Chester Clay Jr.

Services for Chester Clay Jr., 55, were held Saturday, April 12, at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Corsicana.

Interment followed in Resthaven Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Corsicana.

Clay passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2008, in a La Grange hospital after a brief illness.

Chester Clay, Jr., was born January 11, 1953, in Galveston to Chester and Willie Mae Lacey Clay. He attended the public schools of Galveston and graduated from Ball High School in 1971. His education continued in Brownwood at Howard Payne University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. He later furthered his education with a master’s degree in counseling from Corpus Christi State University in 1986. While at Howard Payne University, Chester met and married Joyce Louis on December 20, 1975. To this union was born one son, Chad Clay.

An intelligent and hard-working individual, Clay spent 34 years volunteering and working for Texas Youth Commission in various capacities from volunteer to juvenile corrections officer, superintendent, and finally as assistant deputy executive director for juvenile corrections for the State of Texas. He worked to help the most troubled Texas children see hope where none had previously existed. Clay’s commitment to the communities in which he lived led to memberships in Rotary International and the Lions Club. Clay was named to Outstanding Young Men of America in 1983, and received the Howard Payne Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.

Clay’s love for young people and the promotion of self-betterment led to his lifelong work with the young people of the state of Texas. His love for his family made him a good provider, and impact basic spiritual principles to them. His role as a friend led to the camaraderie of both men and women across the entire country. His love for Christ led him always to join a fellowship of believers wherever he lived. At the time of his death he was a devoted member of Concord Christian Center in Giddings. Though retired from the State of Texas at the time of his death, Clay was attending Blinn College to receive his teaching certificate.

He is survived by his wife of over 32 years, Joyce; his son Chad, both of Giddings; mother, Willie Mae Clay of La Marque; sister, Alrethia Dotson and husband Manuel of La Marque; brother, Bobby Armstrong Sr. of Beaumont; mother-in-law, Bobbie Ruth Louis of Clarendon; two godchildren, Evan Lynch and Jennifer Jones; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, John L. Louis of Clarendon, Odell and Rose Louis of Albuquerque, N.M., and Charles and Winnie Louis of Amarillo; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Clay Sr.; two brothers, Norris Earl Horn and Eddie Ray Horn Sr.; and one sister, Melba Jean Nolan.Chester had a genuine concern for the welfare of his fellow man and his family.

His loving manner and gentle speech attracted people to him, and his conscientious services as a humanitarian won the hearts of many. He lived a peaceful life and was always ready and willing to help anyone in any way he could.