Clara Miller Carlson

1930 - 2021

Clara Miller (Dorn) Carlson Our loving Mother and Grandmother, Clara Miller (Dorn) Carlson of Torrance, CA went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2021. Clara lived a full life, and was a member of Torrance First Baptist Church for over 60 years. She was born on October 26, 1930 in Canton, Georgia, the second child of William Leland Dorn and Clara Estelle (Miller) Dorn. When she was six years old, the family drove from Georgia in a 1936 Plymouth to Los Angeles and settled there. She graduated from Culter Academy in 1947, and in 1951 received her B.A. from UCLA, where she was president of Alpha Delta Chi sorority. At age 20, she realized "the futility of everything else but living for Christ and serving him," which solidified her commitment to Christian service. Clara taught elementary school for two years, then continued her education at The Biblical Seminary In New York (now New York Theological Seminary) and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, receiving a Masters in Religious Education. She later received another Master's degree from Los Angeles State College (now Cal State Los Angeles). At Torrance First Baptist Church, while working as the Christian Education Director, she met her future husband Verlon Carlson in 1957. In 1959 Clara left for India to be a missionary-teacher in Midnapore. After five years in India, Clara pursued another calling and married Verlon in 1965, settled in Torrance, and started a family. Clara continued her commitment to Christian discipleship and teaching by leading women's Bible studies and teaching adult Sunday School for many years. Clara is predeceased by her husband Verlon Carlson and her sister Mary Ann Gates. She is survived by her daughters, Kim Carlson Vokolek (Eddie) of Rancho Palos Verdes and Karen Carlson Hatt (Eric) of Torrance; and her grandchildren, Michael Hatt, San Jose, CA; Christine Hatt, Jacksonville, FL; Kayla Vokolek, Rancho Palos Verdes; and Jenna Vokolek, Rancho Palos Verdes. We are praising Jesus Christ for the blessing of a wonderful mother and grandmother. A memorial service will be held at Torrance First Baptist Church on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 10:00AM.