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Clara Mae the baby girl of her sibling circle was born to John Simmons and Minnie Winfield Simmons on August 1, 1930. Not only was she the baby girl to her parents, but she was also her siblings' "baby", and they spoiled her rotten. Clara descends from a rich lineage of trailblazers. Clara is the granddaughter of the first Black Family to settle in League City, Texas in the form of Alexander and Rose Winfield. Clara spent her childhood growing up in a Christian home where Jesus was the center focal point with her Father's strong belief in the Word of God. Being a notable Deacon at the Family's Church Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church in League City, Texas is where she established her relationship with Christ accepting Him as her Lord and Saviour being baptized. She was a proud 1948 graduate of the Historic Black School, Dunbar High School in Dickinson, Texas. During her young adult years, she met a handsome man, Alfred Joseph Shannon and they courted and two fell in love. They were united in Holy Matrimony on the second day of April 1949 in Galveston, Texas. Clara moved from her family home in League City. This young couple established their roots and made their home in West Texas City. This union was blessed with eight children, Alfred, Anthony, Sheryl, Girtha, Barbara, Timothy, Tony, and Craig. During this time, she became acquainted with a popular Church in Texas City Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and she and her husband decided to become members in 1949 she was 19 years of age. They united under the leadership of Pastor Simmons. In 1950 Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church called a 20-Year-old preacher by the name of Reverend D.N. Benford to be the new Pastor. Pastor Benford was 6 months elder to Clara and they became great friends. Being a devout member of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church for seventy-seven years, her servitude in the house of the Lord was unmatched. She was a faithful member of Circle Number 2 and Usher Board Number 1. She raised her children in Rising Star as well. She would always quote that if she could not get to Church Her week would not go right. She remained loyal to her covenant she made with Christ until her health prevented her from attending in person. Clara loved God, and her family was ever so dear to her. She loved spending memorable moments with them. In 1971, her beloved husband of twenty-two years passed away. She never married again because, "she knew she would never ever find a love like the love that her and Alfred shared. " Although faced with this untimely death, she never lost her faith in God. She carried the load of raising eight children as a widow knowing God would sustain her. In 1979 she endured grief again with the passing of her son Anthony. Still keeping the faith she continued her journey as a Christian Woman and honored God as she stood on his Word for strength daily. Clara was a homemaker extraordinaire, and she was the heart of her home. She was a woman of many talents; therefore, she wore many hats as she provided for her family working several jobs. Gospel music brought joy to her soul. Being a country girl at heart she enjoyed exploring the outdoors and growing beautiful flowers. Clara was a model mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. She gave each of her children and grandchildren what they needed individually and loved them unconditionally. She demonstrated her love for her family by engaging with them in their learning and playing, cooking scrumptious family meals, baking sweets, opening her home to family who needed temporary housing, giving her last to family in need, and even out of all she did, the greatest legacy she leaves us is Jesus. As the matriarch of the family, she stressed the importance of family relationships, connections, and forgiveness. She was our remarkable paradigm given to our family by God. On February 26, 2025, Clara Mae Simmons Shannon was called home to be with her Lord and Saviour, who she longed to see. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Alexander and Rose Winfield; her parents, John and Minnie Simmons; her ten siblings; her husband Alfred Shannon; her sons Anthony Shannon, Sr. and Timothy Shannon; her grandsons, Eric Fields and Anthony Shannon, Jr. Her steadfast legacy of love will remain in the hearts of her beloved family, children, survived by her Children: Alfred Shannon, Jr., Sheryl Shannon, Girtha Fields (Michael), Barbara Bell (Howard), Tony Shannon, Sr. (Vickie), and Craig Shannon, Sr.; her twenty-two grandchildren and forty-six great-grandchildren; generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins; her Rising Star Church family and friends.

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Clara Mae Shannon

August 1, 1930 - February 26, 2025