Shirley Ann (Clay) Hunt
Dec 16, 1948 - Apr 1, 2025
Posted by Jeff Smith
© Brown's Funeral
Service
718 W 13th Street
Atoka, OK 74525
Shirley Ann (Clay) Hunt was born on December 16th , 1948 at DeQueen
Arkansas to proud parents Doyle (Chub) Clay and Mary Catherine (Reddick)
Clay. The Clay Family was a proud part of the “ Traveling Timber Towns”
collectively known as Clebit and they settled into the logging camp located
near Pickens, Ok in McCurtain County. Doyle drove heavy equipment for
Weyerhaeuser and Mary was a homemaker, so both occupations allowed Shirley
and her brother Jerry and sister Pam to roam and explore the foothills of
Southeastern, OK. They knew most of the roads, trails, creeks and rivers
like the back of their hands. You would have been hard pressed to find them
wearing shoes, but it was not out of the ordinary for them to be covered in
dirt from playing or carrying around wild critters that Doyle brought home
to them.
They lived a poor and modest life that revolved around God and their family.
They cherished any trip they got to take to stay with grandparents or aunts
and uncles and relished when family came to stay with them. The Reddick/Clay
Women were notorious for cooking huge meals and they loved to meet up for
picnics on the banks of the Little River. Deer Camp was also a huge family
affair that they looked forward to as it lasted for several weeks and
everybody went. It was not just a time for them to gather and fellowship, it
was one of the main ways meat was harvested to provide for their family for
the following year. Once the deer meat was sparse, they relied on fish they
caught from the creek and from chickens Mary raised.
Shirley proudly graduated from Battiest High School and then spent a
semester at Murray, quickly deciding college was not for her! She and her
dad owned a general store together at Silver Creek for several years before
she moved to Idabel to work as the County Commissioners’ Secretary for that
area. It was there, at the court house, that she would meet the love of her
life, Gary. They fell in love hard and fast and were married within 6
months. Shortly after, she followed him to West Monroe, LA where he attended
Preaching School at White’s Ferry Rd. While they were living in West Monroe
they were blessed with twins, Shauna and Shammi in 1981 and a year later,
Shelli joined their family; to say they had their hands full was an
understatement! Still, by the grace of God they managed to get Gary
graduated and he accepted his first preaching job at Lane Church of Christ;
it was in this part of Southeastern that they would spend the remainder of
their marriage.
Once their girls were old enough to attend school, Shirley grew restless and
started an in-home daycare as well as becoming a certified foster home for
children with disabilities. It was there, in her home, were she developed
lifelong friendships with babies and their parents alike. She loved feeding
people and being in the presence of children more than anything else on
earth other than attending church. So, if she could hold a baby at a church
potluck it was the closest thing to hitting the lottery she’d ever know!
Unfortunately, she suffered some complications from a routine knee
replacement in 2009 and she had to eventually stop taking care of children.
Over the course of the next few years she had multiple surgeries, but
eventually had to resign herself to an amputation, but her story was not
yet done! If anything, she just started cooking more for people and took her
role as a prayer warrior double-seriously. If Shirley knew you or even just
knew you had a need, you can believe that at some point she’s lifted you up
to our Father. She firmly believed in the saying, Love God. Love People.
Live it!
She delighted in her family and loved ones. Being a grandmother just may
have been her greatest achievement in life. That wheelchair has rolled many
a mile to watch plays, ballgames, cheerleading events, FFA Shows, awards
ceremonies, baptisms…you name it!
As we all know, the one thing as certain as your birth is that you’ll
eventually leave this earth, too. On April 1st, 2025 , Shirley’s race was
finally run. Surrounded by her children and grandchildren she took her last
breath on earth and then, opened her eyes to her eternal reward.
She leaves behind to honor her legacy her husband of 46 years, Gary Hunt.
Her daughters, Shauna and David Harendt of Blue , Ok Shammi and Trevor
Jackson of Centerpoint, OK , Shelli Ginden and her special friend Woody
Foster of Atoka, OK. And Nina Hunt of Ada. Ok
Chad Whisman of Quincy, California and countless other foster children and
babies she raised in her home.
Grandchildren Jacob Harendt, Olivia Harendt, Analyce Jackson, Chaini
Hunt-Ginden, Kayli Jackson, Dylan Keeler, Hadli Keeler, Claysen Ginden,
Atlee Harendt and Lola Harendt as well as a host of nieces and nephews that
she loved with every ounce of her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Doyle and Mary Clay, her in-laws
Joseph and Geraldine Hunt, a brother Jerry Clay, a sister Pamela Edson and a
son in law, Michael Keeler.
******************************************************************************
DATE OF SERVICES:
11:00 AM Friday, April 4th, 2025
PLACE OF SERVICES:
Stringtown First Baptist Church, Stringtown, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Joey Lansdale and Bro. Loyd Thompson
INTERMENT:
County Line Cemetery, Pickens, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Cody Erwin, Dustin Erwin, Zachary Clay, Broc Erwin, Tyler
Bailey, Ricky Harder
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Danny Erwin, Roger Erwin, Don Clay, Lee Morris, Bob
Holley, David Reddick, Bruce Beatty, Timothy Reddick, Gary McDonald, Claude
Self, Nadine McDaniel, Debbie King, Robert Ginden, Roger Holley
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. PLEASE
REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT IS THURSDAY 6-8PM
The family requests donations by made to OhYeah! Missions in lieu of
flowers.
SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BROWN’S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK
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