Clara lived and led by example a life of faith, teaching and service. She loved God, life, family, friends, angels and socializing with her Winston-Salem community.
She was born Clara Lucille Berry on June 29, 1925 in Martinsburg, WV. The younger daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Reed Berry (United Methodist Minister) and Emma Lucille Wells Berry (homemaker). Her name means bright/clear/shining and she was quite spirited, positive and believed in the power of prayer. Born under the sign of cancer, she was a true friend, dependable and caring.
Her dad stressed the importance of education, having entered Howard University's High School at the age of 21 after leaving Fodice, TX in a baggage car because he was tired of working the cotton gin. He graduated from Howard University in 1913 and completed Boston University's School of Theology in 1916. Due to her father's ministry, Clara attended schools in Parkersburg and Roanoke, VA and graduated from McKeesport High School, McKeesport, PA (1942). At that time her father was only making $12.50 a week, but his parsonage was furnished, and the church gave them "poundings" – a pound of this and a pound of that. With the Lord's help they survived, and she followed her sister (Lennie Berry Williams) to the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in Latin with credentials to teach English and French. Her father became pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD during her college years, which enabled her to work as a typist for the Department of the Defense at the Pentagon. Later in life she dreamed of being an Executive Administrator. She received her Master of Arts degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York (1949) because Blacks were not allowed to enroll in graduate schools in NC. She furthered her education at Wake Forest University and Tufts University.
Upon graduation she taught English and Latin at Atkins High School (Winston-Salem, NC) and later became a guidance counselor at Atkins and East Forsyth High Schools. She retired on June 30, 1982 from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after incurring a stroke sitting at her desk a month prior to her retirement.
She met "Big House" on a blind date two months after she moved to Winston-Salem in 1946. They did not hit it off initially, but he kept coming around. Her father, whose nickname in college was "Big Berry," warned her that males were always on the lookout for new teachers. They were married for fifty-four years until his death on April 18,2005. However, Gaines' spirit never left her.
She lived by faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she taught Adult Sunday School for ten years and was active in the Patty Scales Handbell Choir, Higher Education & Campus Ministry, and the United Methodist Women.
She was initiated in her sophomore year (1944) at Pitt into the Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. In Winston-Salem she affiliated with the Phi Omega Chapter of AKA where she chaired the Crisis Control and Constitution committees. A major highlight was being recognized as a Diamond Soror at Phi Omega's 95th anniversary celebration in 2019 with friends and family.
She loved to travel and toured every continent except Antarctica, whether traveling with People to People to China or with Gaines on his many adventures. She planned major trips for Jack and Jill, Inc., which included going from Winston-Salem to Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada by bus. The highlight of her travels was visiting the Holy Land and following Moses' path from Israel into Egypt, a trip her father dreamed of taking. Her other hobbies included calligraphy, cross stitching, bridge, reading and exercising. In the past she was an avid bowler.
Her other affiliations were with the Links, Inc. (former president and platinum member for 40 years); two bridge clubs, The Holidays (former president) and La Nouveaute Bridge Club; Senior Services (former board member); SECCA (volunteer in gift shop); Meals-on-Wheels (volunteer 8 years); Reynolda Rotary (one of two honorary members); Jack and Jill, Inc. (former president); NC. Museum of History Associates (former board member); YMCA (member of Central branch).
Clara departed this life on February 11, 2021 in Lincolnwood IL. In addition to her parents and spouse she was preceded in death by her sibling, Lennie Berry Williams (John W.); son-in-law, Raymond McDonald; nephews, John Langston Williams, Garrett Anderson Williams; dear friend, Virginia Wiseman.
She leaves her children to cherish her legacy and memory: daughter, Lisa Gaines McDonald, Wilmette, IL; son, Clarence Edward Gaines II (Cheryl), Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren; Loran Gaines McDonald and Ryan Gaines McDonald, Olivia Rose Gaines, and Garrett Christian Gaines; goddaughter, Dr. Caroline "Judy" Lattimore; godson, Kevin Wallace (Susanna), San Francisco, CA.; cousin, Joyce Biles (Leon), Paducah, KY; her extended family, Billy Jones, Mary Jane Williams, Alice Ruth Rhodes, Tim and Vicky Grant, Sadie Daniels, Debbie Daniels; Gwendolyn Wallace, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Russell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but the service will be live streamed on February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM on Russell Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Posted by Russell Funeral Home
She was born Clara Lucille Berry on June 29, 1925 in Martinsburg, WV. The younger daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Reed Berry (United Methodist Minister) and Emma Lucille Wells Berry (homemaker). Her name means bright/clear/shining and she was quite spirited, positive and believed in the power of prayer. Born under the sign of cancer, she was a true friend, dependable and caring.
