Obituaries

Belva (Bev) Sue Clay, 86, of 525 Tanglewood Drive, Martinsville, passed away on September 13, 2025, at 293 Mulberry Road, Ridgeway, Virginia. She was born to the late Ivory Edward and Dora Bell Adams Shumate, on March 12, 1939, in Wilkes County, North Carolina. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Charlie Shumate, and her three sisters, Mildred Tuggle, Virginia Ferguson and Sinia Hutcherson.

Bev was a devoted member of the Rich Acres Christian Church and a loving mother to her three sons. Her life journey included many years as a faithful military spouse, successfully providing the entire family with encouragement, strength and love to help with the inherent challenges of frequent moves, including assignments in Japan, Germany and several locations within the USA. She loved to take family walks and found peace while enjoying the many splendid beauties of the Lord’s creations. She was employed by Chatmoss Country Club for many years. She loved to play tennis.

She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Randall and Ruth Clay, of Ridgeway, VA, Darrell and Gabriele Clay, of Stein, Germany, and Jeffrey and Lena Clay, of Aiken, SC, in addition to seven grandchildren, Stephanie Serhat, Lauren Pace, Jenny Clay, Jessica McFadden, Daniel Clay, Ashley Watkins and Joshua Clay, and eleven great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Thursday September 18, 2025, at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00, in the Chapel of Roselawn Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Hunt officiating the service.