Clara Elizabeth Kinney

Clara Elizabeth (Johnson) Kinney of Oak Hill, Texas passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the age of 92. Clara was born on March 26, 1931, in Austin, Texas to Betty Jo (Jimmerson) and Benjamin Johnson.

Clara grew up and attended school in Oak Hill, Texas. She married Leonard David (L.D.) Krabe in 1948 before welcoming two sons, Rickie and Donnie.

Clara worked in the restaurant business, mostly for the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Corporation, before retiring after more than 25 years of service. During those years at KFC, Clara was most-lovingly referred to as “The Chicken Lady”. Those who had the honor of working with Clara quickly became familiar with her strong work ethic, her quick wit, and her high expectations of others in the workplace. Clara is most notably remembered for saying, “If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean.”

After the passing of L.D. in 2001, Clara met and married Bob Kinney. Clara and Bob took many trips and went on various adventures together before Bob’s passing in 2011. Together they enjoyed entertaining in their home, attending many social activities, dressing up in costumes each year for Halloween and Austin’s nightlife, especially dancing the night away at the Broken Spoke.

Clara is preceded in death by her parents, Betty Jo and Ben Johnson, both husbands, L.D. Krabe and Bob Kinney, her sons, Rickie and Donnie Krabe, her siblings, Pat Smith, June Collins, Sam, Billy “Bud”, Sally, Paul, and Pauline Johnson.

Clara is survived by her brother, Jimmy “Cotton” Johnson, wife Emma, daughters-in-law, Sharon and Joyce Krabe, her grandson, Jerry Krabe, wife Teresa, granddaughters, April Jefferson, husband Danny and Christy Crow, husband Morgan. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Clara will be remembered for many things but nothing greater than the love she had for her family, her sense of style, her sassy personality, her love of adventure, and her wonderful sense of humor.

The family will host a gathering to celebrate Clara’s life at a later date.