Clara Guthrie Munholland Montgomery

Funeral services for Clara Guthrie Munholland Montgomery will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First Methodist Monroe in Monroe, Louisiana.  Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Mrs. Montgomery passed away peacefully on August 21, 2023 in Monroe.  She is survived by her children:  Aylmer Eugene Montgomery, III and his wife, Vada Cann Montgomery, Olive Montgomery Hester and her husband, Stephen Keith Hester, Elizabeth Montgomery Row and her husband, Alan Dockery Row, and Mary Laurens Montgomery Minich and her husband, Kent William Minich.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “CeCe”: Arabella Montgomery Moore and her husband, James Walter Moore, III, Thomas Langford Hester and his wife, Callie Baker Hester, Clara Elizabeth Hester, John Henry Truett, III and his wife, Amanda Thannisch Truett, Frances Elizabeth Truett Roney and her husband, Zachary Thomas Roney, James Munholland Montgomery Truett, Elliot Rutledge Row, Stuart Roberds Row, Rebecca Elizabeth Row, Charles Zimmerman Seely, Eliza Grayson Seely, Kellie Anne Minich and Caroline Frances Minich; and her great-grandchildren, James Walter Moore, IV, Vada Speed Moore, Thomas Langford Hester, Jr., Elizabeth Beilman Hester, Cece Ann Hester, Grace Adelaide Truett, Emmaline Louise Truett, and Frances Elizabeth Roney; her nephew, Joe King Montgomery; and her niece, Julie Anne Montgomery Antunes.

            Mrs. Montgomery was predeceased by her husband, Aylmer Eugene Montgomery, Jr.; her parents, Olive Guthrie Munholland and Charles Thomas Munholland; her mother- and father- in-law Frances Noel Montgomery and Aylmer Eugene Montgomery, Sr.; her brother-in-law, Joe Creath Montgomery; her sister-in-law Bernice Girault Montgomery; and her nephew, Shepard Girault Montgomery.

            Mrs. Montgomery was a life-long resident of Monroe.  She graduated from Neville High School, Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane University in New Orleans, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.  Following her graduation from Newcomb College, Mrs. Montgomery taught the fourth grade at Barkdull Faulk Elementary School in Monroe.  In 1955, she married Aylmer and was blessed with 61 years of unparalleled love and friendship.  She and Aylmer were active members of First United Methodist Church in Monroe.           

Throughout her life, Mrs. Montgomery participated in numerous civic and social organizations.  She was a member and past president of The Monroe Garden Study League, Inc., a Member of The Garden Club of America, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in The State of Louisiana, The Junior League of Monroe, Inc., and the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Association.  Additionally, she immensely enjoyed her membership in the “Sewing” Club and had a “grand time” at every meeting, especially with her first cousin, Olive Moss Sartor.

Mrs. Montgomery always had a sparkle in her eye, a remarkable wit, and ice cream in the freezer for her grandchildren and neighborhood friends. She appreciated the beauty of the earth and beautiful things, but above all, she appreciated and loved her family and friends and devoted her life to caring for them. 

Our family will miss Clara, but we are thankful that God has relieved her of her suffering, and she is now reunited with her beloved Aylmer and other family members whom God called before her.  What a joyous reunion!  We offer this prayer in loving memory of her, which was written by her aunt, the late Frances May Guthrie.

Our Father, we praise You for the gift of life to us and to all of Your creatures,

For Your guiding hand upon us and Your protection round about us.

We thank You for our friendship and duty, for good hopes and precious memories,

For the joys that cheer us and for the trials that teach us to trust in You.

Direct us in all our ways so that our work may be well done and we may enjoy the fruits of our labor in good conscience and with contented minds.

Help us to simplify our lives with quiet joy that will bring us into closer fellowship with You.  Amen.

            Pallbearers at the service will be Thomas Hester, Jack Truett, Monty Truett, Zim Seely, James Moore, III, Zack Roney, Dr. Walter M. Sartor, D. Ryan Sartor, III, W. Scott Guinn, Darin Ellett, Joe King Montgomery, and Mark K. Anderson, Sr.

            Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service at First Methodist Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Methodist Monroe, 3900 Loop Road, Monroe, Louisiana 71201 or to the charity of your choice.

“Twas grace that brought her here.  May grace lead her home.”