Mary Ellen Clay

Mary Ellen Keyes Clay, of Harlingen, Texas, passed away April 20, 2023 at the age of ninety-one after a long illness.

Mary was born in Santa Rosa, Texas on January 8, 1932 to Victor Smith Keyes and Mary Calthea Etter Keyes.  She received her education in Santa Rosa.  Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Young Fashion for many years.  She loved sewing and needlework.  She was an active member at First Baptist Church. She later joined Wesley Methodist Church where she enjoyed listening to her daughter play the piano.  She and her husband loved to garden and travel.  Her favorite restaurant was The Oyster Bar where she always had fried shrimp, loaded baked potato and iced tea.

Mary was blessed with three children from her first marriage: Danny (Norma) McClanahan, Stanley McClanahan, and Cheryl (Robert) Reed. She had six grandchildren, Norman, Brian, Amber, Adriene, Ashley and Brennan, and was also blessed with eight great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of twenty-three years, William  Henry (Bill) Clay; her parents, Victor and Mary Etter Keyes; her brothers, Eugene Keyes, Charles “Charlie” Keyes, Ed Keyes, Andy Keyes, Troy Keyes, Wayne Keyes, Kenneth Keyes, O.D. Keyes; her sister, Elizabeth Keyes McClanahan; and four sisters that passed at a young age.

Mary is survived by her sister, Kay Frances Keyes Printy; her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Though we grieve her passing, we know that she is in a better place with those that went before her and her Lord and Saviour.  We are CERTAIN she is rocking her famed red hair again.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers that took care of our mother over the last seven years - Irene, Aurelia, Hope, Kayla, Crystal, APC Home Health Services. And, most recently, the caregivers from Treasure Hills Residential Care - owner, Yvette Cano Adams, Liz, Rosie, Irma, Amanda, Joanne, Jasmine, and Vanessa. You are our angels walking on earth. Special thanks to Linda Archer for always being there for our mom.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Wesley Methodist Church 1406 E, Austin Ave, Harlingen, Texas 78550.

A graveside service will take place Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Mont Meta Chapel of Peace Mausoleum.