Clara McGinnis, Executive Director
Born in McComb, Mississippi, Clara is the second of eight children. God, Hope, Righteousness and Love were major core Christian values that were instilled in her by her parents and her paternal grandfather who served as a deacon of their church.
As a young child, Clara witnessed the many social injustices while growing up in Mississippi. Simply stated, Mississippi was a very difficult place to live. “I remember during our bus ride to school while passing the white school, eggs were thrown at our school bus.” Family support made a big difference during those times. Having been brought up with those core Christian values, Clara practiced forgiveness. She learned not to hate or be bitter about the events that were occurring around her.
Independent and resourceful are accurate descriptions of Clara. Her first job was taking in ironing where she would receive $3 to $5 dollars for a whole pillowcase full of clothing, and at the age of fifteen, she began cleaning houses. Upon graduating from high school, Clara attended Junior College in Prentiss, Mississippi; however, constantly desiring self-improvement, Clara was influenced by a recruiter to expand her horizon. She relocated to Dallas where she worked during the day as a waitress with Neiman Marcus, and she attended college at night.
Eventually, Clara began working for what was then ARCO, although the company’s name changed many times, but she remained there for 35 years. Clara had one son, whom she unfortunately lost as the result of an accident when he was 17. Clara says that God has guided her throughout her life, and she knows that it is His amazing grace that has helped her through the tough times, and it continues to bring her through each day.
After Clara retired, Clara began her dream of opening an after-school program and this year will be the second year to have a summer camp at the Alan E. Sims recreation center. She is working on that dream as well as other ways to make her town an even better place to live.
Clara doesn’t believe in giving up, no matter how tough it gets. She will always remember her Grandmother Lizzie who taught her that “Life will knock you down, but make sure you get up.”
As a young child, Clara witnessed the many social injustices while growing up in Mississippi. Simply stated, Mississippi was a very difficult place to live. “I remember during our bus ride to school while passing the white school, eggs were thrown at our school bus.” Family support made a big difference during those times. Having been brought up with those core Christian values, Clara practiced forgiveness. She learned not to hate or be bitter about the events that were occurring around her.
Independent and resourceful are accurate descriptions of Clara. Her first job was taking in ironing where she would receive $3 to $5 dollars for a whole pillowcase full of clothing, and at the age of fifteen, she began cleaning houses. Upon graduating from high school, Clara attended Junior College in Prentiss, Mississippi; however, constantly desiring self-improvement, Clara was influenced by a recruiter to expand her horizon. She relocated to Dallas where she worked during the day as a waitress with Neiman Marcus, and she attended college at night.
Eventually, Clara began working for what was then ARCO, although the company’s name changed many times, but she remained there for 35 years. Clara had one son, whom she unfortunately lost as the result of an accident when he was 17. Clara says that God has guided her throughout her life, and she knows that it is His amazing grace that has helped her through the tough times, and it continues to bring her through each day.
After Clara retired, Clara began her dream of opening an after-school program and this year will be the second year to have a summer camp at the Alan E. Sims recreation center. She is working on that dream as well as other ways to make her town an even better place to live.
Clara doesn’t believe in giving up, no matter how tough it gets. She will always remember her Grandmother Lizzie who taught her that “Life will knock you down, but make sure you get up.”