Claire Stokely, 55, of Beaumont, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016. She was born on October 10, 1960, in Kingsville, to Virginia Smith Runnels and Dr. William Runnels, PhD.

Claire graduated with honors from Forest Park High School in 1978. She attended Texas A&M for three years, transferring back to Lamar University where she graduated with a degree in elementary education. Claire taught at West Hardin Elementary School in Batson for seventeen years. She had to resign due to health problems.

She is survived by her sons, Joshua Steven Stokley and Jordan William Stokley; parents, Louise and Dr. William Chester Runnels, PhD; sisters, Carole Lein and her son, Zach, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Cristy Kaiser and her daughter, Katherine, and son, Dan, all of The Woodlands; brother, Clay Runnels and his wife, Emily and their daughters, Millicent and Madeline, and sons, Mabry, Merritt, and Manning, all of Johnson City, Tennessee.

Her kind, loving, caring, and patient responses to many years of health problems were admired by all who knew her. Claire was a member of Ridgewood Church of Christ and deeply loved by her church family. All of those whose lives she touched loved her and admired her for her strength and faith.

A gathering of Ms. Stokley’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Broussard’s, with Mr. Rick Walker, officiating. Her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, with Josh Stokley, Jordan Stokley, Zach Lein, Dan Kaiser, Todd Smith, Clay Runnels, Colby Sundgren, and Trent Walker,  serving as pallbearers.