Clara Mae Walker Beauchamp joined her Savior in Heaven on December 10, 2021, at the age of 89.

Clara was born in Midland, Texas on March 5, 1932, to James "Bud" Walker and Ivy Bell Walker (nee Campbell). The oldest of four children, Clara dedicated her life to loving and serving the Lord, her family, and her community.

She graduated from Abilene High School in 1950 and received a BS in Nursing from Hardin-Simmons University in 1954. It was during nursing school, on her psychiatric rotation at the San Antonio State Hospital, that she met a young Vocational Counselor and the love of her life, Jerry Jay Beauchamp, whom she married on September 18, 1954. Soon after, Jerry and Clara started their family which grew to include 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Clara's impressive nursing career began in the Emergency Room at Downtown Baptist Hospital in San Antonio. From there she transitioned into a career as a school nurse, first for SAISD, and then for ECISD. It was at East Central where she would eventually become the Coordinator of Health Services. She even went back to school to obtain a teaching certificate so that she could develop and lead the Health Occupation Program, which marked the beginning of the careers of too many medical professionals to count. They know her as "Ms. B."

Clara's dedication to health care and to her community went far beyond the classroom and the nurse's office. For years she organized an annual Health Fair which provided essential preventive health care and education to the community. She served in numerous capacities for dozens of health care organizations, including local chapters of the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Texas Association of School Nurses. Clara also worked tirelessly to help pass legislation affecting public health, nursing, public education, child abuse, and sex education, often testifying before Congressional Committees. She was a member of the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Legislative Ladies, and the Southeast Business and Professional Women Club, and in 1990, Clara received the Yellow Rose of Texas Award from Governor Bill Clements in recognition of her exceptional service to the community.

All of these accomplishments aside, Clara's heart was first and foremost dedicated to serving the Lord. She was a member of multiple churches during her life, most recently the First Baptist Church of San Antonio. She was a lifelong active member of the Women's Missionary Union and longtime leader of the Girls in Action and Acteen organizations, which are devoted to ministry through service. Clara often led groups on mission trips to Mexico and border regions to provide necessary healthcare and immunizations. She was also active in mission work at the Battered Women's Shelter, Teen House, children's shelters, homeless shelters, prisons and so many others. She adopted grandparents at local nursing homes and cottages at the Baptist Children's Home. Wherever there were people in need, Clara was always there.

In addition to helping so many people throughout her life, you could always count on Clara to host a fancy party. Whether it was her beloved Bunco Club, of which she was a founding member in 1960, or the dozens of bridal and baby showers she hosted over the years, every gathering was worthy of a 1950's Good Housekeeping cover shoot. Nothing on earth could make her leave home without matching shoes, nails and purse, and perfectly coiffed hair. Often imitated but never duplicated, she was an inspiration to many. She was the epitome of class and grace.

Clara (Meme) was the funniest, most loving, caring, and beautiful – she never had a wrinkle! – mother and grandmother, not just to her own family, but to anyone who needed her. She loved jokes but was hilariously terrible at retelling them, and she kept the family in stitches with wild stories from her days in school and the ER. She was the ultimate mother and grandmother of a big family who continues her tradition of love, God, family, and working to perhaps make the cover of Good Housekeeping. We are all blessed for having had her in our lives.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, parents, Bud and Ivy Walker, son, Joe Ross Beauchamp and daughter, Carla Sue Ward (Tim). She is survived by daughters, Sharon Shaw (Mark), Teri Chance (Jack), and Mary Ann Martinez (Paul), her brothers and sister, and the 26 most fortunate grandchildren and great grandchildren on earth.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28, from 5-8pm at Heritage Oaks Mortuary, 2502 South W.W. White Road, San Antonio, Texas 78222, and services will be held on Wednesday, December 29, at noon at First Baptist Church, 515 McCullough Avenue, of San Antonio, Texas 78215.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of San Antonio TV Ministries or the ECISD Foundation.