Nola Bernice Gross Clow
January 27, 2017
Obituaries
Nola Bernice Gross Clow
Nola Bernice Gross Clow, of Santa Paula, California passed away peacefully on January 20, 2012 in Santa Paula of a tired heart, but one so filled with love of family and the Lord.
Nola was born in Piney Flats, Tennessee to Rachel Dae Rutledge Gross and Wilfred Laird Gross on Valentine’s Day, 1920. She was born in the family’s country home near the Smokey Mountains. It was the home that her grandfather built and where her father had been born, in 1896. She was the oldest of seven children.
She attended Mary Hughes High School, in Piney Flats, Tenn. and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from East Tennessee State College. She moved to North Hollywood and her first job was as a comptometrist at General Motors in Van Nuys. She continued her education at UCLA and received her Teaching Certificate. Later in life, she obtained her Master’s Degree from California Lutheran University. Nola moved to Santa Paula after receiving a job offer to teach at Briggs School in Santa Paula. Nola taught hundreds of students in the Briggs School District for forty years. She loved to teach and share. She had a caring heart, strict ways, and beautiful cursive penmanship.
It was in Santa Paula where she met her future husband, Monte Donald Clow. They married on April 10, 1954. Together, they worked hard on the family farm. Nola loved to cook, bake, can fruits, and vegetables, tend her garden and chickens, sew and work on ceramics. She hosted a large family Thanksgiving party for many years. Her kitchen was the heart of her home.
Nola attended the Methodist Church in Santa Paula and later in life faithfully attended Ventura Missionary Church. She was a solid part of the Ambassador’s class. The highlight of her week was the Church service and Sunday School.
Nola and Monte were blessed with one son, Roger. She loved, guided and supported him with all his activities. Nola was a wonderful mother-in-law and grandmother. Her grandkids lived so close that she was fortunate enough to delight in their activities daily. The Godly wisdom she shared and love she gave will always be remembered and cherished by her family.
Nola always wanted to help someone, whether it be advice, or a listening ear. She was a good neighbor and friend to all.
Nola traveled in later years and enjoyed seeing a lot of God’s creation in the USA, Canada, Australia, China and Ireland.
Nola was preceded in death by her husband, Monte Donald Clow, brothers Donald and George Gross, sisters Virginia Petz and Dorothy Gibson.
Nola is survived by her son Roger Donald Clow, daughter-in-law Sheila Ann Clow, grandson Brian Robert Clow, and granddaughter Colleen Grace Clow. She is also survived by her brothers Ward and Dan Gross, sisters-in-law, Miriam, Mary Ruth, Carol, and Marcee Gross, nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jon Schrock and his staff, for his loving care and long friendship. They also want to thank her loving caregivers, Mary Montelongo, Erika Jacoba, and Nora Rivera.
Details of Nola’s Celebration of Life Service will be upcoming in February/March.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.
