Clara Woodward

Clara Beatrice Woodward of Utopia passed away on May 19, 2008 at her residence at the age of 95. She was born on March 10, 1913 in Grimes County, Texas to William East Howard and Laura Belle Woods Barry. Her early days were spent in Grimes County, TX and College Station, TX. Her father, thinking her to be a dependable and mature child, allowed her to drive the family car from their country home to school beginning at age 9. During her high school years, the family lived in Houston Heights where she graduated from Reagan High School and attended cosmetology school. She even operated a beauty shop out of the family home. In Houston, she met Hal Davenport Woodward, a Rice University graduate who was born in Utopia in 1907. They married on June 7, 1932 in Houston. His work with United Gas Pipeline Co. later Pennzoil took them to Lake Charles, LA, San Antonio, TX, and Shreveport, LA. They were active in the work of the church, Christian youth camps, and Christian schools. She worked as an elementary school secretary much of that time and was honored in many ways by her school. Upon her retirement, she was awarded Lifetime Membership in the PTA. Her husband was promoted to his heavenly home on February 20, 1971. She remained in Shreveport until 2000, when she moved to Utopia to live with her daughter and son-in-law, near her four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren some of her life's most special blessings. Being such a lover of family and the beauties of nature made the move not too difficult for her, even after 47 years in Shreveport and a host of friends there. She lived five quite active years in Utopia and then after 2-12 years of hospice and family care, she was taken home. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Langford and husband, Delbert of Utopia; four grandchildren, Lauri Horton; Lisa Loney; Philip Lane Langford; and Jennifer Massey; eight great-grandchildren, Michael Loney; Erin Lane; Katie Loney; Meaghan Loney; Daniel Horton; Caleb Horton; Jordan Sleed; and McCartney Sleed; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Jack Emmett Barry; and sister, Lillian Thornton. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 23, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Utopia Church of Christ. Mr. George Keelin will officiate. Cremation was under the direction of Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

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