Emma Arbutus Dillon Clay, age 107, of Glen Daniel, WV passed away at Bowers Hospice House on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Born on April 8, 1919 in Beckley, WV, she was the daughter of the late Quince and Nancy Tyree Dillon. 

Preceding her in death were her husband, Quincy Clay and son, Leonard Clay; sisters Mildred Maynor, Margie Williams, Velma Shumate and her brother Harold Dillon.

Arbutus was a graduate of Trap Hill High School and Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She received her Masters Degree from the College of Graduate Studies (WVU) in Administration. She was the Principal/Teacher at Dillon Creek and Harpers Creek Schools and finished her teaching career at Eccles Elementary and Junior High School.

Arbutus was a member of the Raleigh County Education Association and the West Virginia Education Association. She was recognized by the WV Secretary of States’ Office for 85 consecutive years of voting.

Arbutus was a very quiet, strong and independent person who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. She enjoyed yard work, gardening, canning, and working crossword puzzles, but most of all reading her Bible. She was a member of Mattsville Community Church. Her life centered around her family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Nancy Clay Gentry and husband David of Beckley and Lori M. Knight of Glen Daniel; Grandchildren Leonard Clay, II (Katherine)of Palm Coast, FL, Angela Clay of Beckley and Leah-Ann Schmid (Robert, III) of White Oak; great grandchildren Aaron Clay (Erica), Lacie Clay, Robert Schmid IV, Caleb Schmid and Abigail Schmid and Great - Great Grandson Aiden Clay. Others left to cherish her memory are her nieces, Dr. Nancy Shumate Barton (Dr. James) of GA, Joyce Sweeney of FL, Brenda Anderson, Judy Bailey (Keith) and Margaret Tolliver (Curt) all from the Raleigh County area.

A special thank you to her wonderful caregivers, Patty, Mary, Rosetta, Jennifer, B.J. and Crystal.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Amos E. Quesenberry Peace Chapel of Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley, WV on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1:00 pm., with Garry Hall officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, WV.

Deputies from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, Aaron Clay and Robert Schmid IV will serve as pallbearers.

In-lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Bowers House, Hospice of Southern WV, Inc. at 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be made to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.