Clara Lee Wheaton was born on February 15, 1949, in Okemah, Oklahoma to Nathaniel Wheaton and Katherine (Holley) Wheaton.

Clara was the tenth child of fourteen children. As a child, she attended Bells Chapel Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Clara started her elementary education at Sand Creek Elementary. She graduated from Okemah High School in May of 1968.

After a short stay in Wichita, Kansas, she relocated to California to take advantage of employment opportunities. She worked for Los Angeles County when she met and married Verland M. Cross. They had three children together and relocated to Magnolia, Arkansas. Around 1985, Clara and her children moved to Wichita, Kansas, and, ultimately, she began her career in aircraft manufacturing from which she retired.

She loved to cook for her family - immediate and extended. There was always room at her table. She was known to give whenever she could and was willing to help anyone in need. She loved to laugh and was known for her practical jokes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Nathanel and Katherine Wheaton, and the following brothers and sisters: Ethel Wheaton, Minnie Wheaton, Nathaniel Wheaton, Jr., Gene Wheaton, Rozell Wheaton, Jimmy Lee Wheaton, and Leroy Wheaton.

She leaves to celebrate her life her children: Vel Cross, Verland Cross (wife: Delica), VyTara Simmons (husband: David); her grandchildren: Johnathan Watley, Dy'land Cross, Taryn Cross, Tristen Cross and Selah Simmons, and great granddaughter: Amira Whatley; Surviving siblings: Ceolia Wheaton, Jimmy Wheaton, L.T. Wheaton, Lucy Daniels, Pearle Blanche, Sandra Dale (husband: Daniel), and Cordell Wheaton (wife: Brenda). She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.