Ruth Jessie Clay, 86, of Hayes, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. A native of Deltaville, she was born on May 10, 1938 to the late Lucy Gray Jessie and William Thomas Jessie. Ruth graduated from Middlesex High School and soon married the love of her life, Garland “Poppie.” They raised a beautiful family together, and most of our fondest memories were made living at Warner Hall Plantation. Nannie was a master seamstress and manager at Abingdon Cleaners, Gloucester Point, for many years, where she made lifelong friends. She also was an avid cake decorator at Busch Gardens, which will always be a special place for our family. She was a devoted wife to Garland Hugo Clay, who passed away in July of 1997 at the age of 62. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was known for kindness, nurturing, selflessness, and the heart of our family. Outside of being a hard worker, she was a devout Christian. Ruth welcomed her family and all of her children’s friends to her home over the years. She was everyone’s “Nannie.” She was the keeper of our family history and traditions and a master of our family’s comfort food. Her most famous dishes were her seashell and potato salad, which we would all jokingly fight over. Christmas will never be the same without her fruitcake cookies and wedding cookies. She loved the beach and picking blue crabs. That’s when she always seemed the happiest. She was an avid animal lover and will be especially missed by her extremely protective dachshund, Ginger. Ginger was Nannie’s buddy until the end, bringing her so much comfort and joy. Their daughter, Robin, and her one-of-a-kind grandson, Casey, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Garland “Sam” Samuel Clay, Evelyn “Gayle” Clay, and her adopted granddaughter, Amanda “Mandy” April Hoover; cherished grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan, and Caitlyn, and had very special bonds with many of her great-grandchildren, Logan, Kaiden, Jack, Riley, Bailey, Mia, Alaina, and Avery. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Nell, and her best friend, Rosie. The family will receive friends at Hogg Funeral Home on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 7-8 p.m. Ruth’s Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, followed by interment at Rosewell Memorial Gardens Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Garland. Ruth’s kindness and warmth will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Services are under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.