Clara McDermott

On the evening of March 16, 2021, Clara McDermott, 91, of Beebe, passed from this life at home, peacefully and quietly, in the company of family after several years of suffering from cognitive dementia.

Clara was born October 29, 1929, in Jasper, TX to Elbert and Doris (Worsham) Gallander as the sixth of nine siblings. She married B. L. (Mac) McDermott on April 20, 1950. After several years of moving from base to base, Clara and Mac were transferred to LRAFB in 1959 and finally settled in the Beebe area in 1963. Clara and Mac raised a family and became part of the fabric of the Anitoch community over the next 58 years.

Clara was faithful member of the Beebe First Baptist Church and a member of the Beebe Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for decades. She served as Grand Electra of the Arkansas OES in 2008.

She dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time together with them. Clara was known for her work ethic, organizing ability and cooking, Most especially cooking!

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, seven of her siblings, an infant daughter (Sharon Dee McDermott), her husband Mac and daughter-in-law Dixie McDermott.

She is survived by her sister Shirley (Wes) Hamilton of Oklahoma City, her sons Mike (Debbie) McDermott of Jacksonville, Pat McDermott of Beebe, and James (Annette) McDermott of Brighton, MO. Clara is also survived by grandchildren Brent (Jeana) Hallmark, Scott Hallmark, Brian (Marcie) McDermott, Amanda (Nate) Goodenow, Leann (Travis) Gregory, and Shelby (Ethan) Vaughn. Also surviving Clara are great grandchildren Raleigh Russ, Ty McDermott, Bailey McDermott, Max McDermott, Addy Hallmark, Hayden Hallmark, Carter Gregory, Rylee Vaughn, Lyla Vaughn, Fynlee Vaughn, Lantry Vaughn, Ridge Goodenow and Easton Goodenow. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks go to the members of the hospice team that helped in her care over the last year of her life. Instead of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project would be appreciated.  Pallbearers will be Scott Hallmark, Brent Hallmark, Brian McDermott, Deb Wisdom, Bobby Pruitt, and Clay Goff.  Honorary pallbearers are Billy Pruitt and Johnny Richards.

Visitation will be from 200-400 p.m. Sunday March 21 at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home with Funeral Service Monday, 11:00 a.m. March 22 at the First Baptist Church of Beebe officiated by Bro. Bob Hall.  Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery.