Rowena Clay

Rowena Jane Clay passed peacefully from this life on February 3, 2022 at the age of 92. Jane, the daughter of Marshall and Rowena Edwards, was born March 10, 1929 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of 4 children. She was raised and lived in Northeastern Oklahoma nearly all of her life. Bright, creative, and energetic, Jane graduated from Webster High School in Tulsa Oklahoma in 1945 when she was only sixteen. The following year, she married Calvin S. Clay Sr. after he was discharged from service in the U.S. Navy. She and Calvin lived and worked in the Tulsa area for many years where they raised two sons. Jane was employed for most of her working life at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Her career with the telephone company was quite successful. She received frequent promotions, becoming a supervisor in the business office and then holding other positions in management. Jane eventually became a staff instructor traveling to teach employees in a variety of training programs. After many years of service, Jane left the telephone company in 1974 to help with the family's growing optical business, Clay Opticians. She and Calvin subsequently, founded a ministry in Broken Arrow called Jesus Outreach Int'l. In 1979 she and Calvin sold their optical dispensing business so they could devote all of their time and energy to the work of the ministry. Later that year, they moved to rural Adair County where they lived and ministered until Calvin moved on to heaven in 2016. In addition to being an able minister teaching God's Word and preaching the good news of Jesus, Jane managed the business side of the church and assisted Calvin with Adair County's Emergency Management program. Jane was the eternal optimist, and her glass was always more than half full. Her positive attitude and fervent spirit were a marvelous comfort to anyone going through a trial. Many people that never came to church called on her when they needed prayer. She never met a stranger and was always ready to pray in faith for people needing God's help. Jane was also a talented artist, and her works in wood, pastel and oil are considered family treasures. Her energy, confidence toward God, loving-kindness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.

Rowena "Jane" Clay was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Calvin S. Clay Sr., her parents, Marshall and Rowena Edwards, her sister Sue Adams, and brother, Arty Edwards.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Calvin "Sam" Clay Jr. and wife, Joan, and James Clay and wife, Shelly. She is also survived by her brother Marty Edwards. Jane has 6 grandchildren, Cindy Turner and her husband, Joe, Teresa Roberts and her husband, Tyler, Sarah Clay, Katie Clay, Jamie Taft and  her husband, Corey, and Rodney Pischel. Jane also has 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.