Clara McIntyre Donahue

Clara McIntyre Donahue, 84, of Ellerbe, passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia.

A celebration of Clara’s life will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 28, at Ellerbe First Baptist Church with Rev. James Brown and Rev. Andy Pettigrew officiating.  Interment will follow in Ellerbe Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:45 – 10:45 until time of service at 11:00.

Born October 27, 1933 in Ellerbe, North Carolina, Clara was a daughter of the late Herman and Ina Reynolds McIntyre. She was a graduate of Ellerbe High School, Class of 1951 and lettered in Girls’ Basketball. She was a member of Ellerbe First Baptist Church where she was active in youth activities and beautification of the church. She retired from the dental field after 40 years of service, and returned to Ellerbe from Charlotte. She then gave generously of her time to the church, and as a volunteer with  Community Home Care and Hospice and FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Donahue and sister, Virginia McIntyre Race.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Terri Donahue Anderson (Steve) of Smithfield, Virginia, and son Keith Donahue (Susan) of Uniontown, Ohio; grandchildren, Zak Anderson (Quinn), Derek Anderson, Lucas Donahue, Jacob Donahue; brother, Eugene McIntyre (Shelby) of Ellerbe; many beloved nieces and nephews; and loving companion Terry Davidson of Rockingham.

Clara was beautiful, and people noticed that even to the end of her life. She was funny, gracious, unassuming, and interested in everyone, and people noticed that even more. She taught her kids to say “yes, ma’am.”  She had adventures; she went to space camp, she made trips to Montana, to Germany, and rode the Goodyear blimp. She never met a stranger, and she loved her friends. She also loved “Big Daddy,” her cat, dessert, traveling, the color green, jewelry, flowers, and a warm sunny day. She loved her family most of all. She, and the sound of jingling bracelets, will be missed by everyone that knew her.  

Memorials may be made to the Ina McIntyre Scholarship Fund, c/o Ellerbe First Baptist Church, P.O.Box 8, Ellerbe, NC 28338.