Gay Shooke Clary, 88, of Crossett, Arkansas, passed away on April 20, 2024, from complications of dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eury and Bess Shooke and her husband of 52 years, Bill Clary. She was born in Monticello, AR on January 12, 1936. Gay had a wonderful childhood with parents that adored her and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Because of her father’s job, she lived in different towns in Arkansas: Arkadelphia, Magnolia, and Little Rock. Magnolia was always special to her because of the close, lifelong friends she made in high school.
After graduating from Central High School in Little Rock, Gay went on to graduate from SAU with a degree in accounting. While in college, she met the love of her life, Bill Clary. They married in 1956 and had three children, Vaughn, Billy Gay, and Chuck. Bill’s job as manager of the extrusion plant at Georgia Pacific led them to Crossett where they lived for almost 50 years. During their years there, the family were faithful members of First Baptist Church.
For 30 of those years, Gay taught math at Daniel Middle School. Gay and Bill loved the game of golf. When they retired, they would sometimes play up to 36 holes of golf a day. Many lifelong friendships were made at Prairie Country Club. They also were in bridge clubs and enjoyed playing all sorts of card games. Their children and grandchildren loved spending many late nights playing Liverpool Rummy with them. Bill and Gay were true soulmates. You never saw one of them without the other. It was devastating when she lost Bill in 2008, but she still carried on. She moved to Cedar Park, TX for a few years to live near Chuck and his wife, Karen. During that time, signs of dementia started to show. Gay then moved to Arkadelphia to be near Vaughn until her death.
Gay was such a joy to everyone that met her. She was a wonderful storyteller and could always make you laugh. Her children and grandchildren adored her and will miss her greatly but are comforted by the fact that she is now in Heaven with the love of her life.
Gay leaves behind three children: Vaughn Clary of Arkadelphia, Billy Gay Davis (Brian) of Orange, TX, and Chuck Clary (Karen) of Leander, TX and Tona Wright of Arkadelphia, who was like a daughter to her. She also leaves five grandchildren: Sarah Clary, Mary Grace Clary, Katie Hancock (Houston), Becky Ridgaway (Taylor), and Tanner Davis (Brandi) and two great-grandchildren: Grayson and Sophie Hancock and one great grandchild on the way Lila Ridgaway. She also leaves behind many other family members and friends, including a special friend who was an angel to her during the last few years of her life.
The Family will host a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 AM to 12:00 on Tuesday April 23, 2024, at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s of Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.