Clara Jo Claborn

Clara Jo Claborn, nee Pelphrey, was born January 21,
1939, in Paintsville, Kentucky, to the parents of James H.
Pelphrey, Jr. and Sue Elizabeth (Prather) Pelphrey. She
was reared in Kentucky and Ohio. After graduating from
High School, she continued her studies at Western
Kentucky State College. She attained a bachelor's degree
with a major in French and minors in Music and Art,
graduating magna cum laude.
While pursuing her degree at Western Kentucky State
College, Clara Jo was active in student events and those
of her community. She was director of the Baptist Student
Union choir, sang in the choir of the Bowling Green First
Baptist Church and practiced organ playing under the
beloved "Miss Nell," the church organist. She had a
beautiful soprano voice which she used while singing in
the church choir, directing the BSU choir, directing youth
choirs,and singing at weddings.
In her junior year in college, she met Gilbert Lawayne
Claborn, whom she married as she began her senior year
at Western. Their first child, James, was born soon after
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In her junior year in college, she met Gilbert Lawayne
Claborn, whom she married as she began her senior year
at Western. Their first child, James, was born soon after
Clara Jo received her bachelor's degree. After graduating,
she taught music for one year. Before the next school year
began, however, Clara Jo delivered their next child, a
daughter, Susan. Five tears later, after moving with her
husband and family to Louisville, she bore her third child,
a daughter, Cathy.
Clara Jo was beautiful, talented, and hard working, She
managed her family while teaching, then working as a
bank cashier. Later in life, she was able to pursue some
of her personal pleasures in the creation of art. She was
more than adept at painting, and, once introduced to it,
found her greatest pleasure in the creation of ceramics.
For the seven or eight years she was involved in it, she
said it was the most pleasurable thing she ever did. She
created dozens of busts, plaques, and other ceramic
pieces. Another of her great pleasures was traveling,
which she did with her husband and her husband's sister,
Glenda. She was an avid shopper and a prolific reader.
Her beautiful smile reflected her pleasure in life!
pieces. Another of her great pleasures was traveling,
which she did with her husband and her husband's sister,
Glenda. She was an avid shopper and a prolific reader.
Her beautiful smile reflected her pleasure in life!
Clara Jo died a peaceful death on July 14, 2025, as I held
her hand. She was preceded in death by her parents,
James and Sue Pelphrey, and her sister, Sue Loraine. She
is survived by her husband, Gilbert, of Homewood,
Alabama, her son, James and his wife,
Jeannette, of Irondale, Alabama, and two daughters,
Susan, of Trussville, Alabama, and Cathy, who provides a
home for Gilbert and lives with her husband, Jim Green, in
Homewood.
While Clara Jo will be sorely missed, she was beautiful
and created much beauty for us to enjoy. The greatest and
most beautiful of those treasures are her three children,
nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her art
is still here for us to enjoy, but her smile and her beauty
will be remembered for our lifetimes.