Alice Verlene Clapp

Alice Verlene Duncan Clapp was the 1st of 3 daughters born to Wesley Duncan and Betty Huntoon Duncan on April 16th, 1938. After her mother’s death when she was 11, she was raised primarily by her grandparents, Thomas and Mamie Duncan. She grew up in Santa Ana, California, where she met Webster Lawrence Clapp who had traveled all the way from Oklahoma to find work. Alice was working at the Givens Drug Store Soda Fountain, and Webster became a regular. They married the next year on April 20th, 1956.

Alice earned an LVN certification in Springfield, Missouri while raising 5 children and worked as a nurse in Missouri, Indiana, Texas, and Louisiana. She gladly followed her husband to many cities and states as he went to Bible College and then worked as a pastor or in the ministry for much of their life.

Alice liked to sew, crochet, garden, read books, and watch “Wheel of Fortune”. She doted on her pets, Beau and Daisy, Outlaw and Bandit, and Cookie and Rusty, always saving part of her own meal for her precious babies.

Alice and Webster moved to Groves, Texas in 2009 to live with daughter Sarah and son-in-law Lane when Webster’s health began to decline. Alice lovingly took care of Webster’s every need as year after year his health worsened. She was able to fulfill her promise to keep him at home until his death in December 2016.

Alice loved her church family at Val Verde Baptist and was so glad to finally be active in church again after her husband’s passing. She was very generous and was glad to be able to help others in need.

She had a dry sense of humor, was very matter of fact and ALWAYS said what she thought. Webster loved to goad Alice to get a reaction, then smile a little crooked smile when he succeeded.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Webster Clapp; her first born son Daryl Clapp; sister Frances Zavosky; mother and father, Wesley and Betty Duncan.

She is survived by 4 children, Ronald (Glory) Clapp of McDonough, Georgia; Mary (Richard) Hinton of Tennessee Colony, Texas; Paul (Pam) Clapp of Bossier City, Louisiana; Sarah (Lane) Howlett of Groves, Texas; Sister Roberta McMichael of Orange, California; Brother Wes Duncan of Riverside, California; 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, and multiple nieces and nephews.

Thank you to Pastor Nick Dignan and the wonderful members of Val Verde Baptist Church for the care and love they gave her and her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.