Joan Clay

Joan Clay

Augusta, GA – Mrs. Joan Higgins Clay passed away Monday, June 18, 2018 at University Hospital. She was the daughter of Frank and Ada Clare (Von Kamp) Higgins, and the wife of Cassius Marcellus Clay. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Cassius, her sister, Clare Higgins Kelley, and cousins: Albert Von Kamp Gary, Maude Gary Doris, and William Theodore Gary, III.

Joan is survived by her many nephews Brant Kelley (Joy) and Terrell Kelley (Renate) of Stamford, Connecticut. Also survived are nephews Jonathon Clay, Richard Clay, Landon Clay, and Cassius Clay. Joan is also survived by many cousins from the Gary and Doris families.

She was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, The Junior League of Augusta, and The Historical Society of Augusta. Joan was a member and past president of the Women’s Republican Club of Richmond County and a member of the Augusta Opera Board of Directors. Joan and Cassius traveled the world to attend as many operas as possible. Her love of the opera sustained Joan in later years and gave her great peace.

Many thanks to her special caregivers at Make Your Day, especially Vonnie Stephens, Latonya Nugin, Nancy Haywood, and Theresa Davis.

A graveside service will be Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in Summerville Cemetery with Fr. Michael Hull officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be her security team- David Day, Ernest Hooks, Claude Edwards, London Eubanks, Andy Johnson, and Robert Lofton.

A reception will immediately follow the graveside service at the Gary Home on Bransford Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave, Augusta, GA 30904.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com