A Tribute to Clara

Written by Brenda S. Bear (brendasbear@gmail.com). Please do not copy or share my writing without my permission. Thank you for reading my stories.

My very first memory of Clara Kamer takes me back to a hot summer day when I was about 12 years old. My dad had leased the land next to her house to plant tobacco. Dad was on the tractor, and I was walking close behind, clearing away buried plants and pulling weeds he’d missed. As we got closer to her house, Clara stepped outside with two glasses of water in her hands. Her kind smile met me before she did, and she handed me one of the glasses. Then she walked right up to Dad, lifted the second glass, and told him he was working me too hard in the heat. That moment stuck with me. From that moment on, I admired Clara. She left a lasting impression on me with her kindness and quiet strength.

This year, Clara turns 90 years young—a milestone befitting a woman who has been a cornerstone of Lewis County for nearly eight decades. She spent 30 of those years as a teacher, pouring love, patience, and wisdom into the lives of children. When I asked her why she chose that path, she smiled and said, “I loved watching their faces light up when they finally understood something I was trying to teach.” But more than that, she cherished simply being with them—listening to their stories, laughing at their wild imaginations, and making each child feel seen and loved. Even now, it’s rare for her to leave the house without being stopped by a former student—a living reminder of the lasting difference she’s made in so many lives.

Clara was married to her beloved husband, Don, for 42 years. Together, they raised three sons, and today, her family has grown to include four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She’s lived in Lewis County since the age of 12, when her parents moved here from Clintwood, Virginia. When I asked her why she never left, she didn’t hesitate. “I’ve always had good neighbors and friends,” she said. “And all my family is here—family is the only thing that really matters.”

That simple wisdom is so very Clara. The day I sat down to talk with her, she’d spent the morning in the kitchen making kraut. She told me she still enjoys cooking pinto beans, fried potatoes, and cornbread—the kind of food that fills your belly and your heart. The staples of every good Appalachian kitchen, and flavors that bring back memories of my own childhood.

Clara’s love for her community runs just as deep as her love for family. When I think of strong, independent women who lead by example, she’s one of the first that comes to mind. She has accomplished more than most, and much of what she’s done was for others—driven by a spirit of service that’s become all too rare.

In 2017, that devotion was recognized when County Judge Executive Todd Ruckel named her Lewis County’s Community Leader. And it’s easy to see why. Clara spent 15 years with the Eastern Star, served as treasurer of Woodmen Life (where she helped organize countless events), and served on the Waring Cemetery Board. For over 30 years, she was an active board member of the Christian Community Center, a group that provides essential support to families in need.

Even after retiring from the classroom, Clara never stopped working for others. She was involved with the Retired Teachers Organization for 18 years, serving as secretary for eight of them. She gave her time to the Buffalo Trace Aging Advisory Board and the Family Resource Center Board, each for four years. She contributed to the Lewis County Historical Society, was a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma (a distinguished organization for women educators) for over 30 years and devoted 35 years to the Nazarene Church before joining Bivens Chapel Church for the past 20. Clara even volunteered for several years at the local nursing home, bringing light to those who needed it most.

There’s something rare and beautiful about a life like Clara’s—one marked not just by longevity, but by love, service, and the quiet strength that inspires everyone lucky enough to know her. Her legacy is one of heart, and we are better for having been a part of it.

Written by Brenda S. Bear (brendasbear@gmail.com)