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Obituary for Clara Howell
Clara Howell July 27, 1982 – Nov. 18, 2012 Lifelong Brookings resident Clara Howell, 30, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday, November 18, 2012 in Gold Beach. Clara was born July 27, 1982 in Gold Beach, Ore. to Sam and Naomi (Kessler) Smith. She grew up and attended schools in Brookings, graduating with 12 other students from the Barrier Academy. Almost immediately, she began working as a caregiver at the Chetco Inn Residential Care Facility in Brookings. Clara would spend her whole working career at Chetco Inn, working her way up to the facility’s Administrator last year. She loved her job and loved providing a warm and caring environment for her residents. On August 24, 2002, in Brookings, Clara married Tom Howell. In 2004, Clara gave birth to their only child, Julia. Clara loved spending time with her family and friends, especially trips up the river. She also loved animals. She will be remembered as a sweet and caring person who was extremely dedicated to her family and to her residents and employees. Survivors include her husband, Tom of Brookings, daughter, Julia of Brookings, sister Kristin Villavicencio and her husband Jason, Leslie Ross and her husband, Tom, brothers, Cory Payne, Richard Payne, Jason Avilez, Jason Wiley, John Harbolt and Jeremey “Hockey” Wamsley, grandfather, Paul Kessler, uncle and aunt, Ed and Connie Kessler, nephews, Tristin and Talon, nieces, Tamlyn, Exis and Evangeline, father-in-law, Tom Howell and his wife, Cheryl, mother-in-law, Sarah Chappell, sister-in-law, Jenny Howell, father, Sam Smith and the entire Morris family. Clara was preceded in death by her mother, Naomi Smith and grandmother, Darlene Kessler, both in 2011, and her stepfather, Larry Lair. Memorial contributions may be made to assist the Howell family at any Chetco Federal Credit Union branch under account #75519, or by mail to Chetco Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3000J, Harbor, OR 97415. A celebration of Clara’s life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012 the First Baptist Community Church, 607 Pacific Ave. in Brookings. Pastor Ken Whitted will officiate. Refreshments will follow the service at the church. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
