Clara Ann Rose

Clara Ann (nee Smith) Rose, 96, of St. Cloud, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024. She was the wife of Loran Clair Rose who passed away in Weslaco, Texas, in 2017. Clara is survived by her son Ken Rose of Texas and his wife Almera and her daughter Kathy Rafiner and her husband Robin.

She was born in Mount Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri, on April 25, 1928, and the daughter of the late Oscar L Smith and Margaret Ann (Fike) Smith. Clara was the last surviving child of Oscar and Margaret Smith’s eleven children. She was raised and married in Mount Vernon, Missouri and later moved to Kansas City, MO, Raytown, MO, and finally to Lee’s Summit, MO. She and Loran planned, managed, drove the nails, and built their last three homes. She was forever proud of the fact that all five of her brothers returned safely from military service during World War II. One of her better memories was of singing in high school and on the radio in Springfield, MO. Forever the Elvis Presley fan, going to his concerts and watching his movies over and over again. And the day of Elvis’s death, flying in their private plane to the gates of his home in Memphis. Just the mention of blue suede shoes, and she was in the strong song mode.

She is survived by three grandchildren, Jenny Rafiner-Jarboe and her wife JoAnna living in Medford, Oregon, Becky Irvine and her husband Dean living in Cleveland, Georgia, and Dan Rafiner and his wife Ashley living in Columbia, Missouri.

And 6 great grandchildren living across the country, Max, Graeme, Finley, June, Sid, and J.J.

There will be a short graveside service in Lee’s Summit, MO on 26 Oct 2024.

In lieu of flowers, we are requesting contributions to Tunnels to Towers in her name.