Dixie Sue Clay

Dixie Sue Clay of Tyler passed away June 5, 2017, at the age of 79. Visitation will be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler on Friday, June 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Rev. Ron Bird will lead a private graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery on Saturday, followed by a celebration of her life and reception at First Christian Church of Tyler at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ginger Brandt officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Dixie was born at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston on February 14, 1938, the only child of Dick and Thelma Rhoades. Moving repeatedly with her father’s war effort construction work in her early life, Dixie and her parents came to live in Pampa, Texas, where she graduated from Pampa High School in 1956. A talented artist, Dixie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from West Texas State University in Canyon in 1960. She worked as an aerospace industry artist for General Dynamics in Fort Worth. In 1962 she moved to Tyler to teach Art and English at Robert E. Lee High School. Her first night in Tyler, her friend Anita Wedgeworth and Merwyn Pickle introduced Dixie to Jerry Clay. A year later, Anita and Merwyn married followed two weeks later by Dixie and Jerry’s wedding on August 3, 1963, in Canyon, Texas. They made their home in Tyler where they raised two sons Kyle and Richard. Dixie’s is a vibrant and loving soul. She was entirely dedicated to her faith, family, friends and Texas. With an ever-present smile Dixie involved herself in her community. She was active with the Junior League of Tyler and the American Association of University Women. Dixie participated in her children’s parent-teacher associations, and Dixie and Jerry were in the group of parents and teachers who started All Saints Episcopal School. Dixie’s artistic drive never waned. Along with others, she designed and created beautiful worship banners, and wrote and directed melodramas for youth fundraisers at First Christian Church. As a licensed interior designer, she operated Dixie Designs & Interiors. Her family and friends are blessed to continue to enjoy her art in a variety of media. Preceding her in death are her parents, Richard Robert Rhoades and Thelma Alberta Jones Rhoades; husband, Jerry Harold Clay; and infant son, Corey. Dixie leaves behind sons, Kyle and Richard, along with their wives, Anna and Amy; grandchildren, Jacob Brown, Patrick Clay, Scarlett Clay and Sophia Clay; and cousin Faye Bragg who was an “older sister” to Dixie. She will be missed by her family and numerous friends. Honorary Pallbearers are Tom Clay, Kelly Clay, David Henry, Lee Griffith, Jay Williams, Todd Lessert, Bo Hughes, Curtis Mooring, and Ron Schoenbrun. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation who provided such compassionate care to Dixie. 7925 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 1140, Tyler, TX 75703-5227 or www.htohhfoundation.org

Dixie Sue Clay

February 14, 1938 - June 5, 2017