Clara Jeanette Hanes

“If you are reading this, I have made my final—most important—journey, and am now in my forever Home with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Mama and Daddy and Brother and other family and friends, including two husbands. John was the love of my youth and father of our only child. We “grew up” together, living and loving and enjoying this world down here that God loaned us for a while. And then Paul, a surprising gift to one another from God in our advanced age. Don’t mourn for me. I’m Home. I’ll meet you at the Eastern Gate when it is your turn.”

Clara Jeanette Peurifoy Hanes

Clara Jeanette Peurifoy Hanes, 82, of Boutte, Louisiana passed away on March 11, 2026, nine days short of her 83rd birthday. Clara was born on March 20, 1943. She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, John Ferrell Hanes, her second husband of 2 years, Truett Paul Cox, her parents Tom Watson Peurifoy and Charlie May Wofford Peurifoy, and her brother Thomas Weldon Peurifoy.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Lee Hanes Eastland, her son in law, Dr. David B. Eastland, and their children, Zachary Barrett and Holly Vernor Eastland, John Eastland, Thomas Eastland, Mary Clare Eastland, and Andrew Eastland.

Clara was a Certified Registered Nurse (RNC), who began her 53-year nursing career in Northeast Texas as a nursing home manager. Upon moving to Lafayette, La. with her husband, John, she began a long career in the NICU of Lafayette General Medical Center, where she cared for countless premature babies (and their mamas and daddies). As the head of the neonatal transport team, she led many teams to pick up tiny babies via helicopter from outlying hospitals to bring them to LGMC, where they had specialized equipment to care for them. After retirement, she moved in with her daughter and family in Boutte, La. where she became “Grandma Clara” to countless friends, neighbors, and coworkers of Jennifer and David and her grandchildren.

Church worship and attendance was always important to Clara, from her childhood church, FBC Naples, Tx., to her young adult church, FBC Atlanta, Tx., then her family church, FBC Lafayette, La., and finally the church led by her favorite pastor, her son in law, David, FBC Harahan, La. She also had very special friends in Bible study groups at FBC Luling, La. and West St. Charles Baptist Church, Boutte, La. Her favorite Bible Verse was Ephesians 5:14…“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” She is no longer here…she is fully healed and alive in Heaven with Jesus and with the family and friends who have gone on before her.

A Memorial Service is pending at First Baptist Church of Harahan, La. Inurnment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bryans Mill, Tx. at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Westside Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home and First Baptist Church of Harahan. In lieu of flowers, donations to the VBS fund at First Baptist Church of Harahan, 270 Oak Ave., Harahan, La. 70123, would be appreciated.