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Kathleen Loraine Clay Arey

Kathleen Loraine Clay Arey - 91, passed away on June 30, 2016.

Born in Randolph County, N.C., on March 26, 1925, she was the daughter of the Reverend George W. Clay and Carrie Atkins Clay.

As the daughter of an Itinerant Methodist minister, she grew up in numerous towns throughout western North Carolina. She graduated from Lees McRae College and received her RN from Martin Memorial School of Nursing in 1946. She came to Shelby in 1947 as an Obstetrical Supervisor at Shelby Hospital. When Robert J. Arey, Sr. woke up in recovery following a tonsillectomy, Nurse Clay was there. As he awoke he said, "I must be in heaven because I am looking at an angel!" They were married March 5th 1948.

She was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She also was very active with the "hymn sing" every Sunday morning at Blowing Rock Methodist Church where she spent most of her summers.

Loraine was a perfectionist as evidenced by her cooking skills; especially those butter mints lovingly made on her marble slab and shared with friends and family. And her cheese wafers, perfectly round and mouthwatering! She was an avid golfer at both Cleveland Country Club and Blowing Rock Country Club and won "Ladies Club Champion" several times.

She loved her family without question. She always looked for the greatest potential in her children and grandchildren, while she encouraged them to be the best they could be in everything they did.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert "Bob" J. Arey, Sr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers George W. Clay, Jr., William Fletcher Clay, two infant daughters who died at birth and step mother Willie S. Clay.

Surviving are her children Robert J. Arey, Jr & wife Candy, Kim Arey Bridges & husband Mike; four grandchildren, Robert "Jay" Arey, III and wife Lacey; Matt J. Arey and wife Emily; Julian Clay Arey, and Andy Bridges; three great grandchildren, Jackson Arey, Reese Arey & Peyton Arey, a sister Louise Clay Powell of Greensboro, NC, sisters-in-law, Mary Alice Arey Dorton of Chapel Hill, NC, Lib H. Clay of Greensboro, NC and Jean G. Arey of Charlottesville, VA., and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family cannot thank enough the wonderful care she received from Helping Hands, including Joyce Jamerson and Maria Matheson who had been with her for four years. Sincere thanks also go out to the many others who were there for her care at Brookdale Assisted Living and the wonderful care and support of Hospice. We are all very grateful.

The family will receive friends in the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Epworth Building at 12:30 followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary. The Rev. Jamie Mosteller and Dr. Hal Warlick will officiate. A graveside service at Sunset Cemetery will immediately follow the service.

Memorials may be sent to Aldersgate United Methodist Church or Hospice of Cleveland County.

Clay-Barnette Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.claybarnette.com


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