A Tribute to A Life Well Lived!

102 AMAZING YEARS

MRS. MAMIE AXON STEVENS CLAY

Born, March 14, 1922 & Demised, June 20, 2024 Committal, June 29, 2024

Mrs. Mamie Axon Stevens Clay was a long time citizen and educator of Liberty County, Midway, Georgia. She turned 102 years old on March 14, 2024. She has been a very busy individual who has held many titles. To her family she was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, an aunt, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a foster mother, a step-mother, a grandmother, great-grandmother, God-mother, a Church mother, a good neighbor and a friend. Professionally, Mrs. Clay has been called a student, an educator, a leader, a confidant, a supporter, an advocate, and a true business lady. Within her religious endeavors she held the title of secretary, treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess and finally her highest honor was the title of being the Mother of the Church.

FAMILY : Mother Clay was born, to the late Mrs. Annie Ophelia Jones Axon and Elza Axon, on March 14, 1922. She was one of 4 children. Mother Clay has been blessed to enjoy her siblings. She leaves to mourn her death, one brother Clarence (Daisy) Axon, of Savannah, Georgia. Also, preceding her in death was her sister Ida Gadson and a brother Elza Axon.

CHARACTER : Mother Clay shared many character building traits with her daughter, retired educator Ruby Stevens Winn (husband the late Charles Winn) and her foster son John Stevens. Others who benefited from her strong morals include her Three Step-Children: Rhonda Daniels, Langston Clay, William Clay. There are Seven Grandchildren: Jamise Winn, Jamal Winn, John M. Daniels, Jr., Kayla Daniels, Tiaria Daniels, Eddie Clay, and Langston Clay, Jr. She has two Great-Grand Children: Ja'Lyn Daniels and Ja'Hon Daniels and Five God Children: Aldelphenia Brown, Laura Smith, Betty White, Sandra Sheffield and Alice Quarterman.

SPECIAL LOVES : She would often mention the loves of her life, the late Mr. Jesse Stevens and the late Mr. Eddie Clay. Mr. Stevens was better known as Professor Stevens, principal of Hineshaw Elementary School, Hinesville, Georgia and Deacon Stevens at Wilderness Missionary Baptist Church. At the demise of M. Stevens, the next love of Mrs. Clay's life was Mr. Eddie Clay of Savannah, Georgia. He was well known in Savannah for his joy of providing historic tours throughout the historic city. She would often state that she has had a rich and fulfilling life.

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES : During her one hundred and two years of life she has adopted the following words and formed them as her motto of advice, "If a person stands for nothing he will fall for anything." Thus, she stood on her beliefs and her life journey started after she graduated from Liberty County Training School (1941). Her educational development extended to Savannah State College where she majored in Vocational Home Economics. Following which she became gainfully employed in one of the world's most rewarding careers, the field of education. She became an educator, a "toucher of lives forever". Even to this day she was an outstanding teacher. She was and continued to teach with much compassion for those she encountered. She once taught at the USO where the Button Gwinnett Elementary School now stands. She also taught at the Dorchester Academy, Liberty County High School and her final location was Bradwell High School,

SPIRITUAL STRENGTHS : Leading Mrs. Clay through her one hundred and two year journey has been her personal development via her church affiliations, Her religious life began carly with the leadership of her loving and supportive mother, the late Mrs. Annie Ophelia Jones Axon. In her early years, Mrs. Clay attended Sereven Fork Holiness Church in Midway, Georgia, Later in life, seventy-four years ago, she joined Wilderness Missionary Baptist Church and has joyously served in the highest honored seat for a lady, she is the Mother of the Church. Reverend Earl Williams is her pastor. She believed that if you are in love with the Lord you will also love your church. She lived by the fact that, "Working in church brings out very good internal feelings while it also builds your character, good character." Her statement for her success and longevity has been her thrust to keep God first in her life. That is also her advice statement to all who ask.

JOYS : Though Mrs. Clay loved to cook, she was very observant as she supervised your cooking. During each day while watching the morning and evening news she loved talking on the telephone with her loved ones and friends. Her real challenge of the day was giving the correct answer while watching her two favorite game shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Through it all, Mrs. Clay's greatest fulfillment was the reading of her Bible and weekly Bible Study with her church members. She had a special location to read and would read her Bible daily and would joyously talk about the goodness of the Lord. She truly loved our Heavenly Father and He has bountifully blessed her with over all extremely good health, a supportive church, a strong loving family and many others who sincerely care about her and her welfare.

BELIEF : Mrs. Clay is a short lady who stands tall on her beliefs. She was very persistent about how one looks when in the public and how you would carry yourself as a lady or as a man. She believed in a strong peace of mind, having radiant health and being represented by the truth as you live a life of honesty. These and other things she has taught to her family and her many students. She believed in using your skills to the fullest of your ability and you should joyously use your God given talents when asked. Mrs. Clay believed, if you are living right you would demonstrate it by the way you show love for mankind...she would always say that we must love ye one another as God has loved us. Another favorite statement was, "Pray and Trust In The Lord At All Times". She was an amazing lady.

ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY:

In Youth,

we ought to industriously occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge.

In Manhood,

we apply that knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties: First to God, Then to our Neighbor, Then to ourselves.

So that, in the evening

of our lives we may enjoy a happy reflection consequent of a Well Spent Life and die with the Hope of a glorious immortality.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of The Dorchester Funeral Home, 7842 E. Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA.