Clara Virginia Smith Persinger of Riverside Rest, WV went to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday February 5, 2022.

She was born in Clayton, West Virginia, to the late Elijah Lee (Bruce) Smith and Eliza Jane Bragg Smith on June 15, 1930.  Clara was preceded in death by her loving husband Garland Allen Persinger, beloved son Warrant Officer Robert Morrison Persinger, her parents Bruce & Eliza Smith, Brothers:-Cecil, Clenden, Henry, Daniel, Jack, Tom, & Elliott Smith.  Sisters: Bertha Kirby, Gracie Persinger, Ida Bennett, and Sylvia Kirby. Daughter-in-Law Vena Coiner Persinger, Sons-in-Law Gary W. Crawford and Hugh P.Barnette.

Clara attended school on Kirby Mountain near Clayton WV and was a lifelong member of Clayton Baptist Church, where she served helping in Sunday School, and Vacation Bible Schools.  In later years, she also attended Pence Springs Community Church.

Clara read her Bible, prayed, and attended church faithfully.  She enjoyed hosting dinner for her family on Sunday afternoons and Thanksgivings.  Clara loved playing ball, fishing & hunting with her grandchildren and telling them her made up "tales" which they loved to hear.  Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, and crocheting afghans which she gifted to all her children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Roger Persinger (Brenda), of Pence Springs, WV, Ruth Crawford Barnette, of Princeton, WV, and Robin Persinger Biggers (Edward), of Fredericksburg, VA.; one sister, Leota Cantley Thompson of Lowell, WV; Grandchildren: Roberta (Chris) Mann, Mark (Audrey) Persinger, Kelly Crawford, Scott Crawford, Kayla (Adam) Pettrey, Matthew, Jasmine, Denisha Biggers, Kandace(Ricky) McKnight, Willie, Crawford, and Dustin Biggers; 12 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday February 12, 2022 at the Pence Springs Community Church, Pence Springs, WV with Pastor Roger Persinger and Edward Biggers, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Clayton Baptist Church Cemetery.  Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until time of services Saturday at the church.

Grandsons, Mark Persinger, Kelly and Scott Crawford, Matthew and Dustin Biggers and Willie Crawford will serve as pallbearers.