Her dad stressed the importance of education, having entered Howard University's High School at the age of 21 after leaving Fodice, TX in a baggage car because he was tired of working the cotton gin. He graduated from Howard University in 1913 and completed Boston University's School of Theology in 1916. Due to her father's ministry, Clara attended schools in Parkersburg and Roanoke, VA and graduated from McKeesport High School, McKeesport, PA (1942). At that time her father was only making $12.50 a week, but his parsonage was furnished, and the church gave them "poundings" – a pound of this and a pound of that. With the Lord's help they survived, and she followed her sister (Lennie Berry Williams) to the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in Latin with credentials to teach English and French. Her father became pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD during her college years, which enabled her to work as a typist for the Department of the Defense at the Pentagon. Later in life she dreamed of being an Executive Administrator. She received her Master of Arts degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York (1949) because Blacks were not allowed to enroll in graduate schools in NC. She furthered her education at Wake Forest University and Tufts University.
Upon graduation she taught English and Latin at Atkins High School (Winston-Salem, NC) and later became a guidance counselor at Atkins and East Forsyth High Schools. She retired on June 30, 1982 from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after incurring a stroke sitting at her desk a month prior to her retirement.
She met "Big House" on a blind date two months after she moved to Winston-Salem in 1946. They did not hit it off initially, but he kept coming around. Her father, whose nickname in college was "Big Berry," warned her that males were always on the lookout for new teachers. They were married for fifty-four years until his death on April 18,2005. However, Gaines' spirit never left her.
She lived by faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she taught Adult Sunday School for ten years and was active in the Patty Scales Handbell Choir, Higher Education & Campus Ministry, and the United Methodist Women.
She was initiated in her sophomore year (1944) at Pitt into the Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. In Winston-Salem she affiliated with the Phi Omega Chapter of AKA where she chaired the Crisis Control and Constitution committees. A major highlight was being recognized as a Diamond Soror at Phi Omega's 95th anniversary celebration in 2019 with friends and family.
She loved to travel and toured every continent except Antarctica, whether traveling with People to People to China or with Gaines on his many adventures. She planned major trips for Jack and Jill, Inc., which included going from Winston-Salem to Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada by bus. The highlight of her travels was visiting the Holy Land and following Moses' path from Israel into Egypt, a trip her father dreamed of taking. Her other hobbies included calligraphy, cross stitching, bridge, reading and exercising. In the past she was an avid bowler.
Her other affiliations were with the Links, Inc. (former president and platinum member for 40 years); two bridge clubs, The Holidays (former president) and La Nouveaute Bridge Club; Senior Services (former board member); SECCA (volunteer in gift shop); Meals-on-Wheels (volunteer 8 years); Reynolda Rotary (one of two honorary members); Jack and Jill, Inc. (former president); NC. Museum of History Associates (former board member); YMCA (member of Central branch).
Clara departed this life on February 11, 2021 in Lincolnwood IL. In addition to her parents and spouse she was preceded in death by her sibling, Lennie Berry Williams (John W.); son-in-law, Raymond McDonald; nephews, John Langston Williams, Garrett Anderson Williams; dear friend, Virginia Wiseman.
She leaves her children to cherish her legacy and memory: daughter, Lisa Gaines McDonald, Wilmette, IL; son, Clarence Edward Gaines II (Cheryl), Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren; Loran Gaines McDonald and Ryan Gaines McDonald, Olivia Rose Gaines, and Garrett Christian Gaines; goddaughter, Dr. Caroline "Judy" Lattimore; godson, Kevin Wallace (Susanna), San Francisco, CA.; cousin, Joyce Biles (Leon), Paducah, KY; her extended family, Billy Jones, Mary Jane Williams, Alice Ruth Rhodes, Tim and Vicky Grant, Sadie Daniels, Debbie Daniels; Gwendolyn Wallace, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Russell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but the service will be live streamed on February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM on Russell Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Posted by Russell Funeral Home
Clara lived and led by example a life of faith, teaching and service. She loved God, life, family, friends, angels and socializing with her Winston-Salem community.
