Sherilyn Louzene Clay was born June 2, 1940 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Fredric M. Clay, Sr. and Anne Adams Clay, both whom have preceded her in death. She was lovingly raised by her maternal grandparents, Fletcher and Louzennia Howell Adams. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized during Vacation Bible School at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. When her grandparents moved their membership to Mt. Helm Missionary Baptist Church, she went along with them.
Sherilyn was an outstanding student and received her early education at John Hope School #26 and graduated 4th in the Class of 1957 from Crispus Attucks High School after only attending for three years. At Attucks, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Booster Club and Concert Mistress of the Orchestra.
Although she was highly proficient on the violin, her first love was the piano. Sherilyn began taking piano lessons with her aunt, Lucille Clay Crawford at age 4 at the urging of her grandfather, Fred “Professor” Clay, a renowned Indianapolis Choral Director. She became so advanced that she continued her training at Butler University’s Jordan School of Music. Upon graduation from high school she was accepted in the Jacob School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. While in Bloomington, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Sherilyn married Thomas Mabry on May 9, 1959 at Trinity CME Church and to this union her daughter, LeChelle was born. She transferred her membership to Trinity and began sharing her musical talent with the Children’s Choir, J. Claude Allen Youth Choir, Chancel Choir and Mass Choir. At its peak, the J. Claude Allen Youth Choir had over 50 members.
Professionally, Sherilyn began her working career with the Internal Revenue Service and in November 1963 she became the first African American Bank Teller at Railroadmen’s Savings and Loan Company. Railroadmen’s later was acquired by Huntington Bank. She consistently rose through the ranks and retired from Huntington Bank as the Savings Officer in December 1996. After a six month hiatus, Sherilyn began a second career with Brinks, Inc. and finally retired in January 2012.
In addition to her over 40 years of service to the Trinity Music Ministry, she was a member of the Leora B. Myers Circle of the Trinity Missionary Society, where she served as the chair of the Mary Townsend Scholarship Fund for many years, volunteered with the Love Feast Feeding Ministry, Church Women United and the IU Alumni Association. Sherilyn was known for her artistic talent in décor and flower arrangements. And her “shoe game” was her trademark.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, LeChelle A. Mabry; grandson, Minister Shea Thompson; brothers, Ronald D. Clay, Sr. (Barbara J.) and Fredric M. Clay, Jr. (Barbara A.) of San Jose, California; sisters, Marsha J. Jackson (Charles) and Hilda F. Wilson of College Park, Georgia; goddaughters, Felicia Reed and Jenee’ Petty; numerous “adopted “ children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
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