With broken hearts, those of us remaining bid farewell to a remarkable woman who graced our lives with unwavering love. My Aunt Clara Jane Lawrence lived a rich and fulfilling 95 years, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her. Her life was a testament to the power of family, love, laughter, and her gift of hospitality.

She opened her doors to family and all our friends. As teenagers, we felt so welcomed all those summers spent at Claytor Lake. I remember being there with her July 1969, when man landed on the moon. Funny the things that stay in your memories of someone special. Days were filled with biscuits and gravy, swimming, skiing, campfires, hot coffee and the delicious meals she prepared in that tiny kitchen. Feeding others was a reflection of her nurturing spirit, and no one ever left her table hungry. It came so naturally to her that she never missed a beat.

As many of us can attest, those summer weekends were a whirlwind of playfulness and shenanigans, which she loved.

Even as her years advanced, Aunt Clara’s spirit remained undiminished. The last time I visited her, (May 2024), she shared how content she was, and that was true; it exuded from her. Aunt Clara’s laughter was contagious, and her ability to find joy in the simplest of moments was inspiring. She had a knack for making those she loved feel cherished and valued. Her texts and social media posts were filled with humor and encouragement — each one ending with a heartfelt “I love you.”

Aunt Clara’s strength and resilience through life’s challenges were admirable, and she had plenty of experience with the hard things.

While we mourn the loss, the last of that generation in our family, we find comfort in knowing that she is now with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4;13-18

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

We are forever grateful for the years and her memory will live on in our hearts. I love you ❤️

Read her obituary on Find-a-Grave