Clara A. Kimbriel

Clara Kimbriel passed away on December 16, 2017 a few days short of her 85th birthday.

Clara Anne (Alcamo) Kimbriel was born on December 24, 1932 in Baltimore, Maryland to Vincent and Pietra Alcamo.  She was the youngest of five and the only daughter.  She joined brothers Joe, Tony, Lou and Frank.  Clara was the daughter of Italian immigrants who made an arranged marriage work beautifully.  Clara was favored among her older brothers who watched over her.  She was the apple of her father’s eye.

In (1952), Clara attended a USO dance with a friend one evening where she met a handsome soldier, Jim Kimbriel.  They fell deeply in love and were married a few short months later on Valentine’s Day (1953).  Clara left her job as a legal secretary and moved with Jim to Texas.  Jim and Clara welcomed their son James Jay in 1954, followed by Debra Lynn in 1956, then in 1958 the twins Brenda Joye and Teresa Marie.  Rhonda Sue followed in 1962 and their family was completed with the birth of Thomas Kevin in 1965.  Clara enjoyed a full life raising children and keeping track of her husband.  Clara would tell you that being married to the fun-loving “big donut" was both the greatest joy and the biggest challenge of her life.

Clara spent 40+ years working for Pittman and Davis where she became quite an institution.  Her colleagues and clients would often stop in just to chat with her.  Clara had a near photographic memory and never forgot a face or a name and always had a kind word to say to anyone who walked through the door.   Members of the family have met folks all over the country who knew Clara as the face of Pittman and Davis, and considered her a friend.

Clara will be remembered for her incredible intelligence, her endless kindness, her selflessness, and her all-encompassing love for her family.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  Everyone who had the honor of knowing Clara was made better for having met her.

Clara and Jim raised six children of their own, and were blessed with 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren that eventually followed. Her children remember being able to whisper for her when they were afraid, in the middle of the night and her unfailing ability to hear, and respond with love and caring.  Her Grandchildren remember the sheer joy on her face whenever she saw them.

Clara is survived by her loving husband Jim, her children, Jay (Heather), Debbie (Lucky), Brenda (Rich), Teresa, Rhonda, and Tom (Colleen).  Her grandchildren: David (Blanca), Andrea, Jeramie (Renee), Katy (Tommy), Kristine (Jeremy), Richard (Ariel), Jake (Ashley), Nathan (Joy), Casey, Kelly (Brian), Chris (Melissa) and Tyler (Rachel).  Her great-grandchildren: Richelle Alexa, Graham, Mitchell, William, Marshall, Siri, O'Reilly, Dixon, Kaylee, Odette, and Courtnae.  She is survived by her sisters-in-law Christina Alcamo, Sandra Hulver, and Barbara Jordan and brother-in-law, John Kimbriel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Pietra Alcamo, her brothers Joe, Tony, Lou and Frank, and her son-in-law, Guy Ehrlick.

Visitation will be held Tuesday December 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home 710 N. Ed Carey Harlingen, TX 78550

Funeral will be held Wednesday at 4:00 pm at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home 710 N. Ed Carey Harlingen, TX 78550.

The family is requesting that in lieu flowers, donations be made to:  The Ronald Mc Donald House, 1720 Treasure Hills Blvd, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or The Sunny Glenn Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, Texas 78586.