Clara Ross

Funeral Service and Visitation for Mrs. Clara M. Ross were held on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Friendly Temple Baptist Church, 5544 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Rev. Michael Jones, Pastor, Elder Phillip Cooper, Eulogist. Mrs. Ross was intered at Lake Charles Park Cemetery, St. Louis, MO. Clara M. Ross was born July 28,1921 to the union of Mable and William Lucas. Clara was the oldest of 10 children. Clara accepted Christ at an early age. In her early childhood which she often reflected the best spent years of her life were back on her Uncle’s farm in Belmont, Mo. At around 12 years old, Clara and her family moved to Cairo, Il. to further her education where she later met and married the late James Earnest Smith at age 16. To this union three baby boys and one baby girl Geraldine Smith were born. Her three boys preceded them both in death. Clara and James separated in the early 1940s and in the late 1940s, Clara relocated to East St. Louis, Il. for about 8 years and then moved to St. Louis, Mo. In July 1963 Clara moved to Lawrence, Ks were she spent 40 years of her adult life. While living in Lawrence she attended classes in Kansas City, Mo. to obtain an LPN license. In 1966 Clara married James Ross. Clara and James Ross were married until September 1973. In early 2001 James Smith and Clara reunited were she cared for him until he went home to glory in May of 2001. In April 2006 after being in Lawrence for 40 years Clara finally came home to St. Louis, Mo. due to Alzheimer’s where she remained in the care of her family. Clara was loving, caring, protecting, sensitive, dedicated, responsible, and always a giving person that had a smile that would make your heart melt. Most of Clara’s life you could always find her helping or caring for the family. Clara took pride in her family. Clara was a woman walking in wisdom. She was so full of wisdom you could learn something from Clara just by the way she would eat her food. She had a very giving spirit for helping people, and would often say, “ always take care of your family ,because they are all you have”. On August 05, 2010 at 8:43 pm our precious Lord stopped time, parted the clouds, and called His angel home. Although we now weep, she has fulfilled her purpose and there is comfort in knowing she is resting in peace where no pain and suffering exists. There are no limits to the hearts Clara has touched. Life is a gift from God, the fruitage of the belly, in which Clara received the gift of being able to enjoy nearly 9 decades of life and being in the presence of five generations of herself; her child, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and also great-great grandchildren. One of her grandchildren, Norvell Taylor preceded her in death. Also preceding her death is Mable and William Lucas, James( Mary Ester) Lucas, Thomas Lucas, Virgie Davis, Sarah Maxine Lucas. Clara leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Geraldine Taylor, St. Louis, MO., her siblings, George Lucas of Waukegan, Il., Charles F.(Jesse Lee) Lucas, Don Edward (Sharon) Lucas, Lillie Lucas all of St. Louis, Dorothy Walker of Chicago, Il., three grandchildren, Ernestine (Elijah) Hughes, Luther (Porchia) Taylor, Lowell Thomas Taylor all of St. Louis, Mo. , seven great grand children Lakisha Wells, Murial Wells, Jessica (Aaron) Cromer, Elicia Hughes, Elijah Hughes 3rd, Devion Hughes, Jackie Marshall and son, three Great-great grand children Jacqese Ruffin, Daniel Thomas Jr, Makayla Wells all of St. Louis. A host of nieces, nephews, family and friends and also extended family. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the lord, the righteous judge shall give me that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8