Clara Jean Morey's Obituary
Clara passed away at the age of 90 on December 2, 2022. She was born in Cardwell, Missouri on December 19, 1931 to Cecil and Tressie Burcham.
Clara was raised in the Church of Christ and lived her life as a devout Christian. She graduated from Malden High School in 1949. While in high school, Clara could be seen donning her school colors and white cowgirl boots, twirling a baton, as a majorette. Shortly after graduation, in 1949, she married Kenneth Hopper and moved to Alabama. They would eventually move to Michigan followed by Indiana before they ultimately planted their roots back in Michigan.
In 1957, they had their first of two daughters, Pamela. Three years later, in 1960, they welcomed Patty. While her daughters were in school, Clara was a stay-at-home mother and housewife. She taught children’s Bible class at the Garden City Church of Christ. She is remembered for her hospitality and phenomenal cooking skills. She hosted several gatherings for her family and her church family as her girls grew up. After her girls graduated from high school, Clara began working as a jeweler, a career that she would maintain for over 30 years. She received her certification as a diamontologist in 1983.
In 1990, Clara lost her husband, Kenneth. However, in 2000, she would meet the second love of her life, Wayne, first online before traveling to Alaska to meet him face-to-face. They married on New Year’s Eve in 2001. They lived in Livonia, Michigan for a time before moving to Florida in 2005 where they would live together until Clara’s passing.
In addition to cooking and hosting gatherings, Clara enjoyed traveling, being an active member of her church, spending time with her family, and especially, doting on her precious dog, Molly.
Clara is survived by her husband, Wayne Morey; her daughter, Patty (Chris) Reeves; her siblings, Jack (Jean) Burcham and Jim (Wendy) Burcham; her grandchildren, Christopher (Arlena) Henry, Sarah Brooks, Crystal (Shawn) Potter, Patrick Reeves, and Amy (Chris) Olson; and her great-grandchildren, Lily, Isaac, Cabhan, Christopher, and Clara.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Kenneth; and her daughter, Pamela.
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