Bernice Clay

Bernice Clay, 94, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, departed this life peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10:00 am at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Morris and Rev. Penny Biddy officiating.

Bernice was born in San Angelo, TX to Marion and Pernie Joplin on March 2, 1930.  She attended San Angelo College (A.S.U.), where she met her future husband, James Edward Clay.  They were married on March 26, 1949, in San Angelo, and celebrated 67 wonderful years of marriage, until James’ passing in 2016.  Bernice began working at First Financial Bank in the 1960’s.   She served as secretary for Mr. Walter Johnson for a number of years, before being promoted to Head of Human Resources and Personnel until her retirement.  She was a proud member of The P.E.O. Sisterhood and had many friends throughout Abilene that she loved and cared deeply for.  In her free time, Bernice enjoyed reading, going to the movies, and was a talented painter.  Most of all, Bernice enjoyed being in charge.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Pernie, her husband James Edward Clay as well as her brother Aaron Franklin Rainey, and her sister Arah Eloise Russell.

Bernice is survived by her daughter Cathy Clay and husband Neil Cannon, son Tommy Clay and wife Sandy, as well as 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and her “Yaya Sister” Norma Sherman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bernice’s grandsons as well as Dave McKee and Mike Dick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bernice’s favorite organization West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford St., Abilene, TX 79605. https://westtexasrehab.org/donation/