Clara McClanahan

Clara K. McClanahan, 96, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Sunday, May 16, 1920, in the small town of Loretta, Tennessee, to Edd and Laura Brown Littrell. Her family moved to a cotton farm in the Bootheel of Missouri when she was a young girl.

Clara went to school and helped take care of her brothers and sisters. She attended school until the ninth grade and then had to help her mother at home. She later got her GED in the 1950s and attended nursing school shortly after.

Clara met the love of her life, Roy L. McClanahan, and they were married in 1936 in Pemiscot County. He preceded her in death Oct. 21, 1991.

Clara worked at Rust & Martin, where she made beautiful upholstery for 25 years. She could create beautiful curtains, chairs and bedding. During World War II, she made uniforms for the soldiers. She was also a nurse's assistant and a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Throughout Clara's life, she always loved the Lord. Her faith was always very important. She was a lifelong member of First General Baptist Church. She was a loving, sweet and family-oriented woman. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her son, Jerry (Barbara) McClanahan of Cape Girardeau; grandsons, Scott (Susan) McClanahan and their children, Ross and Lexie, of Cape Girardeauand Collin (Lisa) McClanahan and their children, TroyLee and Lauren, of Gordonville; and brothers, Alton Littrell of San Antonio and Dale (Regina) Littrell of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers; and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tom Sullenger officiating. Burial will be at Old Morley Cemetery in Morley, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Grace United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.