Clara Johnson West

Clara Johnson West lived a meaningful life filled with her family, friends and interesting travels. We will miss her smiles, talent and engaging spirit. She was born in Sarepta, Mississippi on May 8, 1923, the daughter of Wade Hampton Johnson and Sallie Catherine Bland Johnson. Her artistic talent drew her to study fine arts and conservation at the Corcoran Art Gallery and George Washington University where she studied under Eugen Weisz, Nicoli Cikovsky, Heinz Warneke and Jaska Shaffran. One of the highlights of her studies was receiving first prize for her “Seeds for Britain” work. The award was presented to her in the White House by the British ambassador for the British War Relief Society. In the post war era she actively worked as an impressionist painter, art teacher and conservator of oil paintings. Her works as a portrait artist were commissioned for educational and banking institutions in the Southeast as well as in private homes. She also drew line drawings for bas relief plaques to be cast by Balfour for public buildings. Clara required the subject to come to her home studio to capture their likeness and personality. When the United States Senator, John Stennis , then Chairman of the Armed Services Committee came to sit, accompanied by the Secret Service; Clara joked that she needed a bigger canvas. In 1966 she was inducted into Who’s Who in American Art. She had a professional membership in the American Institute for Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works. Clara recently was honored for her 50 years of membership and service in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Geneology research for family and friends was a passion and joy to her. Other memberships include Magna Carta Dames, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Daughters of the American Colonists, and St. Martha’s Guild of St. Johns. Her passing on October 22, 2011 is a great loss. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Jackson West, sister Lillian Stebbing, brothers Earl Johnson, Wayne Johnson and Wanza Johnson. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Catherine and Leigh Griffith, Brentwood, TN, son Stewart West, Winnetka, IL and four grandchildren, Calle Griffith, Jim Griffith, Jackson West and Sean West. Services will be held for the family at St. John’s Cathedral, Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Children’s Hospital, 13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, Co 80045, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral,1350 Washington Street, Denver, CO,80203 or charity of choice.