Mrs. Sarah Turner Clay
February 28, 1942 – July 21, 2023
She came into the world on a cold, Saturday morning, February 28, 1942—the warmest of spirits and the kindest of hearts. Sarah was the tenth child born to Rueben Turner and Annie Moore Turner. Sarah grew up in a hard-working southern family, where farm chores and field work was common place. Growing up in such a large family, she learned how to defend herself and stand her ground, and HAD HER SAY about what work she would do. During her early years, she acquired the nickname of “NIBBLE” from her siblings—and it stuck for life.
At an early age, Sarah confessed her faith in Christ, and for over fifty years, she has been a member of the St. Bartley P.B. Church. Up to the time when she could no longer attend, she was a member of the Number 3 Choir—later called the Praise Choir. Sarah was first a daughter, then a sister; a wife and mother, then a grandmother, and on to become a great-grandmother—but always a lover of the family and home—and overall, a lovely person.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
As GOD would have it, there came a time when young Robert E. Clay met young and beautiful Sarah Turner. After a short courtship, they were later joined in holy matrimony on October 31, 1963. GOD blessed this union with three children: Denise, Robert Jr. and Shayla.
THE WORKING YEARS
She started working in her late teens as a maid for several families around the Huntsville area. After marriage, she went to work for Genesco Manufacturing Co for a few years. Then back doing some maid work, and finally she went to work as household manager for Mrs. Joy Collins and Ms. Nancy Hendrick. She worked for both families simultaneously for over 40 years. She was also an owner of Thrift Stores on and off for 30-plus years. She loved the trade of thrifting merchandise. Collecting and reselling glassware was her most favorite thing to do.
HER FINAL HOPE
The Second Coming of Christ is the Christian hope. At the moment of His coming, those who die in Christ will be resurrected and join those who are still alive, and together they meet Christ in the air. On Friday, July 21, 2023, Sarah fell asleep in Christ. Her family is comforted by the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 of meeting her again.
Sarah leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted children: Denise (David) Leak of Huntsville, AL; Robert (Jeanita) Clay Jr. of Murfreesboro, TN and Shayla Clay of Huntsville, AL. Three grandchildren: Davia Leak, Devin Leak, and Kayla Clay. Two great-grandchildren: Jay’Leon Cooper and Journee Cooper of Huntsville, AL. Two brothers: James (Alberta) Turner of Cleveland, OH; and Rev. Eugene (Paula) Turner of Lexington, KY. One sister: Edna (Frank) Rich of Huntsville, AL. Numerous nieces, nephews, church members and neighbors. And her special friends: Florence Moore, Odessa Steele, and Gary Houk.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church (3020 Belafonte Avenue Huntsville, AL 35806) with Pastor Jaymes Mooney officiating and Pastor Eugene Turner as eulogist. Interment will be in the Faith Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Clay will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023, and 9:00 until 11:30 a.m., Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the Royal Funeral Home.
