Mary Sue Clay

Mary Sue was born April 21st, 1938 to Ruth and Elmore Wernicke, at the Wernicke Brothers Dairy on highway 50.  She was raised on a farm in Spring Lake and graduated from Hernando High School in 1956.  Mary Sue was a Weeki Wachee mermaid from 1956-1961, during which she went on a blind date with a Navy sailor, who would become her husband, Richard Earl Clay.  They married April 4, 1959 at Spring Lake Methodist Church.  Mary Sue and Richard had 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Mary Sue is survived by her husband, Richard Earl Clay; her children, Lynn Clay Roberts, Richard Earl Clay Jr. (Sonny), Robert Clay (Robby); and her grandchildren, Kevin Belcher, Matthew Belcher, Charlotte Roberts, David Roberts II, Jessie Roberts Shook, Jake Clay, Austin Clay, Andrew Clay and Hannah Cook.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Elmore Wernicke; her sister, Jane Wernicke Patterson; and her daughter, Lori Clay Roller.

Known to her family as Mary Sue, Mom or Mawmaw, she was a wonderful wife and loving mother and grandmother.  She was happily married to the love of her life for 62 years, while they raised a beautiful family.  Mary Sue never met a stranger and would tell you exactly how she felt.  You could always find her telling a story of her days as a mermaid or teaching one of her grandchildren underwater ballet in one of Florida’s natural springs.  

Mary Sue lived her whole life in Spring Lake.  She was a member of the Spring Lake Methodist Church where she will be laid to rest Thursday, September 3, 2020.  Visitation will be from 9:00am to 11:00am.  Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am followed by a graveside service at Spring Lake Cemetery.

ARRANGEMENT BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352)796-6699

"Family Owned & Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com