Clara Lillie Bolden-Bray

Published 2:00 pm Thursday, July 25, 2013

A Homegoing celebration for Mrs. Clara Lillie Bolden-Bray, 85, will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013, at Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church, 321 Center Street, New Iberia. Pastor Allen Randle will be officiating.

Entombment will follow in Holy Family Mausoleum in New Iberia.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday until time of services at the church.

Community musicians and singers are also invited to a Mass Choir Rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 1110 Barrow Street in Franklin.

Earthly life began for Clara Lillie Bolden on Wednesday, August 3, 1927, in St. Mary Parish, born to the union of the late Jeff Bolden Sr. and Shaldonia Lemon Bolden. She was married to the late Murphy Bray.

Being a God fearing Christian woman, she lived a life committed to Christ and the church. She served faithfully as a well-known musician and soloist for several community churches and the Union Sixth District Baptist Association, as well other capacities in the church.

In addition to her husband and parents, she now joins in glory three infant sons; a great-grandson Trent Hayward Jr.; eight siblings; and her foster parents. God suddenly but peacefully transitioned Clara to a place of eternal rest on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in Houston with her family at her side.

Clara’s life, legacy and precious memories will always remain in the hearts of her two children Meredith Diane Bray and Rodney Dale Bray, both of Houston ; three grandchildren Robert Mitchell Jr. (Lakeysha) and Clara Tranase Mitchell, both of Franklin, and Murphy Mitchell (April) of Atlanta; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, adopted children, other relatives and friends.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Carney Funeral Home, 602 N. Pierce Street, Lafayette, 235-9789, Condolences may be expressed to the family online at http://www.carneyfuneralhome.net.