Margaret E. Clay, daughter of the late Robert L. Phegley and Vena M. Ligon Phegley, was born on February 27, 1921 in Thornton, Arkansas, and departed this life on May 31, 2020 at Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 99 years.

Mrs. Clay was the former manager of a retail store in Eureka, Missouri and a homemaker.  Growing up she worked hard picking cotton.  She attended Risen Church in Dexter and was a resident of Dexter.

She was united in marriage to Ansel M. Clay on February 23, 1941 in Parma, Missouri.  Mr. Clay preceded her in death on August 2, 2013.

She is survived by her son, Jerry Clay and wife Junie of Dexter; by her daughter, Sara Mae Knight of Eureka; by ten grandchildren, Debbie Haley, Sheryl Wieschhaus, Greg Knight, Chelle Shelton, Rob Clay, Jera Lincoln, Matt Clay, Brad Clay, Renee Wiesler, and Chad Clay; by twenty-six great-grandchildren; and by fifteen great-great-grandchildren.

Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, James Robert “Bo” Clay and Wilson Gary Clay; by her brother, Robert Phegley; by her daughter-in-law, Carolyn Clay; by her son-in-law, Verl Knight; and by her great-grandson, Matthew Haley.

Funeral Services will be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Roth officiating.  Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.