Clara Elizabeth Lacy Fentress

Clara Elizabeth Lacy Fentress August 21, 1902 – October 2, 2006 Clara Elizabeth Lacy Fentress died peacefully at her home in Waco on Monday, October 2, 2006. She was 104. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 5 at Oakwood Cemetery with Reverend Ron Durham officiating. Clara was born in Dallas, Texas on August 21, 1902, to Edward Franklin and Mattie Hallum Lacy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlon Morse Fentress; her parents; two brothers, Frank and Donald Lacy; her son, Joel Morse Fentress; another son, deceased at birth; and her son-in-law, Edward Lee Humphreys, III. Clara was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a degree in business, an unusual accomplishment at that time for a woman. She met Harlon Morse Fentress at the University, and they married January 7, 1924. Harlon, owner and publisher of Newspapers Inc., which included the Waco Tribune Herald, was her life’s partner until his death in 1976. These publications were sold to Cox Enterprises just prior to his death. Clara was active in local charities and organizations, and was a charter member of the Thursday Study Club. She taught an Adult Sunday school class at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for many years. Her love of poetry and her own published poetic works were an important part of her amazingly long life. Her quick wit and extraordinary mind were a challenge to those who knew her. She operated a computer into her nineties, and could recite lengthy poems even prior to her death. Her conversation was upbeat and clever. You always knew where you stood with her. Her faith was her rock -- an ever present help and guide throughout her life, and even so into eternity. She remained alert and served as a counselor to her friends and family until her last days. Her survivors are: her daughter, Sara Humphreys Warren, and her husband, Bill Warren of Waco; grandchildren, Laurie Fentress Humphreys of Austin; Margaret Humphreys Cummings and husband, Corky of Wichita Falls; Edward Lee Humphreys IV of Durango, Colorado; five great grandchildren, Carl Spencer Morse, Harlon Humphreys Morse, Sara Meredith Cummings, Ann Elizabeth Cummings, and Benjamin James Cummings; nephew, Andrew Lacy and niece, Linda Kruse. Her family wishes to express its deep appreciation to those individuals who provided loving care in her later years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey