Elizabeth Clay

Elizabeth (known affectionately as Liz and Mama Clay) was born in Sewickley, PA to Nannie Josephine Carrington (nee Fitts) and John Anderson Carrington on August 15th, 1930. She was one of five children, having three sisters (Bertha, Martha, and Mary) and one brother Thomas. 

In her teens, she started her first job at a hospital in Pittsburg where she met her future husband, Herman Lee Clay, a WWII veteran, and graduate of Penn State. The young couple soon married and had their first child, Herman Jr. Together they moved to Cleveland, OH in search of better job opportunities. The couple prospered, Herman, studying at Case Western Reserve University for his Master's, while Elizabeth worked at Mount Sinai Hospital. They purchased a home in the desirable neighborhood of Glenville and had three additional children, Alsie, Walker, and Shellie. 

Sadly, Herman unexpectedly succumbed to illness and passed away in October of 1967. Elizabeth overcame much adversity and hardship as a young widow with small children. One of her proudest accomplishments was working as a Customer Service Representative at the Cleveland Water Department for over 35 years until her retirement in 2005. She retired at the age of 75 and briefly returned to work at the age of 79, out of sheer boredom (lol). The success of her children and grandchildren becoming independent entrepreneurs, earning college degrees, and Nigel the Sheriff in Florida, made her feel the proudest. 

Elizabeth had an eye for fashion and interior design. She loved to paint and make her home unique. In fact, Elizabeth and Herman were ahead of their time in 1959 when they came up with the idea to install a television set inside of the wall, seen today as a "flat screen tv. She enjoyed cooking when she was younger and in recent years loved collecting dolls, watching YouTube, Court TV shows, and spending time with her children, and grandchildren for game night. She loved to go for joyriding and gambling at the casino with her grandson David Lee. She loved all types of music but her favorites were Country, B.B. King, Isley brothers, and Aretha Franklin. 

In the care of her beloved daughter Shellie, a nurse practitioner, Liz lived life to its fullest and never spent a day in a nursing home as promised! She was loved by all who knew her. Liz leaves behind to celebrate her memory, her brother Thomas Carrington, brother-in-law Walker Watson, sister-in-law Carol Hines, sons Herman and Walker Clay, and daughters Alsie and Shellie Clay. Preceded in death by 2 grandsons: Vincent and Li Adam, Granddaughters Vicky, Dannie (Rodney), Renata, Tierra, Ariel, Elizabeth (Derrick), Grandsons: Eric, Nigel, David Lee (Lacresha), Lavelle, Lewis, and a host of great-grandchildren. Honorary daughters Renee and Shonda. 

When her time came, she passed quickly and peacefully, surrounded by family. 

A public viewing will be 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on November 18, 2022, at the House Of Peace Funeral Home, 4105 East 71st Street (East 71st and Harvard), Cleveland, OH. A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 19, 2022, 1:00 PM Wake and 1:30 PM Service at the Everlasting Baptist Church, 579 Eddy Rd, Cleveland, OH.  Interment will immediately follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH.

Face Mask Will Be Required For Viewing And Funeral Services.

We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on Elizabeth's memorial wall.