Clara Lee Vantrease age 87 of Alexandria, died Tuesday evening, June 23, 2026 at The Webb House in Smithville. Born March 11, 1939 in Sykes, TN, she was the daughter of the late Hubert Winfree and Minnie Clara Driver Winfree and was preceded in death by her husband, James Doil (J.D.) Vantrease; son-in-law, Tex Campbell. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Odell Winfree and sisters, LeeEtt Anderson and Novella Wilkerson.

Clara was a graduate of Gordonsville High School and a long time member of Upper Helton Baptist Church. She formerly operated Clara's Dairy Mart in Alexandria and served as City Clerk for the City of Alexandria and was elected as the first woman Mayor for the City of Alexandria.

Clara is survived by her daughters, Carol Tate and her husband, Bill of Sparta and Vivian Campbell of Alexandria; granddaughters, Lacy (Bradley) Hall of Alexandria and Tera (Kyle) Smith of Lufkin, Texas; great grandchildren, Mia and Noah Hall.

Funeral services will be at Noon Friday, June 26, 2026 at Upper Helton Baptist Church, with Bro. David Revelle officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 2-8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. till service time on Friday. Pallbearers, Joey Agee, Cody Randolph, Bradley Hall, Mike Evans, David Turner, Matthew Pitt.  Interment will follow at Hunter Memorial Park in Watertown.