Clara Farmer

Clara (Slack) Farmer, 85, of Dyersburg passed away Monday, Aug. 20, 2018.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Dyersburg, with the Rev. Mike Hickman officiating.
Visitation will be from noon until the hour of services at the church.
The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Dyersburg First Baptist Church Building Fund, 220 Masonic St., Dyersburg, TN 38024.
Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born in Athens, on March 19, 1933. She was the daughter of John Charles and Clara Roller Slack, both of whom were from early East Tennessee families. After her family moved to Knoxville in 1948, she was in the last graduating class at Knoxville High School. She entered the University of Tennessee in 1951 and graduated in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree in library science. While at UT she was active in the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
She married Ralph Woodson Farmer Jr. on Dec. 29, 1956, at Church Street Methodist Church in downtown Knoxville. Upon her husband’s graduation from law school, they moved to Memphis where he practiced law. Clara worked at Cossitt Library and then became the high school librarian in Collierville for four years. While in Memphis she belonged to the LeBonheur Club and was in the Brooks Art Gallery League.
She moved with her husband and three children to Dyersburg in 1970. She was first and foremost a loving wife and mother, devoting her life to the happiness and well being of her family. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Dyersburg. She was a member of WMU and taught many Sunday School classes of all ages through the years. She was a strong supporter of the Dyersburg Community Concert Association and previously served as president of the organization. Clara was also involved in numerous other charities and organizations in her community.
Her circle of friends was wide, she enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Good Earth Garden Club. She enjoyed reading and was a member of The Little Book Club and The Random Readers book club. She also enjoyed playing Bridge and was in two bridge clubs. Even though having graduated more than 50 years earlier, she remained a fervent supporter of the Tennessee Volunteers football and basketball teams.
She and her husband traveled extensively and saw many parts of the world together, including visits to China, Australia, Egypt, Greece and numerous trips to other European countries. One of Clara’s fondest memories was a 50th wedding anniversary cruise down the Rhine River in Germany with her husband, their children and their spouses. Clara loved to spend time with her family and especially her grandchildren, who praised and adored her.
As she faced her illness she often expressed her readiness and delight that she would be joining her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Clara is survived by her three children: Woodson Randolph Farmer and his wife, Laura, of Germantown, Mrs. Whitney Farmer McDonald and her husband, James, of Memphis, and Mrs. Wesley Farmer Conley and her husband, Steve, of Union City.
She was blessed with six grandchildren to who she was devoted: Emmaline Farmer of Germantown, Clara, Thompson and Cole McDonald, all of Memphis, and Tripp and Caroline Conley of Union City. She also is survived by her sister Mrs. Becky Hunt and her husband, Larry, of San Diego; and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Nancy Kelley of Crossville.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Woodson Farmer Jr.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com.

Published 8.22.18