larry) of Orange Beach, Ala., and uncle to Lydia Pipkin Harris, Laurie Clay Harcrow and J.W. Pipkin. He was also a beloved nephew or “cotton picker” as his uncles liked to call him of Frances Payne, Ronnie Clay (Henrietta), Ike Clay (Lana) and Hugh Clay.
Jim attended Coffeeville High School followed by a stint at Northwest Community College where he was studying to be a diesel mechanic. His college career was interrupted by true love when he met and married the first of his five wives there, one of which he married twice. After college, Jim worked a variety of jobs. The most interesting was when he drove migrant workers to farms all over the Florida Keys. It was during this time that he was able to enjoy his favorite pastime, fishing. He also owned his own steam cleaning business for a while, cleaning commercial vent hoods for restaurants.
Jim Clay was ready to depart this world and be with his parents. He stated that he knew what he wanted and was going with them this time when they came to get him. How fortunate for him that he knew where he was going and that his family was waiting for him there.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Jim’s honor be directed to First Baptist Church in Coffeeville where he attended growing up or Calvary Baptist Church where he attended as an adult and was baptized.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
