Claranell Zimmerman

Claranell Zimmerman died July 6th, 2025, at Warr Acres Nursing Center. In lieu of a Prayer Service there will be a closed casket visitation for Claranell at the 23rd St. location of Smith & Kernke Funeral Home from 9am - 5pm on Thursday July 17. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 18th, 1pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church with burial at Resurrection Cemetery to follow.

Claranell was born October 1, 1946, at St. Anthony, OKC. A lifetime resident of Oklahoma, she graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and taught elementary school for 44 years, primarily at Wilson Elementary in OKC as a 1st grade and T1 teacher. After retirement, Claranell continued to work with students as a tutor in OKC.

Claranell was a devoted and compassionate sister, educator, aunt, and friend, sharing her passion for learning and the power of language with her myriad students, her nephews, niece, grand nephews, and grand nieces. Her love for children manifested in the relationships she developed with her students as a 1st grade/ T1 teacher: students she would continue to hear from decades after she worked with them. Additionally, even with distance and time between visits, her steadfast interest and engagement with her nephews, nieces and their families were proof of her devotion to those she loved. Always ready with love and support, radiating kindness and genuine care, her legacy as a sibling, aunt, teacher, and friend continues to reverberate in the lives of her family and community.

Claranell was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Elinor, her brother Chris, and her niece Jennifer. She is survived by her brother Charlie Zimmerman and his wife, Corann, her nephews, Dan Zimmerman, Michael Zimmerman, and Joseph Zimmerman, her, step nieces, Cynthia Cox and Lory Martin, her grand niece, Lucy Zimmerman, and her grand nephews, Caiden Zimmerman, Miles Zimmerman, Arlo Zimmerman, Jack Zimmerman, Ben Zimmerman, step-grand-niece Diana Tetherow, and step-grand-nephews Christian Holsted, Alex, and Jonathan Martin.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation for all the love and care given to Claranell by the staff of Warr Acres Nursing Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Associated Catholic Charities, 1501 N. Classen Blvd., OKC 73106.