12/28/2024
The Clay Family came to Lake Alfred, FL from Alachua, FL in the 1920’s. Charlie Clay was a Pastor at the Church of God by Faith church in Fruitland on Midway Avenue. Charlie and his wife Louise were the parents of Eddie Clay (deceased – Delray Beach); James Floyd “Charlie” (deceased – Lake Alfred); General Lester Clay (deceased – Delray Beach); Pearl Clay (deceased – Miami); Queen Owens Dunmore (Delray Beach); Barbara Haynes (Delray Beach).
All the children named above, grew up in Lake Alfred (Fruitland).
James Floyd (aka Charlie), met Frankie Mae Ryans (aka Ms. Frankie Mae), and they wed when they were both only 15 years old. James and Frankie were the parents to: Cleveland (widow is Tuoi Clay – Columbus, GA); Nellwyn (widower is Ben Jones – Winter Haven); Shelia Clay (Lake Alfred); Bernice Cooper (deceased – Lakeland); Terrell (widow is Dorothy Clay, Dacula, GA); Donald (deceased); Bruce (Tammy – Auburndale).
James Clay joined our military in the early 1940’s and while serving, he was in the Army Air Corp. He was a Tuskegee Airman mechanic and once he returned home, he talked about being in Tuskegee, Alabama and Ft. Blanding, FL. James finished his education at Jewett High School and also worked for the Fruitland Company as a fruit loader. In 1961, James started his career with the city of Lake Alfred. While working for the city, he held many jobs and in 1972 he was promoted to supervisor of Public Works. He remained with the City of Lake Alfred for 35 years – where he retired.
Frankie, affectionately known to all as Ms. Frankie Mae, was helping to keep the ladies in the Polk County beautiful with her cosmetology skills. James had a beauty salon built for Ms. Frankie Mae in the early 1940’s and the salon still stands today. The salon is located in front of the house James built in 1961. The old house where all their children were born, was torn down when the new one was built.
Frankie was known for being part of the Orange Blossom Cosmetology Association of Florida, the Friendly Garden Club of Lake Alfred, a Bethel Baptist Church member and the chili cups she sold.
The summer days were fun when you had a chili cup in one hand and waving with the other.
This is a small story about the Clay Family. More will be share when the video series start and more about the history of Lake Alfred is shared.
Thank you for allowing me to share a little of the Clay history.
