Irene Armstead Clay was born on April 3, 1967, to the late Deloris Keiths and Marion Fennell in Lake City Florida.  She attended school in the Columbia and Hamilton County School Systems. She accepted Christ as an adult and attended Bethlehem Baptist Church, Jennings, Florida under the leadership of Bishop Matthew Webb then later became a member of the Greater Poplar Springs Church in Jasper, Florida.

If you ever went into the Foodway of Jasper and stopped by the deli, Irene would be the one you wanted to see.  Her loving smile and generous heart made her the people person she was known to be.

This beautiful life came to a close on July 21, 2025, at UF Health Shands of Gainesville, where she answered the Master's call.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Martin Luther Clay Jr., her brother, Raymond Lee Armstead, two brother in laws: Clifford Clay Jr, and Eddie Clay.

She leaves to cherish precious memories:  husband-Martin Luther Clay Sr, mother-in-law, Julia Mae (Bonnie) Dye, seven children: Demetrius Armstead, Princess Armstead, Deon Cherry (Amber), Marvin Clay, Malik Clay (Alexis), Tiyanna Simmons, bonus son George (Kerri) Morrell.  Thirteen grandchildren: Zed'keriah Washington, Zed Washington, Jr., Dekavis Cherry, Markeriah Clay, Zed'Yanni Washington, Makayla Clay, Kameron Nealy, Martin Clay III, Markavien Clay, Kyrie Pender, Mar'kevia Clay, Mar'King Clay, Geo'vonni Morrell; two great grandchildren: Dreyveun Jackson and Desiree Cherry. Six sisters: Earline Hayes (John), Jessie Bristol (Gerald), Linda Stewart, Caylon Allen (Tommie) Lavoria Hollie (Gary), Jewel Ward, and bonus brother Darnell Stewart. One daughter in law: Shalice Giddens, One sister in law: Angela Jackson, one brother in law: Eric Young.  A host of sorrowing aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her favorite nurse, Geralyn.