A resident of Las Vegas since 1960, Sallie leaves behind many devoted family members and friends, all of whom will miss her beautiful, kind spirit and smile, her great sense of humor, her never-ending words of encouragement and her unconditional love for everyone in her life.
Sallie was born July 9, 1936 in Furman, AL to her beloved mother, Matilda Powell-Gulley. The oldest of all her siblings, Sallie learned the value of hard work at an early age. After graduating from Greenville Training School in 1957, she started working at the Mountain Brook Country Club, where she met the one and only love of her life, Thomas Clay.
Thomas and Sallie married in Birmingham, AL. Shortly thereafter they welcomed their first child, Kenneth Dwayne Clay. Unfortunately, they lost their second child, Michael Clay.
During this time of continued segregation in our country, Thomas left his young family in Alabama and he moved to Las Vegas, NV, seeking more opportunities. His wife and young son joined him in Las Vegas in 1960. In 1961, they welcomed their last child, a daughter, Bronica Yolanda Clay.
Sallie and Thomas built a beautiful, love-filled life for themselves and their children in Las Vegas. They also had a positive impact on the exclusively African-American community they lived in, now known as North Las Vegas, but in the early 1960’s and into the 1970’s, it was the “West Side”, where all African-Americans lived and even Black celebrities had to go there to sleep. Unfortunately, Thomas preceded Sallie in death. He passed away at the age of 40 in 1977. Sallie never re-married.
Sallie enjoyed more than 30 years working for the Clark County School District, where she touched and enriched the lives of so many children, of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Some of her positions included being a long-time Cafeteria Manager at Jo Mackey Elementary School, as well as being a Teacher’s Assistant, most notably becoming the personal aide for many years for a young wheelchair-bound little girl with multiple sclerosis.
Sallie was also a devoted Christian. She loved being an active member of her church home of many years, Zion United Methodist Church, Pastor the Late Reverend Marion Bennett. In her early years she was a Sunday School Teacher. She also became a member of the Usher Board and a singer in the Chancellor Choir.
Sallie leaves behind so many loved ones, family members and friends. They will all remember and miss her so very much!
They include: her children...son, Kenneth Dwayne Clay; her daughter, Bronica Yolanda Clay; her brother and his wife, Jeffrey Brown and Ella Brown (both of whom she loved deeply); her sisters and brothers, Cleveland, James, Ruby, Lucille, Diane, plus the five that died in the house fire; her mother, Matilda whom she adored (d. 2005); her husband, Thomas Clay, the only and only love of her life; her half sisters and brothers; her grandchildren, Tiffany, Tristan, Lavatta, Darrell and Kesha (d); plus her many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her so much joy and happiness, even when it was through thoughts, memories and just pure love!
The family is so grateful and wants to thank everyone for all the well wishes and love during these difficult times.
In the memory of Sallie, our beloved departed: “May God Bless You One And All . . . Forever!!!”
