Carol Lea Clay

Carol Clay, 54, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away on September 19, 2022, at the home of her twin sister in Unionville surrounded by her loving family after a courageous and determined battle with cancer.

Carol Lea (Smith) Clay was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on February 22, 1968, the daughter of Robert F. and Ruby Darlene (Byrn) Smith.  She grew up in Revere, Missouri, as part of a family of ten.  Carol married Larry Clay on December 15, 1990, and made Unionville her home for the rest of her life.  She worked at Con-Agra in Milan, at Premium Standard Farms, and most recently at the Putnam County Care Center where she worked as a nurses’ aide and in the kitchen.  Carol loved the outdoors and especially loved to fish.  She also loved to raise flowers and work in her garden.  Carol loved family gatherings and arguing with her twin sister, Karin (arguments which she won most of the time!).  She liked her canine “furry friends,” the most recent of which was “Baby Girl.” Carol was the family weather girl to let everyone know when the bad storms were coming through.

Carol is survived by her husband Larry and by two brothers: Robert (Brenda) Smith, Luray, MO, and Danny (Tisha) Smith, Revere, MO; and six sisters:  Judy Kleine, Williamstown, MO; Sharon (Jim) Kerfoot, Wyaconda, MO; Tina Stewart, Kahoka, MO; Theresa Smith, Kansas City, KS; Karin (Roger) Clay, Unionville, MO; and Traci (Marty) Wenke, Argyle, IA. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she treated like her own kids.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Donna Sue Nelson.

Carol’s wishes were to be cremated.  A family celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date.  Please contact Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th , Unionville, Missouri, 63565, or at (660)947-2200 for more information.