Clara Richardson Scarborough, 83, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026. A devoted wife, mother, educator, and community servant, Clara lived a life marked by an unwavering commitment to uplifting others—particularly young people searching for their place in the world. Born on July 23, 1942, in Wendell, North Carolina, Clara attended William M. Cooper High School, graduating in 1960. She briefly attended Bennett College in Greensboro before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology from North Carolina Central University in Durham in 1967. Driven by a passion for helping others find their purpose, she returned to NCCU and earned her Master of Arts degree in Career Counseling in 1974. Clara's career spanned more than two decades of dedicated public service in education, counseling, and community development. She began her professional journey as a Secretary/Receptionist with the National Cash Register Company, then served as a Teacher Assistant and Substitute Teacher for Durham City Schools. From 1967 through 1972, she worked as a Counselor and later Senior Counselor for GROW, INC. (Greater Raleigh Operations Worthwhile, Inc.), a Neighborhood Youth Corps Program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, where she guided and supported school dropouts toward education, job skills, and a better future. Following the completion of her master's degree, Clara served as an Internship Career Counselor at Meredith College in Raleigh and as an Intake and Assessment Counselor for the Durham-Orange Manpower Office (DOMO). From 1973 to 1974, she taught Fashion and directed the Charm School at Durham College, providing young women with personal development and professional skills. Between 1976 and 1979, she served as Director of the Extended School Day Alternative Program for Durham County Schools, working tirelessly to bring high school-age youth back into education. She concluded her career as an 8th Grade Junior High Counselor at Lowes Grove Junior High School within Durham County Schools, a position she held from 1979 to 1983. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Clara was known by all who knew her as a true fashionista — a woman of impeccable style, grace, and elegance who turned heads wherever she went. Her love of fashion was not merely personal; it was purposeful, and she used it to inspire confidence in the young women she mentored throughout her career. Her style earned her wider recognition in the 1960s-1970's when she was featured in Jet & Ebony magazine, a testament to her poise and presence that extended well beyond the classrooms and counseling offices of Durham. Throughout her career, Clara served as a consultant for Triangle Consultant Associates and volunteered generously with the YWCA, Operation Breakthrough, and Lincoln Community Health Center. She participated in Charrettes in: York, Pennsylvania; Durham, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh, North Carolina, contributing to community dialogue and solutions for youth. She also rendered seminars on group counseling and dynamics for the Neighborhood Youth Corps. Clara was a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the North Carolina Neighborhood Youth Corps Association, the National Association for Community Development, the National Association of Personnel Workers, the North Carolina Personnel and Guidance Association, and the American Personnel and Guidance Association. In her community, she was an active member of the YWCA, Young Volunteer Corps, Women's League, Daughters of Isis, St. Joseph's AME Church, The Smart Set, and last but certainly not least The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Clara is preceded in death by her father, David Richardson and her mother, Geneva Richardson Brown. Clara is survived by her son, J. C. “Scottie” Scarborough IV, her grandsons: Logan Matthew Scarborough and Samuel Johnathan Scarborough, her siblings: Elsie Richardson Carter, Severia “Rick” Richardson, Andre D. Richardson (Gilistine), Laverne Richardson, Nathaniel Richardson (Evangeline), Winifred Richardson (Joanne), Jacqueline Richardson Marriott, fmr Daughter-In-Law: Melodie Richardson Scarborough, Nephews: Ardarion Richardson (Shalonda), Andre S. Richardson, David Richardson (Leah), Phillip Shyllon, Nathaniel Richardson Jr., Cedric Richardson, James H. Carter Jr. (Brigit) Nieces: Saunja Coleman (Richard), Armaney Richardson Peterson (Charles), Patrice Andrews, Nicole Lodeum, Great Nephews: Isiah Wilson (Tara), Aiden Richardson, Andrew Richardson, Aaron Richardson, Prince Shyllon, Jayce Richardson, Dax Richardson, Christian Edwards, Great Nieces: Morgan Wilson, Jorjie Wilson, Harley Peterson, Avery Richardson, Ariana Richardson, Hendrix Peterson, Usha Richardson, Brooklyn Headley, Kennedy Coker (Kevin) Clara Richardson Scarborough touched countless lives through her decades of service, her quiet strength, and her deep belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all whose lives she enriched.

Now Streaming: The Memorial Service for Clara Richardson ScarboroughWe invite family and friends to join us in honoring and celebrating the life of Clara Richardson Scarborough. The memorial service is now being live streamed through St. Joseph AME Church Durham.To view the service, please use one of the following options:

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🌐 Website: St. Joseph AME Church – Durham, NCstjosephame.org