Clara Rector Johnson

Clara Rector Johnson, 75, of Morganton, NC entered into the open arms of her loving Savior on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 following a brief illness. Born in Burke County, NC on January 17, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Roy William Rector and Nellie Flo Rhoney Rector. Clara was a lifelong Baptist and attended several local Baptist churches. She served her Lord with song and testimony at all the churches and loved singing with her family. Clara retired from Drexel Heritage Furnishings after over 45 years of employment. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and adored providing child care for her grandchildren.Clara is survived by her daughter, Martha Stewart and husband, Jimmy, of Morganton; sons, Matthew Johnson and wife, Jennifer, and Timothy Johnson and wife, Linda, both of Morganton; grandchildren, Melisa Stewart Wellman and husband, Jeffrey, Natasha Stewart, Jeremy Stewart, Jessica Stewart, Randal Johnson, Thomas Blackburn and wife, Melissa, Tyler Blackburn and wife, Nicki, Sara Johnson, and Noah Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Blake, Alec, and Madilee Wellman, Gavin Blackburn, Katelyn Blackburn, Juli Stewart, Grant Stewart, and Gabriel Blackburn.In addition to her parents, Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Garland Manuel Johnson, and a son, Mark W. Johnson.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2012 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Ed Lawing, Billy Mace, Danny McNeilly officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke United Christian Ministries, 305-B West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655, The Gideons International, P.O. Box 678, Morganton, NC 28680, or to a church of the donor’s choice.