"Miss Clara" Bussell

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm just along for the ride. Now, some people pass through this world quietly, and some people build it while nobody's watching. Miss Clara Bussell was the second kind.

Born September 6, 1902, she came into this world with West Texas ahead of her, and she spent just about every waking hour she had making something of it. On February 26, 1920, she joined the staff of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce. She was young, she was capable, and apparently she was exactly what that outfit needed, because she stayed.

Not just stayed. She became office manager, and she held that post for forty years. Forty years.

That's not a career, friends, that's a covenant. And here's the part that'll sit with you. Miss Clara didn't ease into retirement, didn't fade toward some quieter chapter.

She worked unselfishly through the day of her death, July 5, 1966. The marker doesn't dress that up, and neither will I. That's just what she did.

Her love for West Texas and her dedication to the ideals of the W.T.C.C. did much, the marker says, to develop regional progress. She devoted her life to making West Texas a better place to live. In 1967, she was recognized in the Outstanding Women of Texas series.

The land she gave so much to made sure her name got written down. Miss Clara Bussell. Still here.

What the marker says

(Sept. 6, 1902 - July 5, 1966) Joined staff, West Texas Chamber of Commerce Feb. 26, 1920; was office manager 40 years. Worked unselfishly through day of death. Her love for West Texas and dedication to W.T.C.C. ideals did much to develop regional progress. Devoted life to making West Texas a better place to live. Outstanding Women of Texas series, 1967.