Clara Mae Bowers

She was born in Forgan, OK on July 13, 1936 to George Potter and Zelma Tolle Potter.

She was married to her first husband Joseph Sonka for 11 years until his passing on November 23, 1963 and then was married to Clarence W. Bowers Jr. for 39 years until his passing on September 16, 2003.

Clara was a homemaker, worked Hidalgo County elections, worked the CCISD high school football games and was a lifelong volunteer. Clara gave her heart to Christ as a young woman. She served Him in a variety of capacities in several churches. Clara was Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Women’s Organization. She was Treasurer of Circle 1 for 18 years, Treasurer of the Presbyterian Women for 9 years, Chairman of the annual Trash and Treasure Sale, Member of the Su Casa Toy Makers, and a VBS and Sunday School teacher. She taught 4-H cooking and sewing classes for several years. She volunteered her time with the Girl Scouts of America. With her husband being a volunteer fireman for 33 years, Clara was an active volunteer in a variety of fireman’s community functions. She was a member of the Edinburg Regional Center Hospital Auxiliary for 15 years. Her favorite pastime was working in the hospital gift shop for many of those years and was the Assistant Manager for 5 years. She was recognized and honored for volunteering over 10,000 hours during those 15 years. Clara was an excellent seamstress and sewed for the public for many years and she made all the ballet costumes for the Edinburg Dance Academy for 2 years. In addition, she made the wedding dresses, the mother of the bride’s dresses and all the gowns for the wedding parties for both of her daughters. Clara would dedicate 14 years of volunteering at the Texas Avenue Community Church Food Pantry and she was also one of the founding members. Clara volunteered and managed the League City Elementary and Parr Elementary school stores for the PTA while her two youngest grandsons were in elementary school.

Clara was a member of the Texas Avenue Community Church, Local Bible Study Group, and Texas PTA. She also had a passion for sewing, quilting, managing estate sales, garage sales, and 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her first husband; Joseph Sonka, her second husband; Clarence W. Bowers, Jr., and her two brothers; Clayton Potter and Alvin Potter.

She is survived by a brother; Bill O’Donnell and wife Corliss of Mountain Home, AR, a sister in law; Nelda Potter of McAllen, TX, two daughters; Sandy Roucloux and her husband Daniel of Pflugerville, TX, Roxie Rydl and her husband Kerry of League City, TX, a son; Alan Bowers and his wife Robin of League City, TX, a stepson; Wendell Bowers of Castroville, TX, seven grandchildren, Cameron Roucloux and his wife Jamie, Deborah Roucloux, Ethan Roucloux, Preston Rydl, Dylan Rydl, Stacie Ingram and her husband Donald, Jennifer Rhodes and her husband Andrew, four great grandchildren; Olivia Roucloux, McKenna Rhodes, Daniel Ingram and Devan Ingram.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Food Pantry Ministry at Texas Avenue Community Church, 320 Texas Avenue, League City, TX, 77573

The family would like to provide a special thank you to those who cared for Clara in the last few months of her life; Regent Care Center- League City, Maria Casanova, Nancy Huffman and Tammy McNeley.

Family will be receiving friends at 9:00 am- visitation, 10:00 am- funeral service, followed by a graveside service on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery at 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598.

Serving as pallbearers are Daniel Roucloux, Cameron Roucloux, Ethan Roucloux, Kerry Rydl, Preston Rydl, Dylan Rydl, Alan Bowers and Wendell Bowers.