She was born Clara Lucille Berry on June 29, 1925 in Martinsburg, WV. The younger daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Reed Berry (United Methodist Minister) and Emma Lucille Wells Berry (homemaker). Her name means bright/clear/shining and she was quite spirited, positive and believed in the power of prayer. Born under the sign of cancer, she was a true friend, dependable and caring.
Her dad stressed the importance of education, having entered Howard University's High School at the age of 21 after leaving Fodice, TX in a baggage car because he was tired of working the cotton gin. He graduated from Howard University in 1913 and completed Boston University's School of Theology in 1916. Due to her father's ministry, Clara attended schools in Parkersburg and Roanoke, VA and graduated from McKeesport High School, McKeesport, PA (1942). At that time her father was only making $12.50 a week, but his parsonage was furnished, and the church gave them "poundings" – a pound of this and a pound of that. With the Lord's help they survived, and she followed her sister (Lennie Berry Williams) to the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in Latin with credentials to teach English and French. Her father became pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD during her college years, which enabled her to work as a typist for the Department of the Defense at the Pentagon. Later in life she dreamed of being an Executive Administrator. She received her Master of Arts degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York (1949) because Blacks were not allowed to enroll in graduate schools in NC. She furthered her education at Wake Forest University and Tufts University.
Upon graduation she taught English and Latin at Atkins High School (Winston-Salem, NC) and later became a guidance counselor at Atkins and East Forsyth High Schools. She retired on June 30, 1982 from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after incurring a stroke sitting at her desk a month prior to her retirement.
She met "Big House" on a blind date two months after she moved to Winston-Salem in 1946. They did not hit it off initially, but he kept coming around. Her father, whose nickname in college was "Big Berry," warned her that males were always on the lookout for new teachers. They were married for fifty-four years until his death on April 18,2005. However, Gaines' spirit never left her.
She lived by faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she taught Adult Sunday School for ten years and was active in the Patty Scales Handbell Choir, Higher Education & Campus Ministry, and the United Methodist Women.
She was initiated in her sophomore year (1944) at Pitt into the Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. In Winston-Salem she affiliated with the Phi Omega Chapter of AKA where she chaired the Crisis Control and Constitution committees. A major highlight was being recognized as a Diamond Soror at Phi Omega's 95th anniversary celebration in 2019 with friends and family.
She loved to travel and toured every continent except Antarctica, whether traveling with People to People to China or with Gaines on his many adventures. She planned major trips for Jack and Jill, Inc., which included going from Winston-Salem to Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada by bus. The highlight of her travels was visiting the Holy Land and following Moses' path from Israel into Egypt, a trip her father dreamed of taking. Her other hobbies included calligraphy, cross stitching, bridge, reading and exercising. In the past she was an avid bowler.
Her other affiliations were with the Links, Inc. (former president and platinum member for 40 years); two bridge clubs, The Holidays (former president) and La Nouveaute Bridge Club; Senior Services (former board member); SECCA (volunteer in gift shop); Meals-on-Wheels (volunteer 8 years); Reynolda Rotary (one of two honorary members); Jack and Jill, Inc. (former president); NC. Museum of History Associates (former board member); YMCA (member of Central branch).
Clara departed this life on February 11, 2021 in Lincolnwood IL. In addition to her parents and spouse she was preceded in death by her sibling, Lennie Berry Williams (John W.); son-in-law, Raymond McDonald; nephews, John Langston Williams, Garrett Anderson Williams; dear friend, Virginia Wiseman.
She leaves her children to cherish her legacy and memory: daughter, Lisa Gaines McDonald, Wilmette, IL; son, Clarence Edward Gaines II (Cheryl), Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren; Loran Gaines McDonald and Ryan Gaines McDonald, Olivia Rose Gaines, and Garrett Christian Gaines; goddaughter, Dr. Caroline "Judy" Lattimore; godson, Kevin Wallace (Susanna), San Francisco, CA.; cousin, Joyce Biles (Leon), Paducah, KY; her extended family, Billy Jones, Mary Jane Williams, Alice Ruth Rhodes, Tim and Vicky Grant, Sadie Daniels, Debbie Daniels; Gwendolyn Wallace, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Russell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but the service will be live streamed on February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM on Russell Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Posted by Russell Funeral Home
She was born Clara Lucille Berry on June 29, 1925 in Martinsburg, WV. The younger daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Reed Berry (United Methodist Minister) and Emma Lucille Wells Berry (homemaker). Her name means bright/clear/shining and she was quite spirited, positive and believed in the power of prayer. Born under the sign of cancer, she was a true friend, dependable and caring.
