Theda Thomas Clay

She was preceded in death by her parents, Japtha & Dorthula Thomas, her siblings & spouses, Katy & Jack Blevins, Lucille & Jim Hopkins, Juanita & Jim Hicks, Tony & Edith Thomas & Eugene Mullins (husband of sister Evelene Mullins). She is survived and remembered by her loving husband of 61 years, Walter Clay, sister Evelene (Nene) Mullins, her 4 loving sons and spouses, Winston Clark & Sandy Clay, David Kendall & Wendy Clay, Lee Thomas Clay, William Brian & Amanda Clay, plus 7 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Born in Haysi Virginia, Theda was a proud graduate of Haysi High School. She worked many occupations, including a secretary, waitress, interviewer for the NASA Space program, and small business owner and craft aficionado. She sacrificed her job career to become a homemaker, and raise her 4 boys, to become the best and kindest mother of all time (personal opinion of her boys). She continued to excel in buying and selling her own custom arts and crafts, making gorgeous homemade floral arrangements from scratch, jewelry and also made hundreds of designer necklaces by hand. One of her finest floral arrangements, a 4 foot tall floral spray, was purchased and left on permanent display at the Bank of Powhatan for several years. She attended Meadowood Church of God for over 40 years, and served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, church member, and loving mentor to younger women in the church. She was a MASTER CHEF, expertly skilled in cooking dozens of meals, regularly hosting as many as 16 people at a time at family gatherings. In addition to all of this, Theda had an undeniable gift, the uncanny ability to strengthen and encourage others, and show them they were genuinely VALUED. Her faith in God, her smile and charm, and her perpetual optimism, served her well in in this ministry of encouraging others, and leading them to put their faith, joy and fears, in the hands of Jesus Christ. She was a continual light in a world desperately in need of more love and hope. She will be greatly missed, was an absolute treasure to her family and everyone that knew her, and will never be replaced.

On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the family will receive visitors from 10am-12pm at:

Woody Funeral Home, Huguenot Chapel

1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA 23113

Phone # (804) 794-1000

Viewing will be succeeded by a chapel service at the above venue, from 12-1PM, followed by a funeral procession escort to Dale Memorial Park Cemetery, 10201 Newbys Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, with burial service at 2pm. Flowers and condolences can be sent to Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel, and love and support can be left online by clicking the "Add a Memory" button below.