Viola M. Clay, 87, of Winfield, Kansas, was called home to join her heavenly Father Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020 with her family by her side.

Born July 25, 1932 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the 5th child born to Fredrick Douglass and Maggie Jane (Trice) Lewis. Viola was united in marriage to Saul A. Clay on May 18, 1948. The couple made their home in Winfield. She was the mother of ten children and she loved each one dearly. Being a mother is what she took great pride in, which in turn, was passed down to her childrens' parenting.

Employment at Boeing Military Airplane Company was temporary as Viola chased the dream of one day working in healthcare. She worked in medical records after receiving a certificate for Medical Librarian Assistant at Sedgwick County Hospital. Upon acceptance into a pilot program for minority women, Viola attended Wichita Area Vocational School. Earning her LPN, she began working as a private nurse for some of the most "influential" families in Wichita, Kansas. Upon relocation to Winfield, Ks. Viola continued her passion for caregiving and once again became a private nurse for Mr. & Mrs. Harley Coffey, Janet Reid, Viola always put God first. She gave her life to Christ and was baptized in the Catholic faith, ensuring all of her children knew God and had a spiritual foundation by being baptized as well in the Catholic faith.

Viola is survived by brothers: Bishop Chester Lewis (Bessie) of Tulsa, Ok., Leroy Lewis (Judy) of Wellington, Ks., sisters: Flora Mae Walker of Arkansas City, Ks., Violet Clay of Ft. Dodge, Ks., and Arvenia Hughes of Winfield, Ks. And sister-in-law Amanda Lewis of Arkansas City, Ks., children: Alan Clay (Rhonda) of Gig Harbor, Wa., Jane Lafever of Winfield, Ks., Paul Clay (Darla) of Winfield Ks., Saulette Omeke (Alex) of Stafford, Tx., Candyce Portley (David) of Derby, Ks., Alana Williams (Malvin) of Humble, Tx. and son-in-laws: Michael Neal of Atlanta Ga., and Abdul Salahuddin of LaMarque, Tx., 31 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and a host of many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, and friends.

In addition to her parents and former husband, Viola was preceded in death by brother: Theodore, sisters: Ila June, Florine, and Lucille, sons: Joseph D. Clay, Mark E. Clay, and daughters: Saida Neal, and Yasmeen Salahuddin, granddaughter Jameelah Salahuddin, and grandson Arrion Salton.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors during this time.

Memorials have been established in Viola's name for Bethel AME Church, Harry Hynes Hospice, and Disabled American Veterans. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

"I thank God for my church family at Bethel AME and pray that they continue to thrive and grow. I prayed God would clean up this body and take me back. I've just been too busy trying to do for myself when I should have left it all up to God." *Viola Clay