Clara Sissel

January 11, 2021, at the age of 86, our mother, Clara Ilene Storms Sissel, received her heavenly reward.

She was born May 9, 1934 on a farm in rural Hugoton, Kansas.  Mom will be remembered by many as the owner of Ba’ Lene’s Dress Shop “Open & Hopen” from 1968 to 1994.  She enjoyed dressing her ladies because she was such a people person.  Mom just couldn’t retire, so she had part-time jobs at Berggren’s Flowers, Frontier Galleries, Chick-fil-A for Rusty and Heather Dunn.  She also volunteered at her church, Crossroads Fellowship.  Being at church gave mom such joy as she was busy serving others and dove into the Word.

If you were with her very long, a few minutes maybe, she would be sure you knew her Lord.  Travel kept her going as she enjoyed visiting other states in the U.S. – all but 5.  Foreign mission trips took her to Africa and France with Temple Baptist Church.  One highlight was being in the Holy Land on her 50th birthday.  Sisters Helen and Alice went with mom on cruises, road trips, and even to Australia.

Soldiers and love of her country led mom to send care packages to deployed military.  Mom shopped and raised money, packed and mailed over 1,100 boxes from 2002 to 2016.  This was her way of serving those who serve our country.  Mom said she looked forward to the day she would be reunited with so many special friends and family members.

She will be surrounded at Heaven’s gate by her parents, Irvin and Hattie Storms; by infant son, Tony Ercell Sissel; brothers, George, Robert and Ralph Storms; and sisters, Helen, Clemmie, Pearl, Alice and Joyce Ann.

Left to carry on her legacy is a family she dearly loved: son, Craig Sissel and his wife Linda of Rockwall, Texas; daughter, Nanette Phillips and husband Lanny of Odessa, Texas; son, Lonnie Sissel and wife Lana of Odessa, Texas; grandchildren, Ryan Bullard and wife Ashlea, Lucas Elam and wife Elise, Stefani Moore and husband Cody, Travis Sissel and wife Brittany, Hunter Phillips and wife Alicia, Landon Sissel and Aimee, and Lauren Sissel; as well as great grandchildren, Dawson, Parker and Madeline Bullard, Braxton and Finley Moore, Kingston and Hawkins Elam, and Kamryn Sissel.

We want to thank all of our sweet friends for all their care and love.

Celebration Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Crossroads Fellowship with Pastor David Newton officiating.  Please wear your brightest, sparkly outfits!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Crossroads Fellowship or military charity of your choice.