Clara Gooden

Born March 10th, 1937 in Selma Alabama, Clara Gooden was the second of six children born to mother, Jessie Martin Gooden and late father, Jesse Gooden. In the early 1940's the Gooden family moved from Selma to Cleveland, Ohio where Clara attended Catholic Schools and received her high school diploma. Clara was the type of person who left an imprint on the hearts of those she encountered. Friends and family described her as a kind, strong-willed, independent woman. After graduating high school, Clara attended cosmetology school until the birth of her first child Ernest. After starting a family of her own, Clara's love for children grew which inspired her to open an in-house daycare during the 1980's. Afterwards, Clara received her STNA license and worked private duty. As time passed, so did the name Clara Gooden. Her name changed from Clara to mother, from mother to grandmother, from grandmother to great grandmother. On the morning of Monday, July 18, 2011 Clara was called home to be with our Heavenly Father. Though her physical presence will be missed, her spirit will live on in the legacy she has created. Clara is preceded in death by brothers, Samuel "Butch" Gooden (1988) and brother, William R. Gooden (2011). Clara is survived by her mother, Jessie Gooden; brothers, Nathaniel and Lee Gooden (sister-in-law, Patricia); sister, Ernestine Gooden (Morris); sons, Ernest D. Gooden, Dwayne Gooden, Kary D. Gooden, Floyd Jackson; and daughter, Angela Jackson (son-in-law, David); ten grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. CLARA GOODEN, 74; Passed July 18, 2011; HOME GOING SERVICES ON TUESDAY, JULY 23, WAKE 12:30 PM, FUNERAL 1:00 PM at Watson's Funeral Home, 10913 Superior Avenue.