Shirley May Clapp, 83, of Baker City, died July 23, 2009, at Ashley Manor Assisted Living.
Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Shirley was born on Aug. 30, 1925, at Haines. She was the third and youngest child of Milton Charles and Elva Leona White Clapp. Shirley attended Haines grade school and high school.
After her father’s death, she and her mother moved to Pendleton where she graduated from high school in 1943. Shirley lived with her mom until her death in 1992.
While living in Pendleton, she became a certified nursing assistant and worked at that for several years. She never married, but gathered lots of good friends through the years.
Shirley loved music and played the piano, organ and the guitar. She was always happy and content with whatever came her way, be it good times or bad, family members said.
She loved to tat small crosses and give them to people she’d meet on the street. Everyone who received a tatted cross felt blessed by her. She was one of the few people left who knew that art form, according to her family.
“She was a bright light to everyone who knew her and will be dearly missed,” they said. “She had an uplifting Bible verse memorized for every occasion and was happy to talk to anyone about her Lord.”
Survivors include her oldest brother and his wife, Eldon and Norma Clapp; two nieces and their husbands, Linda and Elliott Rosenberg and Terri and Bob Sternfield, and a nephew and his wife, Steve and Tracy Clapp, all living in Chicago; and five great-nephews and three great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father; her mother; and an older brother, Howard “Bud” Clapp.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice through the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 27, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor