Camille Blay

Camille Thompson Blay, 72, passed away Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, at her home.  Camille Thompson, the only child of Otho and Seleta Thompson, was born March 30, 1934, at her maternal grandparents' home in Hastings, Okla.  She spent her school years in Hastings, participating in music and drama during high school.  When Camille was in first grade, she met John Blay who was in the second grade. They were sweethearts off and on through grade school and high school. John graduated in 1951 and enlisted in the Navy. Camille graduated in 1952 and enrolled at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls. They married Oct. 25, 1954, in Hastings.  Over the following years the Blay family grew with the birth of Sammy and Carrie. Then they moved to Grand Prairie and later to Euless, where the family grew even more with the birth of Lea Ann. They moved to Mansfield in August 1972.  For years the family had horses which Camille cared for. She even had a medicine kit that had "Doc Blay" printed on the side which she carried with her to all the horse events.  The Blay family members were horse lovers. Camille took pleasure in watching John and the kids in whatever event they rode. She also loved working in her yard in the summer. She told everyone she was "solar powered," and she was.  She helped with Lord's Acre projects at the First United Methodist Church, where she was a devoted member for 32 years. She was one of the first three female ushers in the history of the church.  She was hospitality chairperson for several years in the Newcomers Club. She also belonged to the Widowed Persons Service and Widows in Networking organizations.  Camille delighted dressing up for Halloween to pass out candy to her grandchildren and neighborhood children. She also loved showing off her Santa collection at Christmas time.  Camille was the grandmother of eight wonderful grandchildren, ages 3 to 29. She attended and enjoyed all activities in which her grandkids were involved.  John preceded her in death Jan. 23, 1994. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in October of that year.  Survivors: Her son, Sammy Thompson Blay and wife, Kathy, of Springtown; daughters, Carrie Jon Wells and husband, Rusty, of Burleson, Lea Ann Clay and husband, Destry, of Alvarado; grandchildren, Jason, Shane and Kody Blay, Derek and Lauren Wells, Mollie Carroll, and Carson and Chandler Clay; sister-in-law, Chloe Graves and husband Eddie, of Haysville, Kan.; and a number of loving cousins, very close friends and church family members. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Camille Blay please visit our Sympathy Store.