Clara Martin

As beautiful as a rose to see, was her life she lived so gracefully. She made things precious by her touch; her selfless love lives in each of us.  The petals of her life fell one by one; each a gift of her heart till there were none. Yet her radiance blooms once again in fields of glory with no end.

Clara Martin was born on February 28, 1924, in Louisiana, to her parents Rose and Foster McClenton, she was the third child born to this union. When Clara was two years old, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she would stay for the next sixteen years. Clara was educated through Omaha Public Schools and graduated from Central High School in 1942. Following high school, Clara moved to Colorado to begin a new journey in her life.

Shortly after moving to Colorado, Clara met Sargent Louis C. Martin, he served as a Military Police Office. The couple met in Five Points (community in Denver), and after spending quality time with each other, they joined in holy matrimony. Clara worked as a seamstress at Gigantic Cleaners for many years while also raising her children. She wanted to ensure that they would not have to endure the same struggles she endured growing up, as well as wanting to provide an opportunity for them to be successful in life. Later, Clara made a career with the Air Force Finance Center as a Bookkeeper and retired after 20 years of dedicated service.

Clara was very active in her faith, she was an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado until she was unable to attend any longer, due to health complications. Her devotion to the ministry was one to admire.

During her free time, Clara enjoyed traveling, reading, needle pointing, playing the organ, and cooking. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, including, Shirley Troutman, Celestine Blaire, Evelyn Bitner, Delores Carter, and Betty M. Gaiter.  To know Clara was to love her.  When she saw a need, she tried to meet it.

Towards the conclusion of her life, Clara developed a special bond with her grandson, Jamie. Jamie was her caregiver, who took pride in aiding Clara. On May 23, 2021, Clara went home to her Lord and Savior. The world has lost an amazing woman of God, but heaven has gained an angel.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband, Louis C. “Sarge” Martin; parents, Rose and Foster McClenton; sons, Jerome and Jerry; sister, Mildred; and brother, Eli; grandsons, Jerome Martin, Jr. and Michael Crawford.

Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her son, Duane Martin; daughters-in-law, Carol Martin and Ethel Crawford; grandchildren, Adrian Crawford, Jamie Crawford, Andrea Martin, Pamela Martin, Cheri Crawford, Troy Martin, Tony Martin, Tod Martin, Chanel and Sherronda Crawford; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.

In honor of Clara, a Visitation will be held, 10AM, Monday, June 28, 2021 at Pipkin Braswell Mortuary (6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80220), followed by Funeral Service at 11AM. To join us via livestream, please click on the link to follow.