Mary Clay Courtland

A native Atlantan, Mary Clay attended The Lovett School and, throughout her vibrant life, called several places home, although Atlanta was always where her heart truly lived.

Mary Clay was a devoted wife of 39 years, mother, and grandmother. Alice, Elizabeth, and John were the absolute center of her life, and there was nothing she cared about more deeply than her family.

As a proud and doting grandmother to her seven grandchildren, she loved celebrating them at every turn, especially birthdays, when it brought the entire family together.

Nantucket held a particularly special place in her heart, where she loved walking the familiar streets, reading on the beach, and hosting family and friends. Mary Clay also knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life: a PC from The Varsity, a bowl of ice cream, a dirty martini on the rocks, a Broadway show, antiquing, or settling in to watch a show (NCIS was a favorite; something her children always loved making fun of her for).

Her family will deeply miss her humor, her steadfast advice and opinions, her stories, and all of the ordinary things that made life feel more like home when she was there.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack Mason Rice and Mary Byrd Rice, and her brother, Jack Rice Jr. She is survived by her loving husband, John Courtland Sr.; her children, Alice Belko (Dan), Elizabeth Chaffin (John), and John Courtland Jr. (Katharine); and her seven grandchildren, Jack Belko, Courtland Belko, Poppy Chaffin, Collier Chaffin, Knox Chaffin, Sumner Courtland, and Penn Courtland.

A celebration of Mary Clay’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1st at Capital City Club, Brookhaven.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude’s children’s hospital.