Clara Belle George

Clara Belle George lived a life firmly rooted in the religion that shaped her every experience. Whether tending to her ministry, garden, or pets, Clarie served those who shared her beliefs, never wavering in asserting what she believed to be right and true.

Clarie was born on June 11, 1939, in Quaker City, Ohio. As the daughter of a Nazarene minister, Clarie was raised in a home centered on religion. Her mother devoted herself to caring for the children and the house. While she was young, the family moved to a family farm in Georgetown, Pennsylvania, where they raised a few cattle and some crops to help pay the bills. The second oldest of seven children, Clarie was expected to help out on the family farm from a young age.

As she grew up poor and had to milk the cows before school, she never looked or smelled her best. As a result, kids made fun of her at school. One day, she got all cleaned up so she could look her best for her “friends” at school. Unfortunately, the cow she was milking flipped her poop saturated tail and smacked Clarie across her face. Clarie was so mad that she bit the cow's tail in return. This event clearly reflects the temper Clarie possessed throughout her life.

While attending church, Clarie had the good fortune to meet her future husband, Paul George, a soldier in the United States Army. The pair began dating, and their relationship grew over three years, during which Paul made 26 marriage proposals. Finally, when Paul asked a 27th time, Clarie said “yes,” and the couple married on December 16, 1972. For a time, Clarie and Paul lived in Germany, where Paul was stationed.

Religion was Clarie’s devoted passion and always came first in her life. She and Paul were ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene, Pittsburgh District, and served as pastors of Nazarene Churches in Clifton Springs, New York, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. After living in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where Paul was an adjunct professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Clair and Paul made their final home at the Nazarene Camp on Indian Lake in Vicksburg, Michigan.

Clarie was deeply rooted in her faith, spending much of her time reading the Bible and religious publications and enjoying old-school gospel music. She found great purpose in living what she believed to be a godly life.

Clarie was always busy doing something. She never acted her age and remained very active. She even fell through the attic of the church, with a 35ft fall, landing on a church pew and flew through a car windshield and lived; nothing could slow her down. She loved woodworking, gardening, tending to her flowers, and feeding the birds and other animals. Clarie’s woodworking resulted in many yard ornaments she painted. Her yard was adorned with many ornaments for every season; every inch of her place was decorated for every holiday. She also collected angels. With a great love for animals, Clarie always had Pomeranians and cats as pets. She even welcomed a few possums, squirrels, and other wildlife into her home.

After Paul died in 2010, Clarie spent time collecting all the stray cats at the Nazarene Camp in Vicksburg and helping neighbors with yard work. In 2019, Clarie began to experience the effects of Dementia. With signature resolve, she lived alone until 12 weeks ago, when she moved in with her son, Paul, and his wife, Kellie.

Members of Clara's family include her 4 children: Larry Fordyce, Ruth (Larry) Spriggs, Rusty (Cheryl) Fordyce, Paul (Kellie) George; grandchildren: Jason, Larry (Erica), Jesse (Caroline), Brittney (Landon), Shane, Tyler, Jeffery (Yuka), Skylar (Julia); great-grandchildren: Mia and Aria; and siblings: Floyd (Ruth) Hall, Bonnie (Bob) Thoman, Joy (Sonny) McAfee, Marvin (Deceased), Ward (Deceased) (Thelma).

Private services were held at Ft Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Clara's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to share stories or photos, or sign her guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to Mount Vernon Nazarene University for the Paul George Memorial Scholarship Fund. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.