Clara Fern Stewart Freeze passed peacefully from this life on Jan. 11, 2023, at The Blossoms in Mountain View. She was 91. She was born Sept. 22, 1931, to Walter and Mary Halpain Stewart, who preceded her in death. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother who set an example of hard work, patience, and Christian living. She was faithful to attending Eastside Church of Christ whenever she could.
In her early married life, it was not uncommon for her to handle one end of a crosscut saw to help her sister-in-law or mother-in-law cut logs or wood for the cook stove. In addition to helping tend broilers and cattle, she worked at Blanchard Shirt Factory in Mountain View for almost 20 years. The family always had a big garden and Clara preserved a lot of its produce by canning. Having her green beans and okra for winter meals was a treat.
Clara’s multi-layer German chocolate cakes have brought top money at fundraisers, her large pans of cinnamon rolls were sought after at Farm Bureau and Cattlemen dinners, and her chicken and dressing, and chicken and dumplings were also family favorites. In recent years, she enjoyed trout and catfish dinners, and you would be mistaken in thinking you could share a 5-piece Krispy House dinner with her. The 10-piece was the way to go, and if you wanted some of the onion, you’d better get it.
Over the years she enjoyed doing needlework and gifted countless quilts and pieces of crochet and embroidery to family and friends. Clara was the only left-handed child in her big family. She tried to learn to knit, but could never copy her grandmother’s example. She learned to crochet by examining the backside of finished pieces. Clara had a knack for growing violets and rooted many leaves to share with others. She also delighted in amaryllis, clematis, peonies and other blooms gracing her porch and yard.
She had an amazing memory for the birthdays of numerous relatives even in extended generations.
She is survived by children Darrell Freeze (Sherry) of Jonesboro, Patricia Smith (Lynn) of Mountain View; Shelia Freeze of Benton; and Michael Freeze (Lori) of Mountain View; grandchildren Melissa Swafford and Kara Smith, Rachel and Hannah Freeze, Lorn Freeze; great-grandson Lyndon Freeze; brothers Joe Stewart of Mountain View, Jimmy Stewart and Howard Stewart, both of Illinois; and sister Shirley Wright of Mountain View.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years John A. Freeze, son Dwain Freeze; brothers Russell, Marvin, and Boss; and sisters Jean Shaffer, Dortha Long, Viola ”Peachie” Minick, Lela Laycock, Wanda Stubbs, and infant Mamie.
Visitation for Clara is Friday, January 13, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services are Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas with Brother Roger Hopper officiating. Interment will follow the service at Bickles Cove Cemetery in Mountain View, Arkansas.
Pallbearers are Phillip Swafford, Lorn Freeze, Cody Crymes, Tommy Adams, Dustin Stewart, and Dylan Stewart. Honorary pallbearers are Wayne Foster and Clara’s many nephews.
