Clara Moates

Our beloved mother, grandmother was born in Waterloo Tennessee to the parents of Henry John Foxford of Plymouth, England and Carrie Lee Taylor of Tennessee. The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1927. At the age of 10 years old she worked beside her parents picking cotton and this was just an example of her character and strength that would follow her the rest of her life. On November 30, 1935 she was married to Deolus Douglas Moates. They were married for 47 years and raised two sons, Douglas Ray and DeWayne. They raised their family in south Oklahoma City in the Capitol Hill district. In the early years she worked for Wilson’s Foods and Deolus worked for Tinker Air Force Base. During this time they did a lot of traveling and sightseeing before starting their family.She was later employed by Tinker Air Force Base and Kerr McGee but found a passion for Antiques and devoted the rest of her life working in the Antique business. Clara owned Foxford Galleries, which was located downtown for several years before she moved her shop to the Farmer’s Market. Clara was a member of the Oklahoma Antique Association and held many leadership positions within the association. For several years she traveled to England for the purchase of fine Antiques and collectables. On her first trip to England it was to celebrate her oldest son, Doug’s, 21st birthday who was in the Air Force, stationed in Germany. Around the year 1980 they retired and moved to Tahlequah Oklahoma living along the Illinois River. Upon moving to Tahlequah Clara decided retirement was not for her, she took a position working in a photo lab in town. For the first time, at the age of 63, she applied for a driver’s license. With her earnings from her job she purchased her first car a 1981 Honda Civic Wagon. After the death of her husband Deolus, she moved back to Oklahoma City in 1983 purchasing a home. That is when she started traveling more. She enjoyed cruises, small road trips with friends and fine dining. She hosted many dinners with family and friends and believed in proper etiquette, always setting a fashionable table. She later got into gardening and always kept a beautiful yard. She became a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and developed a crush on Troy Aikman. Also a fan of OU Sooner Football and watched as often as she could. She was the youngest sibling of the Foxford family. She was preceded by brother Oscar Foxford and sister Lucille Moore, husband Deolus Douglas Moates and son Douglas Ray Moates. She is survived by son DeWayne Moates, daughter n law Bonnie. Grandchildren Steve Moates, Keri Chaffin, Tracy Nelson, Jennifer Bentley , Robert Moates, Bryan Moates, Heidi Caughman and Adam Moates, and thirteen great grandchildren.

Fond memories of Clara through the eyes of her grandchildren

Summer’s in Tahlequah, chasing fire flies and shooting fireworks. Lazy days on the river, picking blackberries and huckleberries. Antiques and French lace. Grandma did not like bugs!!

Steven Moates

Doing antique shows with grandma and having to dress up and be a lady.

Keri Chaffin

I remember her tying bells on the back of my tricycle so she would know where I was through the house. I was the only one allowed to ride in the house. She also let me play with her old dolls that were about my size.

Jennifer Bentley

Taking grandma for a ride in my red mustang and kind of getting on it and her saying “Adam slow down you are scaring me”.

Adam Moates

Dancing with grandma’s life size bronze statues when I was 3 years old. Mowing grandma’s yard and her taking me to buy me a new weed eater so I could do a better job.

Bryan Moates

Arrangements under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK.