Clara Mae Smith

Clara Mae Smith, age 78, of Clarksville, Iowa, was born the daughter of Nick and Lillian Mae (Price) Bateman on December 10, 1941, in Norfolk, Virginia.  Clara attended school in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Denver, Iowa. 

On December 18, 1959, Clara was united in marriage with Ralph “Junior” H. Smith at his parents’ home in Clarksville.  To this union, four children were born.  The couple made their home in Clarksville, where they lived their entire married life.  Clara worked as a waitress, then a nurse’s aide in Floyd County Hospital.  Clara later worked and retired from Nestlé Beverage in Waverly, Iowa.

Clara was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville, where she served on a committee that helped at church funerals.  Clara was an avid reader, enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and sitting around a campfire.  In their younger years, Clara and Ralph enjoyed dancing and golfing.  Clara liked to play cards and bags.  Clara’s greatest joys were her grandchildren and her fur babies, especially, Lillie.

Clara died Sunday, October 18, 2020, at her home in Clarksville.      She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ralph, on December 2, 2013; her parents, Nick and Lillian Bateman; two sons-in-law, Joel Green and Benjamin Silva; one brother, David Trewin; and one sister, Pat Owens.

Clara is survived by one son, David (Jennifer Elliott) Smith of Clarksville; three daughters, Carla Silva of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Sharon (Bryan) Markussen of Garner, Iowa, and Shelley (Doug) Maiers of Clarksville; ten grandchildren, Jennifer (Brad) Clark, Adam
(Sherie) Green, Ashley (Garrett) Gilmore, Alyssa (Dylan Backer) Markussen, Jared, Tayler and Jadyn Maiers, Matthew (Jess) Smith and Tre and Kylie Smith; and five great grandchildren, Christopher, Ashlyn, Landyn, Cora and Myles.

            Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 22, 2020, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville, with Pastor Jim Brown officiating.  Organist was Sharon Leerhoff and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “Borning Cry” and “Precious Lord”.  Karen Smith provided special music as she sang “Old Rugged Cross”.  Burial was held at Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville with Matthew Smith, Tre Smith, Adam Green, Jared Maiers, Ashley Gilmore and Jennifer Clark serving as Casketbearers.  Honorary Casketbearers were Alyssa Markussen, Tayler Maiers, Jadyn Maiers and Kylie Smith.

            Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville, and one hour before services at the church.  Memorials may be directed to family.  Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville was in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.redman-schwartz.com