Clara was the fifth out of eight born to Charlie Hoy Martin and Nina Estelle Spann on July 14, 1931 in Paris, Texas.
As a young child she constantly nurtured and cared for her younger siblings with great joy and pride. In high school, when her family's house in Hugo, Oklahoma burned to the ground and they were left with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing and a family Bible, she continued to care for her family by leaving school and taking multiple jobs to provide. One of these jobs was riding bulls and bare broncs in rodeos in Texas and surrounding states.
She moved to Dallas for job opportunities, and in 1953, while working for Southland Corporation, her beloved Bobby caught a glimpse of her across the room and declared to all his colleagues within earshot that he had seen the woman he was going to marry. A few months later they married began a union that thrived for 66 years.
Her life's purpose was to care for others. Her sharp sense of fashion, love of coffee, and heart to serve was unmatched. This was quickly noticed by her friends at Lindale Specialty Care, the facility she lived at the last few months in Lindale, Texas.
Clara would say the accomplishment she was most proud of was her family. She and Bobby raised two children, Terri Lynn Caster and Rhonda Gayle Biggs. She loved her sons-in-law, David Caster and Jeff Biggs, and her granddaughters, Kimberly Caster Morgan and Ashley Biggs Ashcraft. Her great- grandchildren, Austin Ward, Micaiah Ashcraft, Eleanor Ashcraft, Adeline Ashcraft, and Silas Ashcraft also brought her tremendous joy. The last few years her digital frame with pictures of her family was never too far away. Just looking at a picture of her great grandchildren would bring a smile to her face, a light to her eyes, and story to mind.
Bobby and Clara moved to Oakland Community and became members at Oakland Baptist Church after his retirement in 1966. Clara leaves a legacy of integrity, determination, and fierce love. She spent her life caring for others, especially her family. While she is deeply missed, we live in hope and wait expectantly to see her again.
Clara is preceded in death by her parents, her seven siblings, her husband Bobby, and her daughter Terri (1955-2001). She is survived by daughter Rhonda (Jeff); and grandchildren Kimberly, Ashley (Karl); and five great grandchildren.
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