Clara Sue Arnold
April 20, 1946 - July 2, 2023
Lubbock, Texas - Clara 'Sue' Arnold of Lubbock, Texas, passed peacefully in her home on July 2, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Sue was born on April 20, 1946 in Wake County, NC. After graduation from Wakelon High School in Zebulon, NC, she received a Vocal Performance degree from Campbell University. She received a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois, studying with John Wustman, internationally acclaimed coach/accompanist. Other teachers included William Warfield, Elisabeth Schwartzkopf, Brigitte Fassbaender and Pierre Bernac. Sue's numerous concert appearances included performances with Robert Shaw, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copeland as well as many solo and opera performances.
Sue was a member of the choir at The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama in NC, Director of Evening Programs at Camp Seafarer, Arapahoe, NC, and was a musician at Camp Rio Blanco in Crosbyton, TX. To the campers, she was affectionately known as "Looney Tunes".
She was a member of the voice faculty in the School of Music at Texas Tech University from 1971 until her retirement in 2010. She taught studio voice, vocal literature and vocal pedagogy at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Sue did post-graduate work toward a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance at Illinois in 1974-1975. Her most distinguished former student is the internationally acclaimed Metropolitan Opera star, Mezzo-Soprano, Susan Graham.
Sue was the chancel choir director, cantor and composer at Christ the King Cathedral in Lubbock, Texas from 1980 to 2023. Her compositions of choral music for the liturgy became integral to the worship of the people of the Diocese of Lubbock. In her words, "My legacy is my music, written to the glory of God."
Sue was preceded in death by her parents; Johnsey Perry Arnold & Virginia Dare Clark Arnold of Zebulon, NC; and her brother-in-law, Clifton Yates House, of Knightdale, NC. Sue is survived by an adopted daughter, Elizabeth St. Claire Wade, of Daytona, FL; a sister, Nancy Arnold House, of Knightdale, NC; nephew, Eric (Jessica) House, of Zebulon, NC; niece, Kristie (Andrew) House Lawrence, of Smithfield, NC; great-nephew, Vance Yates Lawrence, of Smithfield, NC; step-nephew, Kaleb Montgomery Tedder, of Wilson, NC; and numerous cousins in the Arnold and Clark families of North Carolina.
The family wishes to thank Elizabeth Baiza for her amazing job as primary caregiver from September 2022, which allowed Sue to remain in her home during her illness: special friends; Jennifer Wampler Emert and Yolanda Carrizalez, for their love and care; the compassionate staff and congregation of Christ the King Cathedral of Lubbock for their love and support during her journey; and Hospice of Lubbock for their care and medical guidance after her release from the hospital in February 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Choral Scholarship Fund of Christ the King Cathedral Lubbock or The Haven Animal Rescue, Lubbock, TX.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 15th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Cathedral, 4011 54th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413.
CTKCATHEDRAL.ORG
A local Memorial Service is being planned for our NC family and friends very soon.

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Published by The News & Observer on Jul. 16, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Clara Arnold

17 Entries

Daniel Presas-Clement

October 3, 2023

It was a privilege to hear Ms. Arnold sing many times in the early to mid 1990's. She stood as a bellwether of technique, grace, simplicity, and courage to all of us. In the late 1990's I enjoyed a summer course of studio lessons with Sue. She taught me to trust my voice and my instincts, and to sing simply without adding anything to or subtracting anything from what was already there. There was such a calm and steadfastness about her. She obviously knew the voice of the Lord and followed it. It is a blessing to know that she was loved and well cared for.

"{11} ... but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice...." I Kings 19

Roger Cecil Perry

July 11, 2023

She is my 1st cousin and she is in my prayers as well as her family. I sadly will not be able to attend the service.

Grace Rogers

July 11, 2023

Sue and her beautiful voice were a gift to her students and to all of Lubbock who appreciate music. Rest in peace and in the Light of God. I count myself as one of your many admirers.