Clara Ellen MOODY

Clara Ellen Moody Mertz, 93, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2022 after a long, difficult battle with heart disease, diverticulosis/itis, seizures and dementia. Clara earned the nickname Energizer Bunny after defying the odds and bouncing back after numerous health crisis. Clara was born in Corning, Arkansas the first of 10 children on June 21, 1929, to the late Harry Myers, Sr., and Glady (Dunlap) Myers. Clara is survived by her beloved sisters Iola Smith (Ernie, deceased), Norma Hicks (Tommy), and brother Ronnie Myers (Susan). Clara was preceded in death by brothers Loren Myers, Richard Myers, Harry Myers Jr., and Robert Myers, as well as sisters Viola Boswell & Delores Faye Hill. Clara went to school in Dyess Colony, a New Deal agricultural resettlement colony to give destitute farmers a chance for a new start in life. Consisted primarily of swamp and cutover forest land, although containing deep topsoil, which was great for growing cotton. In Dyess, Clara did a lot of cotton picking, and had her first crush on schoolmate Jack Cash, Johnny Cash’s older brother that perished from a table saw accident at school. She always said Jack was the talented one, but that didn’t stop her from listening to Johnny’s music! After dropping out of high school in 10th grade to help with the babies, Clara put herself through secretarial school, becoming a secretary at the City Collector Office for her then hometown of Blytheville, Arkansas, eventually working as a legal secretary, Wellston School District secretary and McWaters Real Estate secretary, and served as church secretaries at St. Andrew United Methodist and Lutheran Church of the Living Christ. Clara also worked as an Interviewer/Study Coordinator for the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Clara met the love of her life, Garland Moody when his family owned the farm that Clara’s family were living on. In 1947 they married in Blytheville, Arkansas. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and after losing twin sons at birth in 1955, became loving parents (after 11 years of marriage) to (Ellen) Kay Losciuto (John Massa) of St. Charles, Missouri, Rodney Moody (Deanna) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Stanley Moody (Osa) of Wentzville, Missouri. Clara took a break from work to raise her children, becoming a Brownie leader, Girl Scout Board Member, Den Mother and Cub Scout Board Member, PTA member, Teacher’s Aide, tutor, and childhood activity chauffeur. In 1974, Garland preceded Clara in death, so she moved back to Blytheville, Arkansas to be near her mother and siblings. While in Blytheville, Clara married Allen Moody in 1978, and they divorced in 1979. A lifelong learner, Clara got her GED, and went on to become a real estate appraiser, earned her real estate license, and studied many college courses. After Clara retired from her work as church secretary, she worked part time at Jamestown Mall as an Information Agent for the mall, and as Product Specialist for A&W Root Beer, handing out food samples, where her boss played match maker by setting her up with the sweet mall walker, widower Delmar Mertz. Clara and Del were married in 1998 (in front of the Jamestown Mall A&W Root Beer counter!), and enjoyed traveling, especially on cruises and to the beach, eventually becoming snowbirds wintering in Florida. While home in St. Louis, Clara and Del became gifted flower growers, covering their deck during growing season. And Clara took up photography, becoming a regular at Creve Coeur Camera classes, filling up albums and walls with her artistry. Del passed away in 2011, and ever since Clara has been waiting mostly patiently to reunite with all those she loved that are on the other side. Clara leaves her children and their spouses, grandchildren Chris and Nick (Kay and 1st husband Anthony), bonus grandchildren Frankie and David (Rodney and Deanna), and Howie, Katie, Cammie and John (Stan and Osa). A Celebration of Life Memorial Luncheon will be held in remembrance of Clara at the New Town St. Charles Town Hall, 3420 Civic Cir. St. Charles, MO. 63301 on November 27, 2022, from 1pm to 3pm. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to The American Heart Association in her honor.

Clara Ellen MOODY

June 21, 1929 - November 18, 2022