Obituary of Ethel Clifton Clay

Ethel Francis (Brissey) Clifton Clay Ethel Francis (Brissey) Clifton Clay, 87, died Monday October 24th at Frankfort Regional Hospital in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her final days were spent surrounded by her children and family. Ethel was born, June 11, 1929, in Owen County, Kentucky to Iva Lee (Wollems) Brissey and Fletcher Barkley Brissey (both deceased). Ethel was one of 10 children. Ethel was raised by her paternal uncle, Eugene Brissey, and her aunt Ethel Brissey (both deceased) of Goshen, Ohio. In her late teenage years, she moved back to Owen County, Kentucky and lived as a companion to an elderly lady, who she grew to love as a grandmother. At 17, she met and fell in love with Earl Davis Clifton. They were married shortly thereafter, and moved in with Earl’s father on his farm, where Ethel managed the household and helped with the crops. Ethel had her first child one year later. They all moved to Newtown, Ohio, approximately three years later where Ethel gave birth to her first son. She lived in Ohio for approximately 25 years, where Ethel gave birth to five additional children. She also worked outside the home at Kenner Toys and Gruen Watch Company. In 1972, Ethel’s family moved back to Kentucky and resided in Frankfort. She continued to raiser her children as a devoted mother, and also worked outside the home at Genesco, Hardee’s and McDonald’s, where she was known as “mom who made the best biscuits” to everyone. In 1975, Ethel married Sylvester Clay. Ethel is survived by six children: Patricia (Mike) Popp of Franklin, Ohio, Earl David (Rose) Clifton of Goshen, Ohio, Rebecca (Jeffrey) McGee, Kathy (James) Smith, Mark (Julie) Clifton, and Tim (Heather) Clifton, all of Frankfort, Kentucky, and one son Melvin Clifton who preceded her in death. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. Ethel is also survived by her sister’s: Alma Ellis and Barbara Powers, both of Frankfort, Kentucky and Betty Christman of Milford, Ohio, and her brother, Paul Brissey of Owenton, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by one sister: Judy Romans, and four brothers: James Lee Brissey, Eugene Brissey, William Brissey, and Cecil Brissey. Visitation will be held for family and friends at: Roger’s Funeral Home in Frankfort, Kentucky on Thursday, October 27, 2016, from 4-8 pm. The Reverend Tom Troth of Hillcrest Baptist Church will officiate the funeral services at Rogers Funeral Home on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 1 pm. Her final resting place will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Frankfort, Kentucky.