Clara Belle Johnson

Clara B. Johnson, a resident of Mesa, Arizona since 1978, passed away at War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at the age of ninety-nine on December 18, 2009. Mrs. Johnson had been living in Michigan since December 2006 in order to be near her family. She is survived by a son, Robert W. Waara, of Harrisville, Michigan; step daughters Beverly Byrd of Omaha, Nebraska and JoAnn Shaw of Zellwood, Florida. Clara Johnson was born in Dafter, Michigan on March 16, 1910, the daughter of Henry and Julia (Mitchell) Beamish. She was predeceased by her husband Wilfred Waara in 1974 and by her second husband Luther B. Johnson in 1992; a sister, Lottie Follis; and brothers, Clarence, Otto, Elmer, and William Beamish. Mrs. Johnson is also survived by the following nephews and nieces: Al Beamish and Robert Beamish of Dafter; Julie (Robert) Bell, Lu (Paul) Coutant, Carla (Robert) Nicholls, and Janice Beamish of Sault Ste. Marie; Kay Beamish of Bonney Lake, Washington; Marge (Don) Wilson of Houston, Texas; Ardis Beamish of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Bryce Beamish of Rockford, Michigan; Ross (Gerry) Beamish of Alpena, Michigan; Marilyn Schilling of The Colony, Texas; Noann (Lloyd) Campbell of Brimley, Michigan; Arlene (Bill) Cagle of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming; John (Eleanor) Kaestner of Georgetown, Texas; Donald (Diane) See of Sun City Center, Florida; and David (Diane) See of San Diego, California. Also surviving are many cousins, great-nephews and nieces, step grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren. Clara Johnson was a member of Velda Rose United Methodist Church of Mesa, Arizona. She was the first woman elected as a ruling elder of the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City, having been ordained in 1960. She also attended the Dafter Presbyterian Church while spending summers in Michigan. A life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Clara Johnson was active in the Mackinaw City and Pellston chapters of O.E.S. and served as the Grand Adah of the State of Michigan. A memorial service commemorating the life and resurrection of Mrs. Johnson will be held at the Church of the Straits, 307 North Huron Boulevard, Mackinaw City, Michigan on Saturday, May 29, 2010, 11:00 A. M. with Rev. David Wallis officiating. Memorials may be given to the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City, the Dafter Presbyterian Church, or to Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa.

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Clara Belle Johnson

March 16, 1910 - December 18, 2009