Clara Mae Okoye, 61, of Phoenix, passed away on Monday, June 29th in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on July 15, 1958 to the late Samuel and Annie Whitson in Moulton, Alabama. She attended high school, and then furthered her education at JF Drake State Technical College. On March 14, 1980, she married Ike Okoye in Huntsville, Alabama.
Clara enjoyed fishing, cooking, the outdoors, singing, laughing, vacations and the casino. Most of all, she adored her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Clara is truly loved by many, and had the charisma that reached people in a deep and positive way.
Clara is survived by her children, Nneka Okoye, Kenneth OB Okoye, Chika Okoye, Ifeoma Okoye, Nwaka Okoye, Ngozika Okoye and Nwamaka Okoye; her sisters, Annie and Hattie Williams; her brothers Billy Williams and Prentice Orr; her grandchildren Shakarah Okoye, Kayin Chapman, Tatiana Okoye, Kristian Chapman, Shanya Okoye, Zachariah Okoye, Zariah Brown, Saniyah Okoye-Bullock and Zaiyn Okoye-Bullock; and many other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Annie Whitson; her sisters Sara McDaniel, Nettie Williams and Emma Williams; her brothers Thomas McDaniel and James Williams.
Memorial services will be held at 11am on Friday July 10th, at the Chapel of the Chimes, 7924 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, Arizona, with Becky Hinton, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Clara’s honor may be made to The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231. Online condolences can be given at www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com.