Clara Violet Spangler Sutphin, age 91, of Laurel Fork, VA. passed away peacefully Dec. 26, 2025 at Heritage Hall Laurel Meadows. Ms. Sutphin was born in Laurel Fork, to the late Claude Calvin and Mandy Webb Spangler. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Huston Sutphin, and 17 siblings, Hazel, Recie, Elsie, Mattie, Mary, Ruth, Garland, Arnold, Irene, Annie, Marvin, JC, Marie, Don, Vivian, Steve, Calvin. Survivors include a daughter, Vickie Sutphin Boyd and husband Stacy of Laurel Fork, grandson, Jared Boyd of Floyd, VA., and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Clara never met a stranger. She was always looking for someone to socialize with. In her early years she and her husband (Huston) ran several little country stores in the surrounding area of Laurel Fork. Clara also worked in Hillsville for many years as a server at the Hillsville Diner and the lunch counter at the Carroll Drug. Her last working years were spent at Spencers Inc. out on the Blue Ridge Parkway where she worked beside and made many friends before the plant closed.

Enjoying music was a favorite pastime and like many of her siblings, she had music in her feet. She would step one off anytime she got the chance. Clara got the chance to travel alongside her close friend Peggy Nester. They would take bus tours and attend many Bluegrass music festivals. Many may have met Clara through music somewhere. She also loved to sing and play guitar when needed. Close to her retirement years she joined up with her brother, Arnold Spangler and The Laurel Fork Travelers to play festivals and they also recorded a few CDs.

Clara was a church member at Tory Creek Baptist and was active in senior citizens clubs in Laurel Fork and Hillsville VA, the Laurel Fork Historical Group and the Carroll County Board of Supervisors for Seniors, before she had to move to Laurel Meadows in Laurel Fork. Thanks to all the H.H.L.M. staff members and Medi-Hospice, for their care during her last days. IN lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blue Cow Arts c/o Handmade Music School 110 Talleys Alley, Floyd, VA 24091 with Handmade Music School in the memo or by visiting https://handmademusicschool.org/. The donations will aide her grandson, Jared Boyd and others, in teaching at the Handmade Music School, where the tradition of music, instilled in Jared by his grandmother, is passed on to others.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Thanks to Vaughan-Guynn McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, for their service.

Please enjoy a memorial video of Clara by clicking the link below.

https://youtu.be/JGGCmmKGGhA