Clay could always make people smile wherever he went. He had a gift for listening and helping friends solve problems. He was very giving and always had a heart for the less fortunate. As a very young boy he loved to make sure families had food and gifts for the holidays. He was quiet most of the time but could always make those around him happy. He loved computers and art and had hopes of obtaining a degree in computer animation. He was an only son and brother and very protective over his Mama and sisters. We love and miss hime so much. He had been to a revival the night before the accident and the topic was "What will Heaven be like". Clay knows now.

Clay had left the house about twenty minutes before I heard sirens. He had gone to take back some videos and drop off friends at another friends house before he and his girlfiend came back to wathch movies at our house. When I heard the sirens I tried to call Clay's cell phone and didn't get an answer. Not long after Clay's girlfriends Mom called to tell me the children had been in an accident and Clay was not responding. I thought not responding meant unconcious. The accident was only about two miles from my house. I got there quickly to find out Clay was pinned in the car and they could not get him out. It was about two hours before they told me that he was gone. It is hard to go back to that night. I really don't understand it at all.

Clay was a very safe driver and wouldn't even talk on the cell phone while driving. His girlfriend was driving that night and apparently there was horseplay going on in the back seat which caused her to lose control. Clay grabbed the wheel in order to help her get control of the car. The car crashed into a pinetree. The other four teenagers were able to walk away. Not my son. He took his last walk into Heaven that night. I cannot believe that this happened. So much hurt, so much pain, so much lost because these teenagers were goofing off and playing around with the destiny of not only my son but our family and all those who love my Clay.

My son is loved and missed by many. My son was killed September 14th 2007, another friend was killed in a car crash in November and then another in December. WE are a very small community and three deaths from automobile accidents within 4 months and in 4 mile radius of three friends is a high statistic to me.