Clarence Edison Farriba

Clarence Edison Farriba, 83, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, in the presence of his loving wife of 56 years, Wanda Thompson Farriba, and their two children, Leah Skaggs and Matthew Farriba.

Clarence was born on June 9, 1941, to Arnold and Dolly Farriba in Ball Ground, Georgia. A proud servant of his country, Clarence spent his early years in the Air National Guard before embarking on a career as an electrician. He worked for International Paper for much of his professional life, ultimately serving as Safety Supervisor until his retirement in 2011.

Known affectionately as “Chigger,” Clarence inherited his nickname from his older brother, James. Together, they were fondly referred to as “Big Chigger” and “Little Chigger” by family and friends, while their mother Dolly and their wives preferred their given names.

Clarence had a zest for life, particularly for sports and the outdoors. Whether hiking in the mountains, cheering on a ball game, or working in his yard, he embraced every weekend as an opportunity for adventure. In his retirement, Clarence explored hammock camping and enjoyed thrifting with Wanda on trips across the Appalachian region.

Clarence was predeceased by his parents, Arnold and Dolly; his brother Norris; and his beloved niece Lori, whose courage during her battle with cancer inspired him deeply as he faced his own journey with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; son Matthew Farriba and his wife Christie, along with their two sons, Loftin and Shelton Latham; daughter Leah Skaggs and her husband Steven, with their children, Luke, Susanna, and David; and his older brother, James Farriba.

Clarence was a fixture in the Garner community, spending countless hours on the ball field with his son and teammates. He was universally admired as a coach and a father, always ready with a kind word and a helping hand.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to The Landings of Smithfield for their compassionate care during Clarence’s final year, as well as to UNC Neurology for their dedication to finding a cure for PSP. True to his generous spirit, Clarence has donated his body to Duke University for medical research, ensuring that even in death, he continues to contribute to the betterment of others.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Bryan Lee Funeral Home in Garner, NC. The family will greet friends briefly following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Clarence’s name to Cure PSP. Donate Here .