Obituary for Virgie Marie Clay (Mann)
Viewing will be 4PM-8PM Thursday with family present from 6PM-8PM and 4PM-8PM Friday at the funeral home. A funeral service to celebrate Virgie's life will be 12:30 PM, Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Rancho Village Baptist Church 1401 Johnston Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73119 with burial to follow at Amber Cemetery.
Virgie Marie Clay (Mann) born in Amber, OK on November 30th, 1931. She left her Earthly home and entered into her Heavenly home and into the open arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on November 4th, 2019. We have no doubt that Momma was greeted by those who loved her and preceded her in death; Her husband of 55 years Robert Lee Clay; her daughters: Peggy Leeann (Sanders) and infant daughter Mary Elizabeth, whom she never got to see or hold and silently grieved for since her birth and death on July 24th 1964; parents Roy & Roxie Mann; sisters Bobbie, Judy and Gwendene; and brothers Max, Larry, Billy and Carl. Momma leaves behind the broken hearts of daughters, Pamela Taylor and husband Tim, Mukilteo WA, Paula Clay OKC, Penny Strauss OKC and Son Phillip Clay, CDR USN (Ret) OKC. Grandchildren: Kristie and Mason Dunn, Nat and Amy Sanders, Michael Sanders, Jennifer Sanders, Micah and Brian Willeford, Zane Campbell and Brandy Strauss; Great grandchildren: Joshua, Natalie and Aron Sanders and Eli Willeford: Son in-law Aron Sanders; Honorary son, Todd Hannon as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and a very large extended family. She was a “Momma Bear” who fought for her kids and taught us not to be afraid to be ourselves, to always give back, to say “yes”, “please” and “thank you.” She taught us to respect others, to cook, to clean and how to make our beds and fold towels “the right way”, and to always leave things better than we found them. She was our biggest sports fan and an “enthusiastic” critic. She taught us the difference between right and wrong, praising us for the good things and holding us accountable for the bad. She believed discipline was one of the greatest gifts a parent could give their child. She was a long time member of Rancho Village Baptist Church. She loved providing food and desserts for families and fellowships at Rancho. Her desserts were legendary. Everyone always wanted to know “Which one Virgie made?” She was a graduate of Amber High School and proudly called Chickasha her home town. She worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell before becoming a stay at home wife and mother. Momma and Daddy moved our growing family to OKC in the early 60’s raising a family of 4 daughters and 1 son on the South Side. She loved to peruse garage sales, always looking for new treasures. Her go to store was Dillard’s. Momma was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan, loving all the sports but especially OU football. She enjoyed tailgating at the games with family and friends. One of Momma’s greatest pleasures was traveling with family and friends. Today, while we are sad to send her off without us we take solace in knowing that in leaving this earth she has embarked on life’s greatest adventure. God Speed Momma! A final comment: Our family would like to thank Dr. Barney Blue for his many years of loving care that he provided to Momma. We’d also like to thank two very special nurses, Jennifer and Heather, who joined our family in her final days to help us cover momma with gentleness, comfort and compassion. And to Louise, for thirty-five years you blessed momma with the external beauty that could only be exceeded by her internal elegance and grace.
Virgie Marie Clay (Mann) born in Amber, OK on November 30th, 1931. She left her Earthly home and entered into her Heavenly home and into the open arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on November 4th, 2019. We have no doubt that Momma was greeted by those who loved her and preceded her in death; Her husband of 55 years Robert Lee Clay; her daughters: Peggy Leeann (Sanders) and infant daughter Mary Elizabeth, whom she never got to see or hold and silently grieved for since her birth and death on July 24th 1964; parents Roy & Roxie Mann; sisters Bobbie, Judy and Gwendene; and brothers Max, Larry, Billy and Carl. Momma leaves behind the broken hearts of daughters, Pamela Taylor and husband Tim, Mukilteo WA, Paula Clay OKC, Penny Strauss OKC and Son Phillip Clay, CDR USN (Ret) OKC. Grandchildren: Kristie and Mason Dunn, Nat and Amy Sanders, Michael Sanders, Jennifer Sanders, Micah and Brian Willeford, Zane Campbell and Brandy Strauss; Great grandchildren: Joshua, Natalie and Aron Sanders and Eli Willeford: Son in-law Aron Sanders; Honorary son, Todd Hannon as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and a very large extended family. She was a “Momma Bear” who fought for her kids and taught us not to be afraid to be ourselves, to always give back, to say “yes”, “please” and “thank you.” She taught us to respect others, to cook, to clean and how to make our beds and fold towels “the right way”, and to always leave things better than we found them. She was our biggest sports fan and an “enthusiastic” critic. She taught us the difference between right and wrong, praising us for the good things and holding us accountable for the bad. She believed discipline was one of the greatest gifts a parent could give their child. She was a long time member of Rancho Village Baptist Church. She loved providing food and desserts for families and fellowships at Rancho. Her desserts were legendary. Everyone always wanted to know “Which one Virgie made?” She was a graduate of Amber High School and proudly called Chickasha her home town. She worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell before becoming a stay at home wife and mother. Momma and Daddy moved our growing family to OKC in the early 60’s raising a family of 4 daughters and 1 son on the South Side. She loved to peruse garage sales, always looking for new treasures. Her go to store was Dillard’s. Momma was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan, loving all the sports but especially OU football. She enjoyed tailgating at the games with family and friends. One of Momma’s greatest pleasures was traveling with family and friends. Today, while we are sad to send her off without us we take solace in knowing that in leaving this earth she has embarked on life’s greatest adventure. God Speed Momma! A final comment: Our family would like to thank Dr. Barney Blue for his many years of loving care that he provided to Momma. We’d also like to thank two very special nurses, Jennifer and Heather, who joined our family in her final days to help us cover momma with gentleness, comfort and compassion. And to Louise, for thirty-five years you blessed momma with the external beauty that could only be exceeded by her internal elegance and grace.