Clara Mae Lantrip

Clara attended West End High School where she was a majorette. She met the love of her life, Billy Ray Lantrip, and they were married on February 6, 1949. They built a beautiful life together, having four children who were the highlights of her life. She had a long and interesting career in various fields throughout her life.

Clara retired from Bellsouth Data Processing Department after 30 years. Following retirement, she opened a modeling agency where she met Gloria Vanderbilt and Liz Claiborne. Not long after, Clara found a passion for real estate. She became a realtor, and with Billy, enjoyed meeting wonderful people and selling beautiful homes. She also loved to dance with her husband, and they were stars at gatherings with their jitterbug skills.

Clara is survived by her beloved children: Rebecca Cowden, Tammi Cochran (Jamie), Raynette Goodman (Rocky), and William Lantrip (Jesslyn); her grandchildren: Merri Defoor, Joshua Carter, Kane Goodman, Chazz Lantrip, and Jessi Johnson (Bailey); and great-grandchildren: Elvis Caldwell (Savannah), Zoe Caldwell, Jordan Defoor, Victoria Defoor, Connor Carter, and Kara Carter. She is also survived by her sister, Linda Herring (Jimmy); sister-in-law, Betty Sue Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Clara was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Billy Ray Lantrip; her parents, Lena and Bill Guest; her grandson, Shane Caldwell; her son-in-law, Preston Cowden; her brother, James Ray; her sisters-in-law, Louise Ray, Mary Rose Dorough, Peggy Proctor; her brothers-in-law, Roy G. Lantrip, Sr. and Bobby Lantrip.

A Celebration of Clara's Life was Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, Alabama, with visitation from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 3 p.m. Also on July 12, 2025, the inurnment was at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham and the family hosted a reception at the funeral home afterwards.