OBITUARY FOR LAFAYETTE HARRISON CLAY

In the tapestry of life, each thread has its own hue, its unique contribution to the

grand design. So was the life of LaFayette Harrison Clay, a gentle soul who, in his

quiet but profound way, left an indelible mark upon the hearts of those he

encountered.

Born under the waning summer sun on the eighth day of September in 1940, in the

industrious town of Bessemer, Alabama, LaFayette emerged as a beacon of

intellect and kindness.

In the year 2023 on the twenty-fifth of November, amidst the chill that precedes

the winter's embrace, LaFayette, known affectionately as such, fell asleep

in death at home in the quiet suburb of Oak Park, in the bustling city of Chicago,

Illinois. His journey concluded not with the tumult of stormy seas, but with the

tranquility that accompanies a life well-lived, as organic cardiovascular disease

stealthily took his life at the age of 83.

LaFayette, whose essence was woven through with threads of gentleness,

intelligence, and an unassailable kindness, was a scholar in his own right. His early

years were shaped within the halls of Libby High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he

graduated in 1958. His mind, ever thirsty for knowledge, found solace in the

written word, and he devoted many an hour to the pursuit of learning through

boundless pages.

A few years after graduating Lafayette moved to Chicago, where he would spend

the majority of his life. It was in the Windy City that he found his calling, working

at the reputable Carson Pirie Scott until his well-deserved retirement in February

2007.

Despite being very shy LaFayette's heart was ever a wanderer, delighting in the

exploration of major cities in the United States Yet, even as he journeyed far and

wide, he carried with him the joy of soul-searching chronicling his adventures and

thoughts within his many journals.

He was preceded in death by his mother Thelma Clay {Shelton } and father

Theodore Clay, brothers Wilbur Clay and Ted Clay. He is survived by siblings—John

Seay, Bernita Swope, Julia Frieson—and a cherished assembly of nieces and

nephews.

As we say goodbye to Lafayette, we are reminded of the preciousness of life and

the importance of cherishing every moment with those we hold dear.

His story does not end here, for it lives on in the hearts and minds of those who

were fortunate enough to know him.

Job 14:13-15 James 4:14 , Acts 24:15