The Shadow
Clara Jean
McCulley
Clara Jean McCulley, age 75, of Covington, Virginia went to be with the Lord on May 9, 2025, at LewisGale Medical Center, Salem.
She was born March 7, 1950, in Clifton Forge, Virginia to the late Jasper Monroe McCulley, Sr. and Clara Belle Windsor. She worked at Boy’s Home in Covington and Jimmy’s Grill in Petersburg. Clara had an outgoing, entertaining sense of humor that brought light and laughter to those around her. A hardworking and dedicated mother and grandmother, she gave her all to her family, friends and beloved animals. She found peace and happiness in the simple pleasures of life-listening to music, camping, playing horseshoes, spending time at the river, and taking long rides through the mountains. Her warmth, spirit, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Danny McCulley and Michael McCulley; two sisters, Nancy Nicely and Becky Ramsey; two aunts, Phyllis McCulley and Catherine Windsor; and one uncle, Odell McCulley.
She is survived by two daughters, Victoria “Vicky” Simmons Thompson (Tommy) of Lynchburg, Tonja Simmons Boydstun (Tim White) of Chester; a sister, Karen Bowles of Covington; two brothers, Jasper McCulley, Jr. of Clifton Forge and Eddie McCulley of Covington; three grandsons, Cody Boydstun, Aedan Thompson and Sean Thompson; her life partner of 19 years, Paul Lavendar of Covington; Paul’s daughters, Lisa Davenport and Terry Cool; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Norma and Tony Nicely, Jonathan and Alex Gwin for their support, and kindness.
She will be forever in our hearts.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2:00PM in the Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Bill Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Tommy Thompson, Aedan Thompson, Tim White, Tony Nicely, Ron Frashure, Gary Vance and Sean Thompson. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at Nicely Funeral Home.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling the arrangements.
