Thousands Attend OKC Funeral Service For Clara Luper

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thousands of people gathered at the Cox Convention Center Friday to pay tribute to civil rights leader and history teacher, Clara Luper.

The funeral services began with a musical tribute to Luper.  While mourners and family members filed in, images taken throughout Luper's life flashed across large television screens.

Governor Mary Fallin was one of the dignitaries to eulogize the civil rights pioneer.  When Governor Fallin was a young woman, she worked with Luper.  The governor said she was awed, impressed and influenced by Luper's passion and dedication to her cause. 

Luper died June 8 at the age of 88 after a long illness.  Luper led a sit-in in 1958 at Katz Drug Store that helped end segregation at all 38 locations of the business.

More than 400 people passed through the Oklahoma Capitol on Thursday to pay their respects to Luper.  Her body lay in state in the rotunda from noon until 4 p.m.

Related Story: 6/17/11 Mourners Honor Clara Luper At Oklahoma State Capitol