Carol Ann Clay Peak

Mrs. Carol Ann Clay Peak, 69, of Lee County, peacefully passed away on Tuesday morning, May 26, 2026, at Willson Hospice House.

Born on March 19, 1957, in Americus, Carol Ann was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert A. Clay, Jr. and Betty Ann Pace Clay. She grew up on the family farm in Lee County and enjoyed farm life including fishing, target shooting, and helping with cows. She progressed through the Lee County School System, graduating in the Class of 1975. After high school Carol Ann continued her education at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, where she completed her BS and MS in Education. In 1977 Carol Ann and Sidney Clinton Peak were married and were joined by their son Zach in 1985.

Carol Ann began her teaching career in Stewart County and later transferred to Lee County Elementary School as a kindergarten, and later a pre-kindergarten teacher. After a number of years Carol Ann moved from classroom teaching to working with the Lee County Library at the Leesburg and Smithville locations.

Throughout her life Carol Ann was an avid reader, with mysteries being a favorite genre. She enjoyed seeing plays – especially musicals – at Theatre Albany, the Rylander, and an occasional visit to the Fox Theatre. The Sound of Music was her very favorite show. She sang for many years in the choir of her church, the DeSoto Baptist Church, and was most recently a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Sumter County. Carol Ann enjoyed traveling and her adventures took her across the United States including Park City, Utah; Yellowstone, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park; Niagara Falls, New York; Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New Orleans, Louisiana; and, of course, her favorite, the von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont where she met a granddaughter of Maria von Trapp.

In addition to her parents, Carol Ann was preceded in death by her brother, Robert A. Clay, III, husband, Sidney Clinton Peak, and her son, Zachary Clay Peak.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Melody Clay Sheffield and Jim of Albany; nephew, James Clay Sheffield of Stony Brook, New York; aunts, Evelyn Clay Hicks of Marietta, and Judith Barlett Clay of Bogart; and many cousins and extended family.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Church, 1256 US 280 Americus, GA, 31709. Visitation and viewing will be held an hour prior to the service. Pastor Marty Dillon will officiate with interment to follow in the Leslie City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in Carol's memory to Willson Hospice House, 320 Foundation Lane Albany, GA. 31707.

Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Carol Ann and her beloved family.