Clara Hudspeth

Clara Ann Hudspeth, resident of Ponca City, passed Monday, February 18, 2013 at the Ponca City Medical Center. She was 76 years of age.

Clara was born October 16, 1936 at Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Virgil Ballard and Mary Hayden Ballard, known as Papa and Nanny.

She married JB Hall on May 16, 1953. The couple lived in San Diego, California. The couple returned to Oklahoma, living in Bartlesville, Fredrick and Ponca City until JBs death in 1974. Clara entered the work force in the Ponca City School District at West Junior High, serving in Food Services in various capacities. Her sons Dennis and Doug really enjoyed the extra Cinnamon Rolls.

Clara married Charley Hudspeth on February 26, 1979. They lived in Ponca City where they pastored Glad Tidings Assembly of God from 1979 until 1982. They moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1982 where they pastored Flagstaff Assembly of God for two years. They moved to Phoenix in 1984 to pioneer Bell Gardens Assembly of God for a total of 18 years. In 2002 Clara and Charley moved back to Ponca City.

In 2006 Charley and Clara took Newkirk Assembly of God until present. Sunday February 17th, she gave a strong admonishment to their church body from Isaiah 41 to not be afraid but to trust God.

Clara was active in the Arizona School District in the Bookstore Office. Clara was a substitute teacher in the Ponca City School District System for many years and loved her students and coteachers as well. All that knew her loved her as well.

Once a little boy told mom when she was teaching after he looked at her skin he said Dang, you are old Mom told this story many times. Mom was full of stories about life and LOVED to laugh and have fun. One of her favorite words was NASTY She totally believed in sanctification Cleanliness was very close to godliness in her eyes..

She LOVED her Sons, and her daughters in law were DAUGHTERS NOT in laws her words. Clara was a friend to everyone and was greatly loved by all. Mom was a MOMMA to every child that she met, her sense of humor was infectious and laughter truly was a medicine in her life. She was actively involved in church life and taught Sunday School for over 50 years

Clara was a powerful prayer warrior, was a strong student of the scripture and spent her life loving Jesus and loving people.


The stories about life in general gave her great joy. Her collected trinkets mostly related to turtles including 13 turtles that lived in the back yard known by name, and extremely pampered. Clara the Turtle Whisperer would call them to come eatand they would

Clara had a trumpet voice that could be heard around the neighborhood, but especially at wrestling matches where the phrase Dont let him do that to you was shouted to the entire event She practiced wrestling moves with her sons, and when challenged by other young ladies held her own

Clara was involved in 2 significant car accidents that could have been fatal, but was powerfully healed by the mighty hand of God.

Grandma HudLOVED HER KIDS, Grandkids and was VERY protective over all.

Clara is survived by her husband, Charley Hudspeth, of the home three sons Jim Hall and wife, Sheree, of Minnesota, Dennis Hall and wife, Mariann, of Ponca City and Doug Hall and wife, Carri, of Oklahoma City two sisters Pauline Lawhead and Virgie Formby and husband, Don one brother, Ray Ballard and wife, Jean brothersinlaw Tom, Richard and Ira, and their wives numerous Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Mary Ballard and her late husband J.B. Hall brotherinlaw, Rocky Lawhead.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Assembly of God Church of Ponca City. Her sons will preside over the service. Interment will follow in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Josh Hall, Tim Hall, Ian Hall, Justin Hall and Sean Hall. Honorary casket bearers will be Bobby Brumley, Jim Looney, Jim McDougel and Doyle Houston.

Memorial contributions may be made to the BGMC Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge, in care of the Newkirk First Assembly of God Church, 424 South Main Street, Newkirk, Oklahoma 74647.