Claire Franklin Rasor

Claire Franklin Rasor, age 83, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was surrounded by family and caring staff at Brandermill Woods Retirement Community in Midlothian, VA. A Celebration of Life will be held May 15 at 2 p.m. in the Holston Conference - Emory & Henry Cemetery, Emory, VA. Being mindful of COVID-19, masks and social distancing are encouraged.

The family will receive friends at the cemetery immediately following the service. Please bring your own lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather, the receiving of friends will move to the fellowship hall at Emory United Methodist Church. 
Born in Cartersville, GA to Paul and Margaret (Burke) Franklin, Jr.,

Claire graduated from Gaffney (SC) High School and later Furman University in Greenville, SC, where she met and fell in love with Gene Rasor. They were married on Dec. 22, 1957 and lived in several places while Gene served in the U.S. Navy.  After putting down roots in Emory, VA, they built a beautiful home, where Claire spent long hours in nature, watching birds and tending to plants and trees. Claire and Gene spent many years exploring England and Europe together, sharing their love of travel with their children, grandchildren, and countless others. 

Claire made a lasting impact on her community in the 50 years she lived in Emory. She formed the first integrated Girl Scout troop in the Glade Spring area and served as president of the Appalachian Girl Scout Council. She was also instrumental in establishing the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Washington County and the Emory Service Project, which improved hundreds of homes in Southwest Virginia. She created a local recycling program, the proceeds supporting medical care for low-income individuals. In recognition of her extensive work toward social justice, Claire received the Hope Award from Emory & Henry College in 2005.  

A woman of strong faith, Claire was a dedicated member of Emory United Methodist Church for five decades and, after she moved to Richmond in 2016, River Road United Methodist Church.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Margaret, as well as by her husband, best friend, and constant companion of more than 60 years, Eugene Latimer Rasor. Claire is survived by her sister Alice Franklin Aiken (Jim), daughters Robin Hultberg (Craig), Lynn Rasor  (Steve Rhodes), and Laura Rasor (David Schoeni), and grandchildren Cora, Jake, Hannah, Sam, Sarah, Gabriella, and Abraham, who all loved and admired her. Claire was an unfailingly kind and generous soul who led by quiet example, never boasting but always engaged in the unending work of making the world a better place.  

Instead of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the Recycling/Medical Assistance Fund at Emory United Methodist Church, the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians, and/or Dance for Parkinson’s Disease.