Clare Edwards

(From Parker Mortuary)

Clare Lu Edwards, age 80, Joplin, passed away at 8:51 p.m. Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Clare was born April 12, 1939 in Santa Paula, California to the late Raymond Ellis Sears and Mildred Wells Henderson Sears.

Clare graduated from Carthage High School. During her working career she worked at Miller Manufacturing as an inspector and then retired from St. John’s Regional Medical Center after 15 years in housekeeping.

Clare was a very God-fearing woman. It was very important to her for her children to be raised in church. She was a member of McKinley Avenue Baptist Church in Joplin until its closing.

Clare loved listening to gospel hymns, Elvis and Celine Dion. Over the past several years she enjoyed the many various activities at Mercy Village Apartments with the other tenants. She loved the luncheons, crafts, and gospel music, but playing bingo was her favorite. Clare was the nicest, sweetest, loving, caring, honest, reliable and responsible person you could meet. She loved to talk and had never met a stranger. She will be remembered most for her innocence and infectious laugh. She loved her family with all her heart and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Clare married Emerald Dean Edwards on December 22, 1968, in Alba, Missouri. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1999.

She was also preceded in death by siblings, Ramona Gates, Teresa George, and Michael Sears.

Survivors include her three daughters, Jill Ann Fanning and husband, Melvin, Joplin, Missouri, Myra Kay Saggert, Joplin, Missouri, Deana Louise Sanders and husband, Ervin, Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Kayley Vermillion, Joplin, Missouri, Tyler Seeley, Miami, Oklahoma, Kimberly Seeley, Kansas, Dakota Edwards-Fanning, Seneca, Missouri, Mariah Fanning and husband, David, Carl Junction, Missouri, Mattilynn Edwards, Joplin, Missouri, Erikah Powell, Joplin, Missouri; great grandchildren, Destiny, Landan, Alli, Andrew, Lanae, Royal, Teghan, Kenny, Brayden, Liam; several extended family and friends.

Funeral services are planned for Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel, Joplin, Missouri with Pastor Alan McCamey officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.