Clara Lea Whitney

Clara Lea (LaRose) Whitney was born on March 22, 1931, at the home of her grandparents, Joseph and Clara LaRose, in Nemo, Missouri. She went home to be with the Lord on February 5, 2023. She was 91 years, 10 months, one week, and six days old at the time of her passing. She was joyfully reunited with her husband, Noble Whitney; mother, Beatrice (LaRose) Cauthon; son-in-law, Tony Marie; grandson, Clayton Lueker; three sisters; and one brother-in-law. Momma was an amazing person. She met and married daddy when she was 15 years old and they worked together farming, raising cattle and hogs, and bringing up their own 4 children as well as several other young family members. Her door was always open and there was always something delicious on the stove, be it fried apple pies, beans and cornbread, or tacos, you never left momma’s table hungry. Clara loved, counseled, and prayed for her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and a whole cadre of friends and extended family members. If you knew her for very long you could be assured that she was talking to Jesus on your behalf, and if you ever found yourself in a need of a word of wise advice, she had an abundance to gently share. Clara was a lifelong follower of Jesus, and she served him with her whole heart. She read the bible cover-to-cover every year and, in her younger years, was a dedicated Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, and youth group leader as well. She loved her church family and enjoyed attending the Bolivar Family Nazarene Church as long as her health permitted. Clara’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were her pride and joy and her world revolved around her family. She had uncanny knack for remembering all 47 birthdays and was always faithful with a card and a dollar bill each year for the little ones. She loved to cook a huge meal, feed her family, friends, and anybody else who happened by, read anything she could put her hands on, and raise beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Mom could put a stick in the ground and nurture it into a tree or plant in no time. She had that magic touch! Clara is survived by her children, Judy Marie, Carolyn (Raymond) Mazon, Ray (Gwen) Whitney, and Debbie (Bill) Lueker; her grandchildren, Denise (Fred) Anschutz, Cindi (Darrell) Smith, Kristin (Ike) Basha, Nathan (Lina) Mazon, Zach (Kelly) Whitney, Cole Whitney, Nick (Markie) Whitney, Elizabeth Latall, Brian (Aimee) Lueker, and Erin (Keith Schnakenberg) Lueker; 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bernita Schnitzer and Linda Nickels; brother, Donnie Cauthon; brother-in-law, Eugene Whitney; and numerous nieces and nephews. Clara (Momma, Grandma, and Granny) was deeply loved and will be just as deeply missed. Her passing leaves an empty space, but it will be filled with her legacy of love, laughter, and abiding faith. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo, Missouri with Pastor Rod Campbell officiating. Interment will take place in the Memorial Gardens of Memory in Buffalo. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Alzheimer's Association.

Clara Lea Whitney

March 22, 1931 - February 5, 2023