Clara West

Clara Belle was born to Charlie and Narcissus Patterson on March 26, 1930 in OakRidge, LA. She attended elementary and middle school there before later moving to Ponca City, where she attended Attucks School and graduated in 1948. She met her future husband Floyd during her high school years they married on December 25, 1953. To this union they brought one daughter, Florine West Johnson and had two sons, Floyd Dwain and Delbert Charles.
Clara worked for Conoco for almost 25 years retiring in 1985. One never to be still, Clara always found something to keep her hands busy. She worked parttime as home care provider, and found her niche sitting and caring for the elderly. Most recently, she cared for Elizabeth Petty who was 96 years of age. Elizabeth and C as she was affectionately called became the best of friends. Each day was a new adventure for them and they had ablast.
Although Clara and Floyd had three children they opened their hearts and home to many people and made them a part of their family. Clara had many adopted children, but she claimed Diane Anderson as her own daughter.
Clara had a passion for shopping. She loved to go to the mall, browse, watch the people, and have lunch. Having grown up in a big family with a garden and fruit trees, Clara loved to preserve fruits and vegetables as well as make jams and jellies. In her later years she rekindled her passion for baking. Many people were the recipients of her delectable pound cakes, cobblers and brownie cakes. Clara loved to have guests over for dinner and would spend days getting everything ready. She also loved to travel.
More than anything Clara loved the Lord. Her walk with her Lord and Savior became sweeter with each passing day. Clara was doing what the Bible instructs, teaching young women. Most recently she had started helping with the childrens Sunday school class. It made her laugh and gave her joy to be called the Mother of the Church. She loved her family, and she never tired of talking about her boys, Dwain and Delbert. It was with much enthusiasm that she talked about her grandchildren and in recent times, of her great grand children. Clara never ended her calls with her family and friends without saying love you or most recently with Love, Love, Love You.
Clara was preceeded in death by her parents, Charlie and Narcissus Patterson four brothers, George, Charles, Billie and Herbert five sisters, Bessie, Lucille, Rosie, Urma and Maggie and her husband of 46 years Floyd N. West.
She leaves a legacy of caring and giving to her daughter, Florine West Johnson of Ft. Smith, AR, sons, Dwain West of Ponca City and Delbert West of Oakland, CA and her adopted daughter, Diane Anderson of Ponca City. Additionally, left to carry the torch are her grandchildren Frances Moffitt, Charletta Hammons and Charisse Johnson, Fort Smith, AR, Randall, Julian and Dominic West, Oakland, CA, Tee Travis Rawles, Atlanta, GA, Keesha West and Mark Webb II, Ponca City, OK 17 great grandchildren three great great grand children two brothers, Willie Buddy Patterson, Oakridge, LA and Wilbert Pop Patterson, Bastrop, LA one sister, Ollie Mae Buffingtion , Ponca City, OK brotherinlaw R.C. Slim West, Fort Smith AR special cousins Mary Red Thomas, Tulsa, OK and Fred Montgomery, Bastrop, LA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Clara, AKA: Mrs. West, Clara Belle, Momma, MawMaw, Grandma and Red ended her earthly travels and began her heavenly journey on Friday, September 24, 2010. Casket bearers for the service will be Leonard Coffee, Leslie Anderson, Ben Young, Lee Cotton, Chris Shores and Robert Gibbs
The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 1, 2010 at Northeast Baptist Church with Pastor, Don Echols of New Life Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Attucks Community Center 1001 S. 12th, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.