Clara Lee Stevens Gurley

Goldsboro – One hundred and two years of blessings in this world ended for Clara Lee Stevens Gurley on October 28, 2003 as she moved on to the greater blessings of eternity.

Mrs. Gurley was the daughter of the late Henry Walter and Mary Alice Grantham Stevens. Aldon Richard Gurley, her late husband, and she shared a happy home in the Nahunta community for thirty-five years. They farmed and ran a local country store. After his death, Mrs. Gurley became a resident of Goldsboro.

Clara Gurley shared her talents in Christian love in many ways in her long life. Among her services to Wayne County was active membership until her recent illness in the Wayne County Extension Homemakers, the Goldsboro Garden Club and the Goldsboro Woman’s Club. She also served as a Wayne County 4-H leader for many years. For twenty-five years she was a volunteer worker at the Wayne County Fair. She did volunteer work with the American Red Cross for over thirty years and was chosen to be honored by the Air Force to fly to Florida on an in-flight fueling mission at the age of 88.

She attended Oxford College, State University and Wake Forest University and earned her teaching certificates. She taught school for seven years, worked at Weil’s Department Store, and was executive secretary for the Tuberculosis Association for four years.

Mrs. Gurley attended St. Luke United Methodist Church, but her membership remained at the Nahunta Friends Meeting where she and Mr. Gurley were married.

She was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters, Luby Stevens, Rexford Stevens, Foster Stevens, Rena Stevens Hollowell, Lila Mae Stevens, Elma Stevens Pegram, Ina Stevens Warrick, Leola Stevens Price, and Effie (Tommie) Stevens Jones.

Mrs. Lila Fagan is her sole surviving sister. They lived together in Goldsboro for the past seventeen years.

Mrs. Gurley and her husband, Aldon, never had any children so they shared their lives with their numerous nieces and nephews. Three generations of these children lovingly called her “Aunt Clara.” In her last days she could only say a few words. Of course, they were kind words and the ones she said the most were “thank you.” But those who loved her so much say, “thank you, dear Clara.”

A celebration of Clara’s life will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home Chapel with her nephew, Rev. Harold Stevens presiding, and with Ken Spivey and Rev. Earl Dulaney assisting. Burial will follow at Falling Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, 600 N. George Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or to Nahunta Friends Meeting, 2529 NC 581 North, Pikeville, NC 27863.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.