Obituary for Mayola Clay The woman affectionately known as Figaro, Auntie May, May-May and Mama Clay; Mayola Figaro Clay was born in Rayne Louisiana on February 24, 1935 to Mary Pearl Anderson and Harold J. Figaro. She attended and graduated from Acadia Parish Training School. She then completed a typing course that allowed her to move from Louisiana to Orange, Texas and later to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the United States Government at the Pentagon.
One of her many duties while working there as a secretary was the creation of the letters that would be submitted for members of the various armed services to receive their medals of commendation. ** During her time in D.C., May met some of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This led her to have regular discussions with them.
These regular Bible-based discussions along with her personal study of the Bible led her to believe the truths found in God’s word. She solidified her beliefs in those Bible truths and symbolized her dedication on February 24, 1961 when she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mayola enjoyed sharing the good news about Jehovah and his promises for mankind.
She always preached about God’s word no matter where she was. Mayola eventually moved to Chicago. Wanting the ability to work for herself, she attended barber college and became a master barber eventually working for Clarence Gordy at Gordy’s Barber Shop.
She would also return to working full-time for the government at the Department of Agriculture. One of the many people Mayola met when she came to Chicago was Lowana Clay. This subsequent friendship led to Lowana introducing her friend to her brother, Clemon Claiborn Clay, Jr. in 1961.
As they say the rest is history. Mayola and Clemon were wed in 1967. To this union were born the three greatest kids on the planet: Kimberly, C.C. and Alyson.
For over 50 years Mayola was a devoted mate to her husband Clemon as well as a hands-on mother to their children. Mayola had strong entrepreneurial desires. This led to her purchasing Gordy’s Barbershop and then later expanding to a second shop, Ka-Cee’s Barber and Beauty Salon.
She tried to retire from barbering, but often continued cutting hair in her home basement. Her customers just could not stand to go anywhere else. Most people would agree that Mayola was such a dynamic person.
She was very witty and funny. She loved antiques, Billie Holiday, cookbooks, cooking, tennis, and the television trivia show Jeopardy. She was an avid reader of all books, but truly loved reading God’s word the Bible.
She was instantly loved by so many people that she came across. Everyone knew that Mayola and Clem’s house was like Motel 6, “They’ll leave the light on for you”. Her home phone often started ringing at 6:00 A.M. and never stopped.
She took pride in the fact that her home was always open to anyone. And when Mayola opened her home, you were blessed to have experienced her wonderful HOME-MADE (from scratch) pancakes, waffles, gumbo and famous banana breads. She found so much joy in giving and being hospitable.
Mayola gave hundreds of free haircuts, she gave her money, her food, her great advice, her empathetic listening ear, her time and most of all her love and encouragement to her family and friends. Mama Clay would lovingly fuss at her kids, her kid’s friends and even their friends, her friends and strangers if she could see that they were doing something wrong. She was known for this so much so that people would actually say to her kids, “Where is your Momma?
I really need her to fuss at me today”. It was all love, and everyone felt it. She always found and respected the good part of a person.
She always endeavored for that person to see the good in themselves especially if they were feeling down. In return, so many people loved and respected her for that unconditional love. On September 2, 2018, Mayola fell asleep in death.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Donald and Thomas Figaro; sister Deanna Guidry; and loving husband Clemon C. Clay, Jr She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Kimberly Clay, Clemon C. Clay III (Latrice), Alyson Hart (Donovan); grandchildren: Terrence J. Sanders, Clemon Brandon, Jasmine, and Chase Langston; brothers: Oscar Figaro (Rose), Harrison Figaro (Loretta), Bennett Figaro, Carl Figaro (Gayle); sisters: Waver Figaro, Fannie Benoit, and Eleanora Jones; nieces: Pauline Figaro, Tricia Carpenter, Carolyn Schanette; nephews: Gian, Dwight, and Tyrone Figaro; Michael Schanette; her special friends and neighbors: Ms. Flora Harris and Mrs. Delphyne McGlathery; as well as a host of dear friends and relatives. Mayola and her children greatly appreciated the love and care that was given to her by Dr. Kibibi Davison, Hilda Brunt, Shirley Gill, and Vicky Kelly.
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