Rev. Lovia Lynette Clay

Lovia Lynette Clay was born on May 7, 1954, to the union of Theodore and Lovie (Wilson) Clay. She and her sister Lois took piano lessons from Mrs. Elaine Shoemaker for years playing in recitals and earning certificates. Lynette attended Benton Harbor area schools until she graduated in June with the class of 1972 and attended Lake Michigan College. Continuing her love for music she joined the Sounds Unlimited Gospel Ensemble and in later years The Strong Women of Faith Gospel Choir. 

After graduating Lynnette worked at Win Schuyler's restaurant and pub.  She then gained employment at the Berrien County juvenile center as Intake Coordinator and Mentor.  She then relocated to Chicago where she gained employment with Pinkerton Security where she secured Jerry Springer and Jenny Jones television shows, the Bulls as well as the Black Hawks.  Her employment journey took her to take her security skills to the Hollywood Casino in Aurora, Illinois where she secured actors, actresses, and musicians such as Barry White, Steven Segall, and Aretha Franklin to name a few.  

When home and family were on her mind, she relocated back to Benton Harbor and continued with her security skills and worked at Atlantic Automotive now named Javis manufacturing.  She rejoined Rev. Clarissa Blackamore at The Ebeneezer spiritual Temple and was ordained in 1978 or 1979 in the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ.

After worshiping there for many years and growing more in the word Pastor Blackamore sent Lynette to The Spiritual Development Chapel of Benton Harbor under the leadership of Rev. Loretta Roberts who was ill.  Lynette pastored the congregation for 11 to 12 years bringing many souls to Christ.

Although her vision lifts her in 2006, she did not let that stop her. She would attend anything that was going on in Benton Harbor and elsewhere; to concerts, to shopping, going out to eat, but most of all preaching the word and singing to whoever asked.  Her favorite hobbies were traveling, singing, watching Perry Mason episodes, Turner Classic movies, reruns of all of the Fast and Furious series, and all of the Star Wars movies

She leaves precious memories in the heart of her sister Lois Clay, stand in Mother Edna Roberts, her older sister Lula Jenkins and her family, her loves Myla, Sammy, and Josiah Page. God sisters: Patricia Martin and Katherine Wimberley -Harden, Godson and daughter Shamika and Bel Air Jones; best friends for life: Patty Bunting, Jackie Clements, Shirley Wares, Franda Daily, Linda Hollins, and Clotee White-Johnson.  Brothers: Keenan Ventress, Keith Davis, Jimmy Young, Rodney Massey, Michael Wilder, and DeMarco Jones.  First cousin Hardie Stewart and family, Valerie McNutt, Freda Carnegie-Joseph and family, and the love of her life Nathaniel Tony.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother Grayling L. Williams, four aunts, one uncle, several cousins, and the family dog Speuty.

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