Patricia Lynn Clay

Patricia Lynn Clay, 74, of Searcy, Ark., peacefully passed away on December 29, 2024, after a long battle with cancer, with her loving husband of 47 years by her side. Pat was born on December 29, 1950, in Enid, Okla., to Albert and Audria Howe. How special it is that she was able to pass from this earth to her heavenly home on the same day she came into the world. Pat grew up in a military household and was the oldest of four daughters. After high school, Pat moved to Searcy to attend Harding University. It was while living in Searcy that she met Randy. In 1977, Pat and Randy were married in a small ceremony at his parents’ house. They welcomed their one and only child, Amy, in 1980. Pat spent the majority of her days working as a lab and x-ray technician at the Joseph Clinic and later for Unity Health. Pat enjoyed her job and the people she worked with daily, both coworkers and patients. Upon retirement, Pat and Randy enjoyed traveling and going on cruises with friends. Pat attended Cloverdale Church of Christ where she made many life-long friends who had a bi-weekly breakfast group to which she always loved going. The support of these friends was unwavering in her final days. Pat loved reading and tried to instill that same love in her daughter and grandkids by always giving Barnes and Noble gift cards for birthdays and Christmas. More than just about anything, Pat loved being a Nana, and she was the absolute best Nana. Just ask her grandkids. One thing Pat always made sure to say when times were tough was “this too shall pass.” While this phrase may have annoyed her daughter at times, it now provides comfort in this phase of life. Pat always made sure those she loved knew how she felt and never ended a conversation or visit without saying “I love you.” Pat is survived by her husband, Randy Clay, of Searcy; daughter Amy Swift (Matt) of Bentonville; three grandchildren, Andrew Parnell, Ava Parnell, and JJ Swift, all of Bentonville; three sisters, Peggy Buckley of Mobile, Ala., Paula Fontenot (Mike) of Fort Gibson, Okla., and Phyllis Randolph (Rob) of Tallahassee, Fla.; 13 nieces and nephews; and 23 great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert & Audria Howe, in-laws Carrol & Frances Clay, and two brothers-in-law, Larry Roberson & Dan Buckley. The family would like to thank the Arkansas Hospice family, especially Renee and Keilee. In lieu of flowers, gifts of love in her honor are welcomed anywhere, but especially Cloverdale Church of Christ. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Cloverdale Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Patricia Lynn Clay

December 29, 1950 - December 29, 2024