Funeral services for Clara Nichols Vick, 85, of Gilbert will be held at 10 am Monday, June 17, at First Baptist Church of Gilbert with Bro. Bubba Ezell officiating. Interment will follow at Providence Memorial Cemetery in Winnsboro under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 16, from 5-8 pm at the church. Pallbearers will be Alan Grubbs, Randy Montgomery, Josh Conard, Quinon Beebe, Josh Barfield, and Carey Joe Ellerbe. Honorary pallbearers will be Ethan Vick and Hunter Williams.

Clara was born March 2, 1934, and went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, June 14, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Vick; her parents, Loddis and Allie Mae Nichols; her sisters, Lucille Thompson and Bobbie Dell Nichols, and her brothers-in-law, James Thompson, Charles Terry, and A J Vick.

She is survived by her sister, Marguerite Terry of College Station, TX; sister-in-law, Evelyn Vick of Gilbert; four children, Sheila Stark of West Monroe, Howard Vick and wife Jamye of Rayville, Regina Grubbs and husband Billy of Bossier City, and Alvie Vick of Gilbert; seven grandchildren, Christina Pippins of Sterlington, Tori Donnell and fianc Josh Conard of Chase, Jordan Barfield and husband Josh of Gilbert, Brent Webb and wife Tori of Rayville, Alan Grubbs and wife Rachel of Cabot, AR, Melanie Beebe and husband Quinon of Calhoun, and Ethan Vick and wife Julia of Gilbert. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clara was born in Winnsboro, LA and lived all of her life in Franklin and Richland parishes. Born to sharecroppers, she and her sisters grew up working in the fields with their parents, planting, raising, and picking cotton for a living. After graduating from Gilbert High School, she worked for L.S. Gravelle and Son in Winnsboro. In 1956, she married Cecil Vick, with whom she had four children. Cecil passed away in 1969, leaving Clara to bring up their children on her own. She was fortunate to live in a town and a time when friends, neighbors, and family in the community helped one another. Amid her difficulties, Clara always maintained a positive attitude and a strong faith in the Lord.

Clara worked for the State of Louisiana from the early 1970s until her retirement in 1994. Her primary position was as clerical supervisor for the Franklin Parish Health Unit.

Clara played a significant role in the upbringing of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She was also very close to her sisters, visiting with them at least weekly whether in person or by phone.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gilbert, having joined as a teenager. Her love of God and her strong faith in Him were evident to all who knew her. Clara brought up her children in the church and taught them to know and love the Lord. Her faith in her merciful, loving God carried her throughout her life, especially as she fought her long battle with Parkinsons disease. Her children and grandchildren are familiar with an expression that Clara used often and demonstrated throughout her life: "It doesnt matter what happens to you. Its how you react that makes the difference."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.