Twin City - Mrs. Alma Rita Parker Gay, age 88, died Friday at her daughter's residence under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. The Bulloch County native lived in Emanuel County most of her life. Mrs. Gay was a retired seamstress and a homemaker. She was a member of the El Bethel Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for pre-school children for many years, a member of the WMU and a member of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who enjoyed sharing gifts that she created with her family and extended family. Mrs. Gay enjoyed the summer vacations that many of her nieces and nephews spent with her throughout her life. She will be remembered for her love of crafting pageant dresses for her granddaughters and anyone that had a desire to wear one of her creations. She shared many gifts of blankets (referred to by her grandchildren as "Sniffies") with her family and friends.

Mrs. Gay was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Clifford Gay; an infant daughter, Carolyn Gay and a son in law, Belton Baird.

Surviving are two daughters and a son in law, Nancy Baird of Twin City and Lynette and Conner Berry of Statesboro; two sons and daughters in law, James C. and Mary Gay of Garfield and Richard and Theresa Gay of Metter; 13 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren; a brother, Albert Parker of Eden and her longtime dedicated caregiver, Patricia Hodges. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be Sunday at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro with the Rev. Phil Wilson officiating, assisted by Rev. Lamar Little.

Interment will be in the Upper Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the El Bethel Senior Adult Sunday School Class.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, October 4, 2009