One of Our Best

On Wednesday, November 23, 2022, Mrs. Clarease L. Isby gained her heavenly wings. The Lord beckoned, and she obediently answered His call. Clarease was married to the late Willie Isby, Jr., and together one of their proudest accomplishments was rearing two successful daughters, Mavis and Chandra. She was baptized at an early age at the Oakland Ridge Baptist Church in Lake Providence, LA. Later in life, she moved her membership to Zion Traveler Baptist Church in Monroe, LA, where she was a devoted member for over 50 years. She was a faithful and dedicated Sunday School teacher, a member of the Mission Ministry and Chancel Choir, and for many years she proudly chaired the Homecoming Day program. Determined to leave the cotton fields of Lake Providence, Clarease knew that education was her vehicle to success and a prosperous life. Her thirst for knowledge was evident in the many institutions she attended while on that journey. Her education began in East Carroll Parish, where she was educated in the public school system. She received her secondary education at Louisiana Training Institute for the Colored (currently General Trass High School), obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Grambling State University, and Master's degrees from Tuskegee Institute and Northeast Louisiana University; she additionally studied at Columbia University, New York, NY; Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. In 1973, Clarease L. Isby was the first African-American assistant professor to join then-Northeast Louisiana University. Mrs. Isby was already an established educator when she came to the university's education program. Clarease worked at ULM for more than 30 years. In addition to being an assistant professor, she served as a supervisor of teaching, social worker, coordinator, education consultant, and instructor of undergraduate and graduate students. She was an active life member with Pearl status of the Zeta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1955. Continuing her legacy of service, she was also a proud member of the Monroe-Grambling Chapter of The Links, Inc. She was also honored as a Platinum member with the organization. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Clarease Isby are: Viewing: Thursday, December 1, 2022, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (family only), 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (public viewing) at Miller Funeral Home, 2832 Renwick Street, Monroe, LA; Funeral Services: Friday, December 2, 2022, 12:00 NOON at Zion Traveler Missionary Baptist Church, 200 S. 11th St, Monroe LA; Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony, 10:00 AM and Links, Inc., Memorial Ceremony, 11:00 AM.