Clara “Neal” O’Neal Nation, 91, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She was born December 11, 1934 in McLean County, Kentucky to the late Leslie “Bill” Martin and Mabel Hemingway Martin. Neal graduated from Daviess County High School in 1953 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a longtime member of First General Baptist Church where in the early years, she played the piano. Neal was active in the missionary society, taking mission trips to Honduras. Neal and G.W. were married in Dixon, Kentucky by her namesake, Rev. Neal Pearcy, on December 24, 1952. Neal traveled with friends and family to all 50 states and 12 countries. She retired from Premium Allied Tool. Neal was active in her children’s school activities and PTA and participated in the Gideon Auxiliary and Eastern Star (Goel Chapter).
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Terri Nation; and a granddaughter-in-law, Ami Yeiser.
She is survived by her faithful and loving husband of 73 years, G.W. Nation; son, Donald Martin Nation (Terri); two daughters, Ruth Ann Yeiser (Bob) and Gina Lynne Cripps (Steve); seven grandchildren, Traci Weedman (Perry), Aaron Neal Yeiser (Ami), Brooke Wise (Matt), Brandon Yeiser (Courtney), Lindsey Purcell (Matthew), Allie O’Neal Lindow (Derrick), and Edie Webb (Tyler); 15 great-grandchildren, MacKenzie Skaggs (Cody), Courtney Spalding (John), Hagan Yeiser (Paige), Logan Weedman (Ally), Hope Yeiser, Maddy Purcell, Hadli Yeiser, Nolan Wise, Jackson Purcell, Lucy Wise, Ezra Lindow, Lincoln Yeiser, Owen Lindow, Henry Yeiser, and Dottie Webb; three great-great-grandchildren, Asher and Denver Skaggs and Joseph Yeiser; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Vaught and Nell Nation; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory officiated by Rev. Steve Cripps and Rev. Tim Hall. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation is from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 1133, Owensboro, KY 42302.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Owensboro Health, especially nurses Caleb and Misty.