Rev. Alvin Lee Clay

Rev. Alvin Lee Clay was born Jan. 19, 1947, in Blytheville. He was the youngest of seven children born to the late Mack and Carrie Bullocks Clay. He departed this life on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the age of 76 in his home.

He confessed hope in Christ at an early age. Affectionally known as Coach Clay or Clay, he is a graduate of Harrison High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Lane College and a master’s degree from Arkansas State University. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma (Dec. 12, 1970). He served as a teacher and coach at East Junior High from 1971 to 1973, as a teacher and coach at Blytheville High School from 1974 to 1977, vice principal at Blytheville High School from 1977 to 2009, and assistant principal at Blytheville Intermediate School from 2009-2012, for a total of 41 years in the Blytheville School District. Coach Clay started the Ladies and Gentlemen’s club at local high schools.

He was licensed and ordained as a minister at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1983 under the late Dr. Rev. P.J. James. He attended Brewster Seminary and Frank E. Ray Expository Preaching in Memphis. In 1985, he began pastoring St. Paul church at Barfield, which eventually became New St. Paul Missionary Baptist in Blytheville. In June of 2012, he retired as associate pastor at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. He went on to serve as pastor of Macedonia Church in Malden, Mo., and permanently retired pastoring in 2018. He hosted a weekly radio broadcast on KLCN, worked with New Life Prison ministries for 20 years. Coach Clay also served eight years on the Mississippi County Quorum Court.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, LC Clay, Carrie Clay, Thelma Clay, Maxie Clay and Henry Clay.

He leaves to cherish his memories four daughters, Dana (Patrick) Conway of California, Kristi Coleman of Tennessee, Ashley Clay and Amber Clay of Blytheville; two sons, Alvin Darrell Clay of Arkansas and Cory Clay of Texas; his caregiver/ex-wife, Omia Clay; his only surviving sibling, James Clay of Illinois; four grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and each life he touched within the school system.

Final viewing will be held Saturday, July 15, from 9:30-10:45a.m. at St. Paul M.B. Church, 1630 West Street, Blytheville. Funeral service starts at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Blytheville, pastor Bennie Washington officiating.

Service and arrangements are provided by Gary Wolfe at Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation, 634 W. Main Street, Blytheville, AR, 870-900-0010.