Clara Jo Picarella, 79, formerly of Festus, died Sept. 30, 2020 at Autumn Ridge Assisted Living in Herculaneum. Mrs. Picarella was a home economics teacher at Crystal City High School. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City, the National Education Association, the Missouri National Education Association and the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association. Born March 23, 1941, in McPhee, Colo., she was the daughter of the late Katherine (Mullen) and Clarence Summers.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Louis “Louie” Picarella.
She is survived by a daughter: Katherine Marie “Katie” Picarella of St. Louis; a brother: John (Joan) Summers of Cedar Hill; and a sister: Beverly McInnis of St. James.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty (the late Windell) Bryan and Georgia (the late Levi) Mitchell; and a brother-in-law: Dick McInnis.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the funeral services at 3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 10) at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, followed immediately by funeral services. Memorials may be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis or the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.