Russell Clay

Russell Clay, 91 of Don Johnson Rd., Morganton, NC died Saturday, May 19, 2012 at his residence. Born October 7, 1920 in Greenup County, KY, he was a son of the late Russell and Nannie Florence Barnhardt Clay. Mr. Clay was a World War II U.S. Navy Pearl Harbor veteran and was a member of the V.F.W. on Hopewell Rd., Morganton. He was a member of Rainhill Wesleyan Church. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Jerald Curtis Clay; brothers, John Henry, Edsel, and Billy Ray Clay; and 4 infant siblings.Surviving are his wife, Merle L. Gillum Clay of the home; a son, Roger Stephen Clay and wife, Loralee of Minot, ND; step-children, Linda Johnson and husband, Don of Morganton, Dale Thompson and Sheron Tassis both of Michigan; 7 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brothers, Willard Clay of Portsmouth, OH and Ronald Clay of CA; sisters, Katherine Holcomb of Portsmouth, OH, Dorothy Oney of Las Vegas, NV, and Beverly Reeder of Firebrick, KY.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in the Roberson Funeral Home Chapel, South Shore, KY with the Rev. Jack Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Brickunion Cemetery, Greenup, KY. The family will receive friends at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton on Sunday, May 20 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at Roberson Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 22 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.