Mildred Cleo Howard Clay
June 21, 1920 - June 5, 2012

Mildred Cleo Howard Clay June 21st, 1920 - June 5th, 2012 Mildred aka "Tut" was the fourth of six children born June 21, 1920 to Claudia Moody Howard and Simon Loeb Howard in Lowndes County, Mississippi. She confessed Christ at an early age at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Motley, MS. A Determine, independent young woman she left home at the age of 18 to the dismay of her Father & Mother. Married Robert Jenkins, to this union a son Robert "Sonny" Jenkins Jr was born. Her second marriage to Robert Clay, to this union she had two children Barbara & William a third son died two days after birth. Mildred C. Clay went home to be with the Lord Tuesday June 5, 2012 @ 4:53pm in Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California. She had lived in Detroit, Michigan for over 64 years, prior to Detroit she lived in Muskegon, Michigan. The East Side of Detroit was home, many meals were served, friends always knew they could find a good home cooked meal at "Mrs Clay". Mildred hobbies included doing Word Find Puzzles, caring for her house plants and flowers on her front porch and small backyard garden. New Bride Baptist Church across the street was her church home since the early 1950's Pastor Rev. Wright, she was an active member on the Mother Board and she enjoyed helping serve the homeless on Saturdays. Mildred was a hard working woman, with a beautiful smile. She was a Professional Cook, and Domestic Housekeeper, 25 year retiree from the Lucy Thurman Branch of the YWCA and Luther Haven Nursing Home Rehab Center, The Title of "Head Cook" was retired when she retired. However, she continued going to Luther Haven assisting in the kitchen "sitting on a stool wrapping cookies" until she was 86 years. A member of the NAACP all her life, voted absentee ballot in every election, she was very proud of the fact her father Simon L. Howard successfully campaigned to the Supreme Court in 1954, a case which ended employee discrimination in the railroad industry. This case is studied in many law classes today. Mildred relocated to Kalamazoo December 2009, she lived a month with her niece Josie & Rev. before moving to Hope Wood Senior Apartments in Kalamazoo. There she attended Bible Study every Tuesday night and did her daily walks inside the long hallway. She enjoyed sitting with the Ladies in the "Chat Room" after dinner. The ladies told her they were going to call the Sheriff Department on her for "disturbing the peace". A joke the women told because she was so quiet. Under doctor's advice due to declining health she agreed to move with her daughter to San Diego July 31, 2010. Some of the Principles she lived by and taught her children are: "You don't go to Sunday School and church then you can't go to the Picture Show" "When that porch light blinks twice you better come in the house" "Treat other as you would have them treat you" "A hard head makes a soft behind" "Things you do in the dark will eventually come out in the light" "Just keep living" Family members preceding her in death: Mother, Father, Son Robert Jenkins Jr. Sister, Eurnestine Patmon , Brothers, Frank Earl, William, Mozell, & Robert Howard. Husbands, Robert Jenkins and Robert Clay, Sister in Laws Jeffie Mae, Annie Lee, Jessie Howard & Nina Lipscomb; Brother in Law Joe Patmon,Sr; Nephews:Joe Jr, Donald Patmon, Mozell Howard Jr, Oscar Starling, Johnny Walker; Nieces: Frankie Lee, and Sharon Howard Mildred leaves to cherish her memory; Sisters: Emma D Scott, Atlanta, GA; Clarabelle Weaver, and Brother Simon L Howard Jr, Memphis,TN, Jack Jenkins brother in law, Detroit MI.Daughter: Barbara Jean Clay Odom, San Diego, CA ; Son William E Clay (Virginia), Altadena, CA;Grandsons, William "Douglas" Odom (Nita), Vallejo, CA; A. DeWayne Odom (Trisha), Durham, NC, Granddaughters:Canzata Singleton (Dr.Alex), Pittsburgh, PA; Dr. Lestina Price (Kenyon), Pasadena, CA; Patrice Clay,Oakland, CA; Tasha Walker, Georgette Clay, Los Angeles, CA; GreatGrandChildren, Andre Blair, A1c William Douglas Odom,Jr, Skye Price, Amari & Trajen Odom, Ethan Price & Isreal Odom Nieces & Nephews, Josie Wyne (Rev William), Kalamazoo, Mi; Cynthia Walker, Shelia Bolden(Nick),Atlanta, GA; Frank Earl Howard (Raymeto),Richmond, VA Donald Howard (Vernie),Baton Rouge, LA; Mickie Cheves, Claudette Patmon(Arthur), Charlene Patmon , Debra Starling, Parnecia Cole(Terience), Detroit, MI; Brenda Downs, Greenburg, LA;, Robert Reid, Oakland Ca; Adopted Children, Tamasha Spears,San Diego, CA; Florence & Theron Belafant, Detroit, MI; Many Great Great Nieces & Nephews, Cousins and a multitude of wonderful friends thru out the United States.

Tributes