Clara Jeanette Meadows, 94, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at the Lewisburg Healthcare Center in Ronceverte, WV. She was born Aug. 7, 1931, in Marfrance, WV, the youngest child of the late William Thomas and Orpha Christine Smoot. Clara was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Garland Meadows and an infant son, Ronald Paul Meadows.
She and her husband lived many years on a farm on Backus Mountain in Meadow Bridge where she grew prize winning strawberries, a bountiful garden, and beautiful flowers. They moved to Rainelle in 1987 and when their home was destroyed by the flood in 2016, they moved to Rupert where she lived until being admitted to the nursing home. After her children were grown, she attended nursing school and graduated with a nursing degree at age 50. She began working as a nurse at Ansted before transferring to Heartland of Rainelle Nursing Home where she worked until her retirement at age 70. She loved to read, sew, crochet and cook the most delicious meals for her family.
Clara was Baptist by faith and was one of the original founding members of Calvary Baptist Church in Meadow Bridge and later attended McRoss Baptist Church until her health declined.
Clara Jeanette was the last surviving member of her immediate family having been preceded in death by four brothers, Billy, James, Tom, and Robert; and three sisters, June Smoot, Edith Cales, and Margaret Baker.
She is survived by her children, Margaret Slocum of Athens, TN, Linda (Tom) Fluharty of Salem, WV, Gary (Donna) Meadows of Rupert, WV, Karen (Gary) Fike of Baltimore, MD, Dale Cook of Rupert, WV, and Allen Lynn Cook. Also surviving are her 12 grandchildren, Julie, Laura, Randall, Carrie, Jennifer, Rachel, Patrick, Bridget, Susie, Garin, Emily, and Dalana. In addition, she leaves behind 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses, nurses’ aides, and the entire staff of Lewisburg Healthcare for their love and attentive care of her during her final months.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Smathers Funeral Chapel in Rainelle. The family will receive visitors from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.
Smathers Funeral Chapel is honored to take care of Clara and her family during their great time of need. Online condolences can be made at www.smathersfuneralchapelinc.com
