Patricia Gay Claypool

Patricia Gay Claypool, age 78, of Cottontown, Tennessee, took her last breath, surrounded by family members, on March 24, 2026, though they are persuaded that her spirit passed through the gates of heaven into the loving arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Sunday evening, March 22.

Gay was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, February 25, 1948, to the late Ray and Gwendolyn Jett Snyder.

She is survived by her husband, Steve “Pappy” Claypool; children, Lisa (Mike) McFarling, Travis (Ashley) Claypool, and Dana (Jarrod) Ramsey; 14 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Kevin (Jill) Snyder and Kim (Rob) Kruse; many nieces and nephews; and her two fur babies, Darcy, her precious 6 pound yorkie poo and Journey, her prized 25 pound chiboschmadoodle.

Gay’s first priority was her relationship with God and His Son Jesus, and in that context she demonstrated lifelong devotion to Steve and every member of her large extended family, to most of whom she was known as Mimi. Ever loving, ever giving, of her resources but especially of her time and energy, any attempt to count the number of school events, band competitions, piano and dance recitals, soccer, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football competitions, birthday parties and more, not just for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but nieces, nephews and others she loved as well, would yield an incomplete result in the thousands.

For more than 15 years, cherishing her role as a stay at home Mom, Gay also provided child care in her home, loving on each child while in her care as she did her own, providing biblical love, teaching, fun and discipline to dozens of children, with some relationships lasting well into their adult years.

In 2000 Gay perceived an opportunity to help churches save dollars on certain of their purchase costs so the savings could be used to help them reach more people for Jesus. Her Lord has blessed the growth and effectiveness of the ministry He inspired, and it now includes service to about 3,500 camps, conference centers, rescue missions, Teen Challenge organizations, churches and more throughout all 50 United States and even a few dozen in Canada.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. in the Chapel of First Baptist Church, 106 Bluegrass Commons Boulevard, Hendersonville, Tennessee, with Dr. Ray Cleek officiating. Interment will follow the service at 3:30 P.M. in Rocky Springs Cemetery, 12000 Cemetery Road, Bowling Green, KY. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, 104 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville and on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to Compassion International, In Memory of Gay Claypool, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80997 www.compassion.com

Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Hendersonville (615) 822-4442 www.sumnerfuneral.com