Charlotte Rae Clary

Charlotte Rae (O’Neil ) Clary was born July 30, 1946, to Kenith S. and Lillian E. (Hodges) O’Neil, in Winfield, KS, and passed from this life January 18, 2020, at her home. At her side, as he has been for 51+ years was her husband, Gregory K Clary, along with her brother & his wife, David & Alice O’Neil.

Charlotte grew up musically and physically in Winfield, becoming both a pianist and clarinetist and playing tennis for Winfield High School. She followed her sister, Alice Louise (O’Neil) Turner, in piano taught for several years by Miss E. Marie Burdette. They both were privileged to participate in WHS’s Kansas centennial production, Kanza, in 1961.

She was active in the Winfield Church of Christ along with her family.

Following high school, she attended Oklahoma Christian College in Edmond, OK, for 2+ years. At OCC she “acquired” the nickname of Chocolate. Some friends, even years later, never knew Chocolate wasn’t her “real” name. After her studies at OCC, she met a young man attending Central State College, now University of Central Oklahoma, by the name of Greg Clary. On November 29, 1968, they were united in marriage. They shared their lives, loves, joys, and struggles for over 51 years.

Her first employment was with Dr. Richard Stansberry, a medical doctor who also at the time was an Oklahoma state senator. In 1969 Greg was hired in Iowa Park, TX, to be a social studies teacher and multi-sport coach. Charlotte was soon employed at the Wichita Falls’ office of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

In 1977 Greg was hired in the League City, TX, school district. In those years the wife was often the “2nd” bread winner, so his job took preference over hers. She was able to transfer in the TABC system to the Baytown office.

After “complaining” about various aspects of their life, Greg said to change her place of employment, get a different position or file for divorce! She chose to go to the officer’s academy to become a licensed TABC agent. She succeeded, likely beyond many of her male fellow students, and became an agent. Eventually she rose to the rank of Sergeant. She had multiple partners with which she was proud to serve. Some are serving today as her pall bearers. She retired in 2009 after 32 years in the TABC.

For nearly 40 years she was active in ESA (Epsilon Sigma Alpha), from which she has MANY dear friends. They sold extra- special “Easter Eggs” for fundraising as well as participated for many years in St Jude’s Telethons.

Charlotte also had an “infatuation/compulsion” for turtles – or was it Greg’s compulsion? Either way, she had well over 200 turtles, mainly ceramic, she enjoyed showing & collecting.

She and Greg loved traveling, especially on cruises. They went to the Mediterranean Sea more than once, particularly enjoying Italy and Croatia. Their greatest joy was travelling to and staying in Colorado, especially at rustic family cabin in Manitou Springs, CO, by the name of “Renhouse”. Charlotte, her sister, Alice, and their parents first went to Renhouse in 1948. Eventually the cabin was bought by her parents. After retirement, Greg and Charlotte bought a condo in Manitou Springs, to be able to enjoy Colorado any time of the year. However, health did not cooperate. Soon after purchasing the condo, Charlotte was diagnosed with COPD. It devastated her body for 7 years until finally being freed from it on Jan 18,2020.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gregory K. Clary; her younger brother and his wife, David & Alice O’Neil; 3 nieces and their husbands and children, Karen (Clayton & Cooper) Poole, Jennifer (Jesse, Mack & Anna) Stafford, Melinda ( Sam, Elijah & new baby son expected in April ) Mahaffey; Greg’s sister & her husband, Jane and Jim Ferris; several cousins and MANY, MANY friends.

In lieu of flowers which fade so quickly, donations could be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital that would leave a legacy of healing and hope.