Devota J. R. Clair
Devota Jean Riley Clair, age 78, left this earth and went to meet the Lord on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. She was born January 16, 1941, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She spent most of her childhood growing up in Rolla, Kansas, where she met and married the love of her life, Everett Clair, Sr., in October 1959. Devota and Everett resided in Elkhart, Kansas, where they raised their five children. She graduated from Rolla High School and after raising her children; she then attended and graduated from Dodge City Community College with a registered nursing degree. She was employed for many years in the medical field as Director of Nurses in several nursing homes in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Elkhart, Kansas, and enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School to the children. Devota also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, camping, fishing, and playing cards.
Devota is survived by her two daughters, Becky Clair Rogers and husband Jerry of Comfort, Texas, and Bobbi Clair of Elkhart; three sons, Edward Clair of Elkhart, Junior Clair and wife Billi, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Ernie Clair of Elkhart; sister, Judy Peterson of Wichita; one brother, Jackie Riley of Rolla; and two granddaughters, Danni Clair and Stevi Clair of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, as well as many dear extended family.
Devota is preceded in death by her parents, Dessie and Richard Riley; husband, Everett Clair, Sr., and three brothers, Donald Wayne, Ronald Dean and Gary Leonard.
Funeral service will be held Monday, April 22, 2019, at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Ed Richards officiating. Interment will follow at the Rolla Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, April 21, 2019 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
