Clara Mae Scrivner on April 13th, 1931 on a family farm in Perkins, Oklahoma, Clara Mae was born to George and Sena Tilley. She was the sixth of seven children, which included her five brothers and one sister. When Clara was nine years old, her father had a heart attack and passed away, leaving the family to care for the land and one another. Her mother took a job in the city leaving the farm work to the children. Clara’s job was to cook and wash the clothes for the whole family.
At 16 years old, Clara met the love of her life, Richard while he was visiting his family in Oklahoma after being honorably discharged from the Navy. Though at first she wasn’t interested, he quickly won over her heart. Clara and Richard wrote letters to one another for the next two years bridging their distance from her family farm to his home in California. As soon as Clara was 18 and had graduated high school they were married in Oklahoma. She and Richard were quickly blessed with their first child, Tom in February of 1951. About a year later, the family moved to San Francisco, California where Sue was born in October 1953. Clara and Richard made their final move to Fresno where they planted their roots and in September 1958 their youngest, Ron, was born.
When the kids were younger, she used her sewing skills to make their clothes and help the family save money. She would use her other talent like sanding and painting to hand-make gifts for loved ones. Richard would often help by cutting the wood for her many crafts. She loved to work with her hands and put her personal touch on anything she could, a true example of putting your heart into everything you do.
The biggest call on her heart was children. Clara’s most beloved title was, “mother.” Children were the absolute joy of her life. She valued all the children around her and loved each of them as if they were her own. She would look after cousins and even volunteered in the church nursery.
Her heart for the Lord was evident at First Church of God where she served for over 40 years. In addition to caring for children in the nursery, Clara served in Evangelism Explosion and the church office as far back as Pastor Shrout. She was able to serve alongside Richard in the audio department where they would record the sermons and use the tapes to reach those who were unable to attend in person. Her dedication and reliability led to her being brought on staff where she continued to serve until April of 1995.
Clara’s greatest legacy of her faith and love for the Lord has been passed down to the generations she leaves behind and they rest in the peace of knowing that she is with the love of her life and her Savior.
A graveside service for Clara will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 10:15 AM at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706. Following the graveside service will be a memorial service from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at First Church of God of Fresno, 3920 N. First Street, Fresno, CA 93726.
Serving as pallbearers are Miles Scrivner, John Lambert, Cameron Mensor, Jimmy Lockwood, Aiden Cox and Lance Kruse.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tinklerfuneralchapel.com for the Scrivner family.
