Clara Theresa Zachary

The sweet Christian spirit of Clara Theresa Powers Zachary, age 98 years and 10 months, entered into Heaven on Sunday, September 20, 2015. On November 20, 1916 Clara was born the youngest of seven children to Latham and Elizabeth Powers at their Homeplace in Grangeville, LA. As a young child, her family moved to Clinton, LA. Being the youngest child of older parents, Clara attended dances- to the annoyance of her older sisters, who had at her age only been allowed to go to taffy-pull parties. Clara graduated from Clinton High School and attended Normal College in Natchitoches, now known at Northwestern State University. Later, Clara with her dear cousin, Daisy Bridges Walker, completed beauty school in New Orleans. On July 30, 1937, she married Ira Ellis Zachary. They made their home in Clinton, where they had three children. The day after the youngest child was born, Ira was in a car accident and taken to the same hospital where his wife and newborn daughter were. He died four days later. On March 6, 1954, Clara married Rodney Allen Zachary, Ira's bachelor brother, who adopted the three children. They moved the family to Sulphur where Clara opened a kindergarten in her home and later a beauty shop. Upon Rod's retirement in 1979, they returned to Clinton where they co-owned R&R Peach Orchard with their son, Richard. In 1991, they moved back to Sulphur where they spent their final years traveling and socializing with family and friends. Clara loved fellowship and worshipping with her friends at Maplewood First Baptist Church, playing dominos, and hosting her supper club. Her family was her pride and joy. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 2 PM at Maplewood First Baptist Church in Sulphur, with visitation beginning at 11 AM. A second service will be held in Clinton at Feliciana Baptist Church, where she was a founding member. Service will be at 10 AM, with visitation beginning at 8 AM. Burial will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Clinton. She is survived by her son Kenneth Ira Zachary (wife Jolie) and daughter Darlyne Z. Allain (husband Jeff) all of Sulphur. Grandchildren are Jill Zachary and Lisa Allain Payton of Sulphur; Jeffrey Allain (Kelly) of Lake Charles; Tara Zachary Laver (Harry); Julie Allain Warwick (Chris), and Brent Allain, all of Baton Rouge; David Zachary (Andrea) of Natchitoches; Stephanie Zachary Lee (Rick) of Carrollton, TX; Monique Zachary Attuso Rodriguez (Ricky), Michelle Zachary Williams (Chris), Bridget Zachary, and Jenee Zachary Harvey (Kyle), all of Clinton. Great-granddaughters are Rebecca and Erica Lee; Mary Catherine, Sarah Beth, Emma and Lily Zachary; Evangeline Allain; Aubrey and Josie Harvey; and Clara Cait Williams. Great-grandsons are Alex (Jennifer) and Taylor (Shalynn) Zachary; Derek (Victoria) and Daniel (Stacy) Broussard; Drew, Reed, and Matthew Allain; Marc and Zachary Attuso; Ben Warwick; Eli Darwin; and Reece Harvey. Great-great-grandchildren are Allie Romero and Trey, Brooke, Mason and Alyssa Broussard. Clara was greeted at Heaven's gates by the sweet smiling face of her great-grandson, Jackson Attuso; her two loving husbands Ira and Rodney Zachary; her son Richard Ellis Zachary; parents Latham and Elizabeth Powers; sisters Gladys Powers, Maude Renfroe, Bettie Burns, and Lucille Carter; and brothers Peavey and Clarence (Doc) Powers. Pallbearers are David Zachary, Brent and Jeffrey Allain, Alex Zachary, Daniel and Derek Broussard, Drew and Reed Allain, and Marc Attuso. Honorary pallbearers are Taylor Zachary, Matthew Allain, Ben Warwick, Zachary Attuso, Eli Darwin, Reece Harvey, and nephew, Wellington Carter, Jr. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Monroe, LA or the Shriner's Children Hospital in Galveston, TX.