Clara Estella Roberta Johnson lived a quiet life compared with her famous mother, the comedian LaWanda Page, known as Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son. Still, Clara’s story matters. It shows family love, strong faith, and the private side of a public figure’s home. This article shares what reliable public sources say about Clara’s life, in clear and friendly language.
Personal Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Clara Estella Roberta Johnson (born Clara Estella Roberta Peal) |
| Known for | Evangelist; daughter of actress and comedian LaWanda Page |
| Birth | March 24, 1937 (reported in genealogy records) |
| Birthplace | East St. Louis, Illinois, USA |
| Parents | LaWanda Page (born Alberta Richmond or Peal); first husband John Peal |
| Sibling | An infant brother who died in 1935 |
| Marriage / surname | Married name “Johnson” |
| Faith | Described as an evangelist |
| Death | June 4, 2006, Los Angeles, California, age 69 |
| Notable link | Daughter of “Aunt Esther” on Sanford and Son |
Who was Clara?
Clara Estella Roberta Johnson (born Clara Estella Roberta Peal) was the only daughter of LaWanda Page. She was born in the late 1930s in Illinois. As an adult, she was known for her church work and is described in sources as an evangelist. She died in Los Angeles on June 4, 2006, at the age of 69.
While Clara did not seek the spotlight, her life connects to African American entertainment history through her mother, and to the world of faith through her own ministry path. Public records and biographies mention her with respect and care.
Early life and family
Clara’s mother, LaWanda Page, was born Alberta Richmond and later used the stage name that made her famous. Page started performing young and worked for decades before television made her a household name. In her personal life, Page married three times. Her first husband was John Peal. Sources say that Page had a son who died in infancy in 1935, and later had a daughter named Clara. This places Clara’s birth in the later 1930s.
Genealogy records give a more exact date for Clara’s birth: March 24, 1937, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Collaborative genealogy sites must be used with care, but this date matches the general timeline given in major biographies and memorial records.
Clara’s family roots were a mix of Midwestern life and the tough, creative world of show business. LaWanda Page moved from Cleveland to St. Louis and then to Los Angeles, building a career that would later support and shape the family. Through those changes, Clara grew up as the daughter of a working performer who was often on the road, but also a mother who held firm views on faith and fairness.
A mother–daughter bond
LaWanda Page’s public image was loud, witty, and sharp. But biographies show she was also religious and later became an evangelist in the Holiness Church. This turn toward faith influenced her home life. The same sources note that her daughter, Clara, also became an evangelist. This shared path is one of the clearest facts we have about Clara’s adult life.
It is common for children of famous people to live away from the spotlight. That seems true for Clara. There are no signs of a show business career for her. Instead, the record is simple: she was a daughter, a believer, and a church worker. Small memorial notes and fan history pages remember her respectfully, often linking her to her mother’s legacy but not giving details beyond her ministry role.
Faith and community
Clara is described as an evangelist in several sources, including the main biography of her mother. In this context, “evangelist” usually means a person who shares the Christian message, teaches the Bible, and may speak or serve in church settings. LaWanda Page herself turned toward church work in the early 1980s, so mother and daughter likely shared many values and activities in faith communities at that time.
Because Clara kept a private profile, we do not have a list of sermons, church roles, or organizations linked to her by official records. What we do have is a consistent picture across reliable sources: she was known in connection with evangelism, and that identity appears in both a major biography and memorial records.
Name, marriage, and identity
Clara’s birth name was Clara Estella Roberta Peal. Later records list her as Clara Estella Roberta Peal Johnson, which suggests that Johnson is her married name. Memorial listings show her with both surnames together, a common way to reflect birth and married names in public records. This is why most modern mentions call her “Clara Estella Roberta Johnson.”
Some community sources and family-history sites mention a spouse for Clara, but these are not primary government records. When writing about a private person, it is best to use cautious wording unless there is strong documentation. For that reason, this article confirms her married surname as “Johnson,” as shown in cemetery and memorial records, but does not go deeper into unverified personal details.
Later years and passing
Clara died in Los Angeles, California, on June 4, 2006, at age 69. This date appears in multiple places: in the “Personal life / Death” section of the Wikipedia article on LaWanda Page and in Find a Grave memorial data. When separate sources show the same date and location, we can be more confident about accuracy.
Her mother, LaWanda Page, had died four years earlier on September 14, 2002. Fans remember Page for her television role and for her bold comedy albums. Memorial pages for Page also list Clara as her daughter, reinforcing the family link across both mother’s and daughter’s records.
Legacy and memory
Clara did not chase fame. Her legacy is mostly private: a woman of faith, a daughter who supported and reflected her mother’s late-life religious turn, and a person remembered kindly in family and fan spaces. For many readers, this kind of story is powerful. It reminds us that even near the bright lights of television and comedy, there are quiet lives shaped by belief, service, and family duty.
For cultural history, Clara’s life adds dimension to how we view LaWanda Page. Page was a groundbreaking Black comedian who fought for fair pay and space for Black performers. Knowing that her daughter chose a church path gives us a fuller picture of the home and values around the star. It shows how a public figure might also raise a family rooted in faith and community.
Conclusion
Clara Estella Roberta Johnson may not have been a star on television like her mother, but her life holds its own quiet strength and meaning. She lived with faith, kindness, and a focus on helping others. Being the daughter of LaWanda Page, she saw both the hard work and the joy behind fame, yet she chose a more peaceful road built on belief and family values.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Clara Estella Roberta Johnson?
She was the only daughter of LaWanda Page, the actress and comedian famous for playing Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son. Clara is remembered as an evangelist and a private person. - When and where was Clara born?
Genealogy sources say March 24, 1937, in East St. Louis, Illinois. These records are community-compiled, but they fit the timeline from major biographies. - Who were Clara’s parents?
Her mother was LaWanda Page (born Alberta Richmond, later Peal). Her mother’s first husband was John Peal, and sources indicate Clara was their daughter. - What did Clara do in life?
She is consistently described as an evangelist, suggesting she worked in church ministry and faith teaching. - Did Clara work in show business like her mother?
There is no evidence that she did. Public records link her to church work, not entertainment. - Why is her surname “Johnson” if her birth name was Peal?
Memorial records list her as “Peal Johnson,” which points to a married surname. This is common in public records for married women. - When did Clara die?
She died on June 4, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, at age 69. - How is Clara mentioned in LaWanda Page’s biographies?
Biographies and obituaries for Page note she had a daughter named Clara and also mention Clara’s role as an evangelist. - Is there an official obituary for Clara?
There is a memorial entry with dates and family links on Find a Grave, and Clara is referenced in her mother’s biographical record. Dedicated newspaper obituaries for Clara are not widely available online. - Why is information about Clara limited?
Clara did not live a public life. Many details remain private, so trustworthy sources focus on basic facts like her family, faith role, and life dates.
