Clara Geneva (Holt) Jensen

Mrs. Clara Geneva (Holt) Jensen, 101, of Bradyville, TN passed away on October 11, 2024. She was born in Bradyville, TN on June 15, 1923. Her parents were the late Dewey and Ava (Rogers) Holt. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Elmo Clinton Jensen, Sr and her devoted Pekinese dog, Buddy.

She is survived by her son, Bobby Scherer, stepson, Elmo Jensen, Jr., cousins and caretakers, James (Vicky) Jernigan of Bradyville, Shanelle (Glenn) Barrett of Murfreesboro, and Jenny Jernigan of Beechgrove, close friend, Barb Bowers, and a host of other relatives.

Growing up in rural Tennessee in the first quarter of the 20th Century came with many challenges and blessings. Clara made the best of the blessings and didn't let the challenges deter her. She was an only child, a woman, and lived in a poor rural area. Many of her contemporaries had to leave school to help their families on the farm. She was able to graduate Woodbury Central High School. He plan from there was to get trained in the secretarial field at the YWCA in Nashville. Scarcity of work drove many people from this area north to better opportunities. While she was finishing her training at the YWCA. Her parents moved to Michigan and found work at a mental hospital. Shortly after finishing the secretarial program, Clara moved to Michigan and got a job at the hospital with them. 

While settling into life there she met and married a veteran. They started a family and had a son. Life challenges presented themselves to her again and the marriage ended. She kept busy working and raising her son. Her parents loved the fact they had a boy in the family and proceeded to spoil him rotten. He was the only boy in the neighborhood with a pony. Although, it had to be kept in a small lot behind their house. As an only child too, Bobby got spoiled at home by Clara as well. He had her wrapped around his finger and made sure he got whatever he wanted.

In her off time, she picked up an unconventional hobby for a woman, golf. Apparently, many other women enjoyed playing a round when they had time. She and some of her close friends competed and won some tournaments. They jokingly referred to themselves as the "Happy Hookers". Clara was an animal lover and enjoyed the companionship of a dog throughout her life. The dogs did give her great joy and affection but she longed for the love and companionship of a man. It was at this point she met another WW2 veteran, Elmo. They married and set up housekeeping in Westland, Michigan.

Clara decided to change jobs and landed a job as a secretary with the judicial system and stayed until retirement. With all of the challenges, she didn't forget where her blessings came from. She planted her faith firmly in God and made church a regular part of her life. Coming from the Bible belt she was familiar with the Church of Christ and found a congregation to call her church family in Michigan. 

After Elmo's passing, her health began to take a turn for the worse. She was diagnosed with dementia. She and her son, Bobby lived together. Unfortunately, neither of them was very good at taking care of themselves or each other. Some of her extended family back in Tennessee who stepped up to help. She came full circle back to her roots in Bradyville. Her cousins took her in and made sure she was loved and cared for in the final years of her life. God blessed her to spend more than a century in this world. Starting and finishing her life in Tennessee. He had a purpose for her and now she has a home with Him.

The family will hold a private service to lay her to rest. Those who wish may share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.