Clara Willis Brown

Clara Willis Brown, 90, of Stuttgart, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Crestpark of Stuttgart. She was born on October 9, 1934, in Keo, Arkansas, to G.F. “Buck” and Maude Hill.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband of 45 years, Morris H. “Jiggs” Willis; their infant daughter, Nancy Carol Willis; her second husband of 18 years, Mason D. Brown; her sisters, Ruby Olinghouse and Jeanie Tomastic; and her brother, George Hill.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail Shrum Miller (Terry) of Oklahoma City and Donna Eddins (Gene) of Stuttgart; her granddaughter, Melissa Spence (Jeff) of Vilonia; and her beloved great-grandson, Moss Spence of Vilonia.

A retired dental assistant, Clara never met a stranger and truly cherished the company of others. She was a devoted member of the First Christian Church of Stuttgart, joining by confession of faith on October 4, 1949. Over the years, she served on numerous church committees and played an active role in the Christian Women’s Fellowship at both the local and state levels. She was among the first women in her congregation to serve as a deaconess and elder.

Clara also had a deep appreciation for those who served in the military. With both of her husbands having military backgrounds, she dedicated herself to the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, holding various leadership roles. Whether she was distributing poppies on Veterans Day, placing flags on veterans' graves for Memorial Day, or securing sponsorships for Girls State, Clara was always eager to serve. In 2009, she was honored with the Distinguished Woman of the Year Award for her numerous contributions to the community. She was also an active member of the Stuttgart Amici Club, Eastern Star, and the Stuttgart Business and Professional Women’s organization.

Clara found joy in reading, watching movies, and mastering the game of Mexican Train dominoes. However, one of her greatest passions was hosting gatherings and making people feel welcome. If you were lucky enough to be invited to her home, you knew you wouldn’t leave hungry - Clara loved to prepare a feast and took great pride in her hospitality.

Of all the titles she held in life, “MeMe” was her favorite. Her great-grandson, Moss, was the light of her life. The three years they spent together were filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished traditions. Whether they were shopping, sharing snacks, or simply enjoying each other’s company, their bond was truly special.

A celebration of Clara’s life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church in Stuttgart, with burial to follow at Lone Tree Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to her service.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Christian Church P.O. Box

1314, Stuttgart, AR 72160 or Stuttgart Animal Shelter, 304 S. Maple St., Stuttgart, AR 72160.