Clara Lee Hilemon, age 80, of the Low Gap Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 8th, 2025, passing peacefully at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of Claude and Pearl McMahan Harris. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Bill Harris; brother-in-law, Benny Sparks; nephew, Chris Sparks; and niece, Sharon Raynsford.
From her earliest days, Clara was no stranger to hard work. As a child, she spent springtimes out in the fields with her sister, Janice, setting tobacco. What always felt like long, tiring days became treasured memories for the both of them, along with the bonds formed with her brother, Bill, and sisters, Sue and Louise, that remained unbroken throughout her life. In her younger years, she loved spending her free time outdoors, golfing and fishing. She carried her strong work ethic into her working years at Glen Raven Mills. But her life was never just about work. She was a woman of faith and member of Low Gap Freewill Baptist Church, where her faith grounded her and gave her peace throughout her life.
But above all, she loved her family deeply. Her life centered around those she loved the most and she gave them her love, her time, and her heart who include her loving husband of 61 years, Dale Hilemon; two sons: Maurice Hilemon (Sandy) of the Low Gap Community, and Mike Hilemon (Jenelle) of Canton, GA; four grandchildren: Erika Pipkin (John), Laura Leonard (Michael), Nathan Hilemon (Savannah), and Landon Hilemon; eight great-grandchildren: Hadley Hilemon, Charleigh, Shiloh, Shianne, Braun and Brody Pipkin, and Laney and Lincoln Leonard; three sisters: Sue Holland (Marvin) of Bolens Creek, Janice Wright (Danny) of Concord, and Louise Davis (Doug) of Old Fort; and three sisters-in-law: Peggy Harris of Bee Branch, Gail Herron of Old Fort, and Judy Sparks of Nebo.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 14th at Low Gap Freewill Baptist Church. Rev. Roger Thompson and Rev. Blaine Whitson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Penland Cemetery on Powell Road. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the services at the church.
The family would like to send special thanks to the nurses and CNAs of Compassionate Care WNC for the wonderful care given to Clara. Memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
