Clara Briley

Clara May Briley was born May 23, 1932 in Boulder, Wyoming, the daughter of Clarence and Jennie Byrd Merrell and passed from this life January 29, 2021 in Oklahoma City.  Kenneth Briley was sent to Wyoming for on the job training and it was there he met Clara and they were married January 18, 1949.   They came to Ringwood to live and raise their family.

She had worked at Richard’s Grocery in Ringwood, the Harvest House Café in Meno and at the Moss Café in Ringwood.  She was also a relief mail carrier for Ringwood Post Office.  Clara was a good cook and when she and her family went to the lake she took enough food to feed an army.  Clara always made herself available to take care of her grandchildren.  After Kenneth retired they loved to travel and went on many cruises.  Some of the cruises included all the children and grandchildren.  She was a devout member of Ringwood First Baptist Church.  She could be called a Charter Member because she and Kenneth helped build this church.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; two brothers, Charlie Merrell and Warren Merrell; her daughter, Freda Briley; her son, Tony Briley.

She is survived by her son, Buddy Briley of Ringwood; grandson, Grady Briley and wife, Linzie and their children, Kennes and Raiden all of Hennessey; granddaughter, Kelli Joyce and husband, Andrew “Drew” of Ferndale, Washington.  Also surviving are Tony's children and their families, granddaughter, Margaret Briley of Oklahoma City with Daniel Payne and her children, Gage and Grayson McElhaney and granddaughter, Sarah Brimm of Lawton and her children, Morgan Abbott, Chase Brimm and Kelbie Brimm.

Graveside service for Clara May will be Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery south of Ringwood.  There will be no viewing.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.