Clara Louise Stephens

Clara Louise Stephens, 87, of Bethany, OK died on February 26, 2025. Clara was born on January 30, 1938 in Broken Bow, OK to Artie and Vida Pace. Her father was a meat cutter and small farmer and her mother grew vegetables and fruit, canning and cooking for the large family, all of whom helped in the fields and in the barn. Clara was often asked to tell the story of how her father and mother moved her older brothers and sisters from New Boston, TX to Broken Bow in a wagon during the Great Depression, crossing the Red River on a barge.

Clara graduated valedictorian from Broken Bow High School in 1956 and then moved to Oklahoma City where she was the first in her family to attend college. She worked secretarial jobs to put herself through school and earned her associate’s degree in business from Oklahoma City University in 1958. She met her future husband, Harold G. Stephens II, there and they were married at Nichols Hills Methodist that same year.

Although Clara spent the 1960s raising three children, she enjoyed traveling with her husband on his many business trips during the end of the golden age of jet travel. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Bethany Nazarene College (SNU) in 1978, after which she taught Typing, Shorthand, Cooperative Office Education, American History, and Economics at Yukon Senior High School for 19 years. She was often called upon to serve as class sponsor and co-chair of graduation ceremonies before retiring in 1998.

Clara and Harold moved to Bethany in 1994 spending most of their retirement adoring their granddaughter, Madelyn, and entertaining and hosting Clara’s many beloved sisters and their families. She attended several churches over the years including Mayfair Heights Methodist, Westlake Presbyterian, and Grace Methodist. Later in life, Sunday mornings were always spent watching the First Presbyterian services on television.

It was a great gift to be able to care for Clara in her final years as she had cared for so many.

She is survived by son Harold Wayne Stephens; son Jeffrey Pace Stephens; daughter Susan Lee Stephens-Maxwell and husband Ron L. Maxwell; granddaughter Madelyn Maxwell; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Artie B. Pace and Vida Jones and by her beloved husband of 45 years, Harold G. Stephens II. She was also predeceased by her sisters Cornelia Suenram, Avonelle McHenry, Mary Helen McAlexander, Nina Clarice Monroe, Billie Doris Mitchell, and Ouida Frances Stacy; as well as by her brothers Artie Jr., Hiram, and Thomas Pace.

The family would like to thank Rev. James Shields as well as Megan Nielsen and the caring staff of Enhabit Home Health and Hospice. Visitation will be Thursday, March 6, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, March 7, 2025 at Bill Merritt Funeral Service with interment following at Resurrection Cemetery.