Eulilia June Clay

Longtime Farmington resident Eulilia "Lala" Clay passed away Friday, January 8, 2010, at SRMC. Eulilia June Rusk was born June 17, 1926, in Hammond, Okla. She was the sixth of seven children of Jim and Eva Rusk. Eulilia June Rusk graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif. Lala was married Aug. 17, 1946, to James D. Clay in Grand Prairie, Texas. Jim and Lala lived in Artesia and Big Spring, Texas, prior to moving to the Four Corners area in 1952. In recent years, she had been battling declining health as a result of Alzheimer's. Eulilia was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Linuel Rusk; sisters, Nadine Taylor, Ruby Mae Rusk and Modina Thomas; and her beloved grandson, Jarrod Shepard. She is survived by sisters, Mildred Curtis of Pauls Valley, Okla., and Mary Ruth Woodward of San Antonio, Texas. Eulilia is survived by her husband of 63 years, J.D. "Jim" Clay; son, Robert C. Clay and wife, Freda Yeomans, of Kauai, Hawaii. Daughter, Sheila J. Shepard and husband, Sid, of Farmington, along with grandchildren, Jason M. Shepard and wife, Melanie; great-grandchildren, Kolby, Teegan and Wyatt Shepard of Perkins, Okla. Sonja M. Crum and husband, Baric; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Jordan, Kooper and Emily Crum of Farmington. Son, Richard. F. "Rick" Clay and wife, Melissa, of Mancos, Colo.; grandson, Chaz and wife Stephanie of Aurora, Colo.; grandson, Reece of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Prior to her declining health Eulilia was active in the Order of Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters. She was a longtime member and supporter of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Eulilia enjoyed cooking, spending time with family and friends and traveling. She especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren. The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Eulilia's name to The Gingerich Home, 27 Road 5577, Bloomfield NM 87413, (505) 632-1234.