Our loving Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Baby Sister, Aunt and Friend Ms. Clara Jean Clanton Croy was born in Glen Rose, Texas to Johnnie Dee Pittman Clanton and R.C.Clanton September 1, 1955. Clara left this world on the morning of March 4, 2023 on the hilltop she called home in Hamilton Texas surrounded by abundant love with her family and friends. She taught us all the true meaning of love, faith and courage.
Clara started school in Walnut Springs Texas. She enjoyed the many happy summers with her Grandmothers Ms.Julia Jackson Pittman and Ms. Julia Rhodes Lee with the benefit of learning wisdom from the great aunts and uncles and the seeds of faith under the old tabernacle on warm summer nights . She loved the hours of adventure running the fields and dirt roads, swimming at Jackson Crossing and the cold gushing springs; the summers of continuing childhood friendships and special time with all the cousins. She was an excellent student graduating from McCallum High in 1972 in Austin and married her first love. After returning from San Diego as a Navy wife she worked for Texas Instruments and welcomed her first born son Christopher.
Clara enjoyed her years of service with Texas State Agencies in the Capitol city preceding her family move to Hamilton and the birth of her daughter Jessica. She made many friends and found love again in Hamilton and wed Casey Croy. Clara worked hard and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved to watch her grandchildren in sports, she loved to play dominoes, cards and bingo. She loved to travel, especially if a casino was involved. Her life was enriched by her valued friendships and enjoyed time shared with her dedicated friend and confidant Pat Lester.
Preceded in death by her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Parents, Brother ER Clanton, Larry Sharpe Sister Valdeen McCall, Sisters in law Mrs. Kevin Sharpe and Mrs. Larry Sharpe, Nephews Shaun Sharpe and Travis Daniel Hoffman.
Clara is survived by husband Casey Croy, Beloved Son Christopher Sharpe, Beloved Daughter Jessica and Pastor Dane Barron, Grand Daughters Madison (Madi), Kaitlyn (K.K.), and Abigail (Abby),
Brother Douglas McCall, Sister Connie and Gary Hoffman Brothers in law Clifton (Stephanie) and Chris (Tonya) Croy, Nelson (Betty) Sharpe, Kevin Sharpe, Sister in law Shelilah Dean (James) Mothers in law Betty Smith and Naomi Sharpe.
Nieces: Jamie Hoffman, Pam Ammerman (Tony), Susan Ferrence (Jeff), Thelma Graves (Kurt), Jeremy Eary, McKenzie, Delaney, Kris, Tori, and Zach Croy. Grand nieces and nephews Chris and Daniel Creekmore, Ethan and Emma Graves, Taylor Lawson and Valerie Lawson O'Conner Scout Francke and Soquie Hoffman-Francke Cousins Cowboy and Buck Griffin (Les & Wes), Joyce Pittman, Wayne Pittman, Wade Pittman, Hal Pittman, Terry Griffin, Donna Griffin Weaver, Wes Griffin, Skipper Griffin, and Ginger Griffin.
She understood her diagnosis and accepted her challenge with unfathomable courage and solid faith. In her last weeks she wasted no time in pulling the family close while reaching out to connect family, friends, and the kid's old school mates gently and quietly weaving a network to help support us in her passing. She was prepared for the transition with a close relationship with Pastor Dane.
The family is thankful to the many doctors, nurses and wound care team of Hamilton Hospital, the generous hours in travel and compassionate care provided by hospice, the prayers, support and generosity of the First Baptist Church Family of Evant, and our friends at Riley's Funeral Home.
Please remember Clara with donations to Skin Cancer Research, First Baptist Church of Evant, and feeding the hungry through Hill Country Food Pantry.
