Mr. James L. "Jim" Clay, Jr., 63, of Coffeeville, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford.  He was born in Ripley to James and Marjorie Payne Clay.  A loving and loyal big brother to Robert Clay(Molly) of Madison, Myrna Clay Pipkin(Frank) of Batesville and Paula Clay Sudduth(Larry) of Orange Beach, AL.  Uncle to Lydia Pipkin Harris, Laurie Clay Harcrow and J.W. Pipkin.  He was also a beloved nephew, or "cotton picker" as his uncles liked to call him, of Frances Payne, Ronnie Clay(Henrietta), Ike Clay(Lana) and Hugh Clay.

Listed above is the family he was born with, but God blessed Jim with a second family that he adored and was always ready to go back to anytime he left.  That family was the Town of Coffeeville.  He loved everyone there and had special relationships with many.  He though of Sadie Martin and Hollie Field Bell as mothers and would say "they will look after me now that Momma's gone."  Jake Martin was his Coffeeville Daddy.  His favorite of many Coffeeville brothers was Sammy Horton and his favorite sisters were Kay Laster and Connie Church.  His Coffeeville nephew was Little Bud Adams.  Jim had so many people in town he loved and cared for deeply and the town he loved showed him love in return as they watched over and guided him through life daily.

He attended Coffeeville High School followed by a stint at Northwest Community College where he was studying to be a diesel mechanic.  His college career was interrupted by true love.  He met and married the first of his five wives there, one of which he married twice.  After college Jim worked a variety of jobs.  The most interesting was when he drove migrant workers to farms all over the Florida Keys.  It was during this time that he was able to enjoy his favorite past-time, fishing.  He owned his own steam cleaning business for awhile, cleaning commercial vent hoods for restaurants.

When he was no longer able to work, he took on a life long career of public speaking and fishing.  He loved to fish Grenada Lake where he knew all of the hot spots for Crappie.  Among his favorite things to do were visiting friends, drinking coffee at the lumber yard, going to see his girls at the drug store, hanging out at Bell's Service Station and watching "Gunsmoke" and other old westerns.  His favorite sayings were "I'm okay", "Be careful", "I Heard That!", "You know what I mean?", "How you doing", and "Thank you for helping me!".

Jim Clay was ready to depart this world and be with his parents.  He stated that he knew what he wanted and was going with them this time when they came to get him.  How fortunate for him that he knew where he was going and that his family was waiting for him there.

Visitation for Jim will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, April 24, 2022 at First Baptist Church – Coffeeville with services immediately following visitation.  Rev. Craig Baker and Rev. Truman Scarborough will officiate.  He will be laid to rest at 1:00 PM Monday, April 25, 2022 at the Gulde Cemetery in Brandon.

Memorials in his honor may be directed to First Baptist Church – Coffeeville where he attended growing up or Calvary Baptist Church where he attended as an adult and was baptized.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).