Geneva L. Clay

Geneva Lynn (Henderson) Clay of South Bend, Indiana departed this life at the age of 84, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Geneva Clay was born on October 25, 1932 in Charleston, Missouri to the union of Sam Henderson and Essie (Rogers) Tarver Henderson.

She was united in holy matrimony with Leonard Taylor Clay, at the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, by the late Henry Giden Sr. At an early age, she accepted Christ. She was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the precious Holy Ghost which sealed her relationship with the Lord. She used her God-given talents to serve God and others. She served the Lord everywhere and anytime that she had the opportunity. She was a member of Saints Memorial Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Carl Steen.

She was preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers: Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Labertta, Aunt Irene, Uncle LS, Uncle Leroy, and Uncle Ruffus.

Mother Clay was a homemaker and employed part-time as a Lunch Room Aid for the South Bend Community School Corporation serving at Navarre Middle School until her death.

Mother Clay was an avid lover of sewing, dance, Kenny Rogers, and the local vocalist J. D. Davis. She was very supportive of our local radio station WUBS and Pastor Sylvester Williams. She was a D.I.V.A. in her own right. She was Devine, Inspirational, Vivacious and an Advocate of God. She loved shopping and dressing.

She spent the majority of her days and nights listening and studying the Word of God.  Mother Clay had real love for her family. She loved the Lord, her children and all of God’s people.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one brother, Leander Tarver (Virginia) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; oldest niece raised as her sister, Annie Laura Campbell; and one sister-in-law, Kathryn Tarver both of Chicago, Illinois. Her five children:  Linda Carol Black (Charles) of South Bend, Indiana, Patricia Ann Fleming (R.L.) of South Bend, Indiana, Leonard Taylor Clay II (Betty) of South Bend, Indiana, Valerie Denise Washington of Washington, D.C. and Yolanda Yvette Bond (Robert) of South Bend, Indiana. Seventeen grandchildren: Charles (Michelle) Black, Jamhal (Karla) Black, Jacques (Erik) Neal, Patrick Fleming, Garrick Fleming, Jimmy Jackson, Shawn Jackson, Shelton Jackson, Leonard Taylor Clay III, Dewan (Miriam) Simon, Shamika Clay, Robert Bond IV, Julian Bond, Devoni Bond, James Bond, Shawnkois Bond, and Zechariah Bond. Twenty-five great grandchildren; one “Heavenly Sent” great-grandchild (Davion Clay) which she loved and cherished and spent the last three years raising him; three great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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