Funeral Services will be at 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 27, 2018 at Collier-Butler Chapel for Kay Junkins Clay Mitchell, 68, of Gadsden who passed way Friday, August 24, 2018. Rev. James Wallace will officiate with burial to follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Collier-Butler Funeral Home is in charge.
She was born to Mable Lucille (Hall) Junkins and Cecil Otis Junkins on January 10, 1950, in Etowah County, AL.
Kay was married to Hugh (Stud) Clay, they owned and operated Clay Oil Company, Inc (Texaco Distributiorship). After Hugh’s retirement, Kay followed her heart’s desire, belief and training in Natural Healing and Nutrition which led her in 1990, to open a nutritional center (Great Earth Vitamin Store) in Rainbow City where she enjoyed and was committed to helping others and teaching the importance and benefits or natural healing, diet and nutrition. She was loved for her sweet spirit and generous nature and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Kay was a member of Freedom Baptist Church.
After Hugh’s death in 1999, she married George Mitchell (Hugh’s lifelong friend and Army buddy) from Huntsville, AL. George was retired from the U.S. Department of Defense, serving for 30 years as the Chief of the Missile Command. They enjoyed several years of fun and travel until his death in 2007.
She attended Emma Sansom High School, Bastyr University of Naturopathic Medicine and The National University of Health where she received her Master’s Degree in Naturopathic Healing.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Ellis Williams; granddaughter, Jamie M. Works; sisters, Judith Lynch-Luker, Ocala, FL; Elizabeth Corsini, Burlington, NC; brother, John Junkins, Madison, AL; step-son, Steve Clay; and grandsons, Zac and Chad Clay; sister-in-law, Betty Mitchell Burden, Guntersville, Al; special friend, Tim Riley; special cousins, Jo Willis Allen and Kate Pate; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents, Mable Lucille and Cecil Otis Junkins; brother, Thomas Junkins and sister, Barbara Stewart.
Flowers may be sent to Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901.
Pallbearers will be Vann Jenkins, Steve Clay, Zac Clay, Rev. Royce Head, Daniel Riley and James Keeling.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Larry Rawdon, Dr. Deborah Reiland, Dr. Steven Sanders and Dr. Mary Rutherford.
The family extends special thanks to nurses and staff of Alacare Hospice.
Visitation will be Monday from 2 pm until the hour of service at 3:00 pm.