Her dad stressed the importance of education, having entered Howard University's High School at the age of 21 after leaving Fodice, TX in a baggage car because he was tired of working the cotton gin. He graduated from Howard University in 1913 and completed Boston University's School of Theology in 1916. Due to her father's ministry, Clara attended schools in Parkersburg and Roanoke, VA and graduated from McKeesport High School, McKeesport, PA (1942). At that time her father was only making $12.50 a week, but his parsonage was furnished, and the church gave them "poundings" – a pound of this and a pound of that. With the Lord's help they survived, and she followed her sister (Lennie Berry Williams) to the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in Latin with credentials to teach English and French. Her father became pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD during her college years, which enabled her to work as a typist for the Department of the Defense at the Pentagon. Later in life she dreamed of being an Executive Administrator. She received her Master of Arts degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York (1949) because Blacks were not allowed to enroll in graduate schools in NC. She furthered her education at Wake Forest University and Tufts University.
Upon graduation she taught English and Latin at Atkins High School (Winston-Salem, NC) and later became a guidance counselor at Atkins and East Forsyth High Schools. She retired on June 30, 1982 from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after incurring a stroke sitting at her desk a month prior to her retirement.
She met "Big House" on a blind date two months after she moved to Winston-Salem in 1946. They did not hit it off initially, but he kept coming around. Her father, whose nickname in college was "Big Berry," warned her that males were always on the lookout for new teachers. They were married for fifty-four years until his death on April 18,2005. However, Gaines' spirit never left her.
She lived by faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she taught Adult Sunday School for ten years and was active in the Patty Scales Handbell Choir, Higher Education & Campus Ministry, and the United Methodist Women.
She was initiated in her sophomore year (1944) at Pitt into the Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. In Winston-Salem she affiliated with the Phi Omega Chapter of AKA where she chaired the Crisis Control and Constitution committees. A major highlight was being recognized as a Diamond Soror at Phi Omega's 95th anniversary celebration in 2019 with friends and family.
She loved to travel and toured every continent except Antarctica, whether traveling with People to People to China or with Gaines on his many adventures. She planned major trips for Jack and Jill, Inc., which included going from Winston-Salem to Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada by bus. The highlight of her travels was visiting the Holy Land and following Moses' path from Israel into Egypt, a trip her father dreamed of taking. Her other hobbies included calligraphy, cross stitching, bridge, reading and exercising. In the past she was an avid bowler.
Her other affiliations were with the Links, Inc. (former president and platinum member for 40 years); two bridge clubs, The Holidays (former president) and La Nouveaute Bridge Club; Senior Services (former board member); SECCA (volunteer in gift shop); Meals-on-Wheels (volunteer 8 years); Reynolda Rotary (one of two honorary members); Jack and Jill, Inc. (former president); NC. Museum of History Associates (former board member); YMCA (member of Central branch).
Clara departed this life on February 11, 2021 in Lincolnwood IL. In addition to her parents and spouse she was preceded in death by her sibling, Lennie Berry Williams (John W.); son-in-law, Raymond McDonald; nephews, John Langston Williams, Garrett Anderson Williams; dear friend, Virginia Wiseman.
She leaves her children to cherish her legacy and memory: daughter, Lisa Gaines McDonald, Wilmette, IL; son, Clarence Edward Gaines II (Cheryl), Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren; Loran Gaines McDonald and Ryan Gaines McDonald, Olivia Rose Gaines, and Garrett Christian Gaines; goddaughter, Dr. Caroline "Judy" Lattimore; godson, Kevin Wallace (Susanna), San Francisco, CA.; cousin, Joyce Biles (Leon), Paducah, KY; her extended family, Billy Jones, Mary Jane Williams, Alice Ruth Rhodes, Tim and Vicky Grant, Sadie Daniels, Debbie Daniels; Gwendolyn Wallace, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Russell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but the service will be live streamed on February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM on Russell Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Posted by Russell Funeral Home
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