Doris Jean Clay

Doris Jean Clay, a cherished wife, mother, relative, and friend, entered her eternal rest on September 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 78. Doris was born on March 2, 1946, in Potosi, Missouri, to Emmit and Rebecca McGuire. She grew up in a home surrounded by her four sisters, brother, niece, and nephew, while being a student and member of St. James Catholic Church.

She graduated from Potosi High School, where she excelled as a student athlete on the volleyball and softball teams. Demonstrating her characteristic independence, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she worked in a beauty salon, then in an electronics factory, and later as a catalog clerk for Montgomery Ward. In 1966, she married Michael Clay and embarked on a life in the Air Force, building their family and traveling around the world.

Their first child, Michael Scott, was born in England in 1968, followed by Gregory, born in Japan in 1973. After several moves across the United States, she and her family settled in San Antonio, where Michael retired from the Air Force, and both began the next stages of their careers. Doris became a school bus driver for the Northside Independent School District, retiring in 2008 as one of their most skilled, professional, and experienced special education drivers.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, homemaker, and confidant to her family, nurturing many lifelong relationships with friends worldwide. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Marie Walton, Virginia McGuire, Betty Mathews, and her son, Michael Scott Clay.

She is survived by her loving husband, Michael; her sister, Leona Douthit; her brother, John McGuire; her son, Gregory; and daughters-in-law, Rosie and Panisara. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Jordyn, Liz, Kat, and Nicole; her grandson, Zachary; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews both in the U.S. and abroad. Doris was known for her fierce determination, dedication to her family, and zeal for travel. She is dearly missed and remembered by all who met her, whether they knew her for a lifetime or for just a minute or two. To know the depth of her love and caring is one of life’s true blessings.

There will be a visitation on October 23, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, located at 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. Additionally, a short service will take place from 10:30 AM to 10:50 AM on October 24, 2024, at Shelter 3 of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209.