Clara Wilson

Clara Mabel Boggs Wilson, 100, passed away in her sleep on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The family will receive guests from 11 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Service at 12 noon, Friday, Dec. 5, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Rev. Bryant L. Bacon Sr. of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Niles, officiating. Burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.clarkch.com.

A full century of life began for Clara Mabel Boggs Wilson on Aug. 2, 1925, in Marlinton West Virginia, as the ninth of 11 children born to William Madison Boggs Sr. and Mabel Wheeler Boggs. Clara grew up in West Virginia where she met and married Rev. Charles E. Wilson. Their marriage lasted 55 years until his death in 2001.

In 1955, she and the family moved to Benton Harbor, then Dowagiac. As first lady of several A.M.E. churches in the area (Conner AME, Dowagiac, Quinn Chapel AME, Cassopolis, Bethel AME, Volinia, and Franklin AME, Niles), Clara was involved in numerous service and missionary activities. In addition to her church involvement, she was active in many school and community activities to support her husband and four children (Mildred, Kenneth, Doretha, and Edgar).

After she became an "empty nester," she unselfishly followed her husband and his ministry from Southwest Michigan to Washington Chapel AME Church in Roswell, New Mexico, then to Bethel AME Church in Adrian, Michigan.

Clara was a caretaker. Most who knew her would describe her as sweet and kind. Her home was always open to friends, neighbors, and especially extended family members.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Mildred (George) Eccles, and all of her siblings: Ralph Boggs, Rev. Sanford Boggs, Rosie Gethers Williams, Rev. Carl Boggs, Orabelle Maxwell, Josephine Boggs, Mary Evans, Ethel Stewart, and Glenna Jefferson.

Clara's top priority was love and care for her family. She leaves to cherish her memory of children, Kenneth (Teresa), Edgar (Diane), Doretha Ficklin and beloved Carolyn Wilson. She also leaves eight grandchildren: Derek Wilson, Denelle Wilson, Ryan, Sheena Wilson, Bridgette Magnon, Kim Eccles, Charles and James Ficklin; and her "darling little blessed angels" great-grandchildren: Lena, Khloe, Mikayla, Charlii, and MacKenzie, in addition, many nieces, nephews and friends to treasure her memory.

Clara's motto: We were put on this earth to help each other. AND SHE DID!