Clara V. Touchstone

JANUARY 31, 1937 – July 7, 2024 (87)

Clara was born in Santa Rosa County, FL to the late Clois Messick Sr and

Dovie Suesana Hobbs. Clara is survived by her children Odis Lynn (Sheril) Touchstone, Jerry Touchstone, Sherry (JJ) Wendling, Rhonda Touchstone, son-in-law Jeffrey Davis and six grandchildren, Denni (Anna) Smith, Amanda Smith, Eugenia Basco, Jessie (Terri J) Touchstone, Brandi (LJ) Andrews and Hunter (Summer) Mandel. Clara had 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Clara is also survived by her sister Allyne (Pete) Nichols and sister-in-law Shirley Messick.

Clara grew up in Beulah and Brownsville areas of Pensacola FL and began her professional career by working behind the candy counter at F. W. Woolworth Department Store on Palafox Ave, and how sweet it was! It was here she met her husband Odis and fell in love. After marrying Odis, she focused on raising a family of five children (Pam, Lynn, twins Jerry and Sherry, and Rhonda) while Odis built custom homes in the Pensacola area. They loved fishing so much they developed the Tall Pines Campground on Perdido Key where Clara helped run the General Store. They owned and operated the Baldwin Kubota Tractor dealership in Robertsdale, AL, but when travelling back and forth became too tiring, they sold the campground and moved over to Alabama where they ran the tractor business for 22 years before they retired. In retirement, they enjoyed vacationing (usually involving fishing or a casino somewhere), tending their garden, and watching their grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. They were married for 52 years prior to Odis’ passing in 2010.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband Odis L Touchstone, daughter Pamela Davis, parents Clois and Dovie Messick, sisters, Geraldine Anderson, Pauline Mussman, Jeanette Brown, Diane Byle and brothers Clois Messick and James Messick.

Clara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt and she will be missed by her family and friends who loved her dearly. The Touchstone family wishes to give special thanks to the hospice staff of Southern Care.

Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, July 12, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00am at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Pensacola, FL with Funeral Services immediately following at 11:00 am.