Beatrice Bea Harris Clay

Beatrice Bea Harris Clay, age 84, died September 28, 2008 at Hillcrest Convalescent Center. Bea was born on July 1, 1924, daughter of the late Leonidas Young Harris and Irma Morris Harris. She graduated from Durham High School in 1943 and worked as a Secretary in Durham, Brunswick, Georgia and Pensacola, Florida before starting to work at Laneey Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia in 1962. With a desire for adventure, she traneerred to the Defense Intelligence Agency for an assignment in Karachi, Pakistan. Her next tours of duty were Bonn, Germany and Vienna, Austria, after which she was assigned to the Pentagon. Retiring from the Department of Energy, Mrs. Clay remained in the Arlington, VA area until 1988 when she returned to Durham. She received an Associate Degree at night from Northern Virginia Community College. Mrs. Clay was the widow of William A. Clay, who died July 19, 1959. She was predeceased by her brother, Leon Harris and sister, Edith Sweat. Surviving are her sister-in-law, Hilda S. Harris of Durham; nephews, Wayne G. Sweat, and his wife Mary of Twin Post, ID and Russell Y. Harris and his wife Dawn of Raleigh; nieces, Brenda S. Kitchens of Savannah, GA and Cheryl Hicks and her husband Frank of Oxford. Graveside services will be held 11 AM Wednesday from Maplewood Cemetery with the Rev. Forest Gale officiating. At Mrs. Clay's request, there will be no visitationeeld. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are with Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online memorials www.hallwynne.com