Clara Belle Duke, born December 10, 1914, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. She was born in Sardis, Texas to Henry and Susie Fletcher Smith. She attended school at New Hope, where she loved playing basketball. Clara was a longtime resident of Center.

She joined her deceased husband, Virgil; son, Smitty and grandson, Bill.

Clara's faith was important to her and she was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Center.

In Center, Clara worked at White's Auto and Perry's Variety Store. She loved gardening, fishing with her grandchildren and collecting.

Clara was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Her family was the love of her life. She leaves behind her sons, James and his wife, Betty and Virgil Wayne and his wife, Ruth; daughter-in-law, Sharon as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Don Windham and Bro. Edward McRae officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Center.

The family wishes to thank the ministers and pastors for their home visits, hospital visits, phone calls and especially their prayers through her life and hard times. Also, thanks to those that knew Clara through the years and so graciously have offered their services at this time. Thank you, also, to Life Care Hospice for the compassion, devotion, expert care, selflessness, comfort and love that was given to Clara and her family.

In lieu of flowers, love gifts may be made in Clara Belle Duke's name to Life Care Hospice, 320 North Street, Suite 311, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.