Clara T. Morland-Rush

Claribelle May Thompson Morland Rush passed away on June 2, 2015 and is celebrating her new life in spirit with her large and loving family. Clara was born on March 9, 1921 in Carthage, Missouri to Everett Spencer Thompson and Edna Genevieve Stone. Clara was seventh in a large family of 13 children, what we happily refer to as Grandma Thompson’s “Baker’s Dozen.”

Clara was proud of her family history and shared many stories of her family experiences: the good times when they were out on the farm and one of the first families to have indoor plumbing – thanks to her Daddy being a plumber; the trials of her father’s illness from blood poisoning from a baby’s diaper pin and how her Mom nursed him back to health before anti-biotics; her Dad’s subsequent death and stories of poverty during the Great Depression and how the older kids worked to help support the family. She loved her family with a passion that knew no boundaries, and would do whatever she could to demonstrate her love.

During World War II, Clara and several of her sisters moved to Washington, DC with a house mother to work for the government. She met James C. Morland of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a streetcar in NW Washington, DC and fell for his wavy red hair, blue eyes, quick wit and droll humor. Their account was that Jim sat next to Clara to save her from the unwanted advances of another man on the trolley, and fell for her bright blue eyes and mid-western charm. The “Trolley Song” was their song. They were married on February 25, 1944 at the National Baptist Memorial Church in Washington, DC and were together until Jim passed away on January 2, 1987. Clara and Jim lived in DC until 1949. Jim’s forty plus year career as an electrical engineer with AT&T took them from Bedford, PA to Camp Springs, MD in 1964 and Frederick, MD in 1970.

Clara is the last of her 12 siblings and is survived by just one brother-in-law Harold Hodge, and one sister-in-law Jean Thompson. She is also survived by her daughters: Mary Patricia Morton; and Barbara Suzanne Staley and son-in-law Michael Staley, and their daughters: Laura Sebert and her husband Peter Sebert, and Heather Santoro and her husband Tom Santoro; and three great grandsons: Jacob Sebert, Samuel Sebert, and Aiden Santoro. She also will be missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Clara loved her church families. She regarded South End Baptist Church as her second family and was active in church life in Frederick Maryland for nearly 40 years, from 1970 until she relocated to Peterborough, NH in 2009. Clara loved to sing and played the piano. With her ability to read music, and a strong clear voice she often lead the choir’s alto section. Throughout her life, Clara was a devout Christian and an active church member. Many casseroles and homemade pies were baked for church functions over the years. When the Pennsylvania Turnpike closed due to heavy snows, stranded motorists were given refuge in the church and she would help prepare meals.

A private visitation and reception for family and Clara’s friends will be held Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 PM at Cournoyer Funeral Home in Jaffrey, NH. A Memorial Service will be held at Knell Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri on October 24, 2015.