Clara Freel

Canton, NC - Clara Freel, age 92 passed away Friday, July 3, 2020 at Compass Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Mebane, NC after a period of declining health.  She was a resident of Haywood County, NC for fifty-nine years before moving to Alamance County to be near her family in Chapel Hill and Graham, NC.  She was born in Bay Minette, AL and attended the University of Alabama.  She was married for fifty-seven years to James (Jim) Freel before his death in 2006.  She partnered with Jim in his business at Freel Hardware Co. in Clyde, NC for nineteen years.  She and Jim raised three daughters.  Clara was preceded in death by her daughter Miriam Hall.

Clara was a very loving and devoted mother and grandparent and will be missed very much by her family and friends.  She helped organize a business and professional group in Clyde, NC and served as the co-chairwoman of a Fourth of July celebration for several years in Clyde.  She was a leader in the Girl Scouts for more than ten years.  She was a member of Canton Central United Methodist Church for fifty-nine years.

Clara was an avid gardener, raising African violets, roses, and many other kinds of plants in her home and managing an active gardening section in the hardware.  Her gardens were a reflection of her talent for gardening.

She is survived by her daughter and spouse, Shirley and Johnny Carson of Chapel Hill, her daughter and spouse, Elizabeth and John Craig of Graham, five grandchildren, Bradley Carson, Rebecca Carson and her husband John Lyles, Chad Craig, Alex Craig and fiancé Keri Willson, David Hall, and one great-grandchild, Jack Carson Lyles.

A memorial service will be held at Walker Funeral Home in Mebane, NC on Saturday, July 11 at 2:30 pm.  Burial will be in Canton, NC at the Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on the Old Clyde Highway following a graveside service at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Mebane Ridge Assisted Living and Compass Healthcare and Rehabilitation for their compassionate care and concern for Clara and her family.  Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

The care of  Mrs. Freel has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com