Clara Goodrich
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Clara Goodrich, 96, formerly of Hillsboro, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 at Waterford Independent Living Retirement Center in Fairfield.
She was born the daughter of the late Jacob Pleasant Evans and Clara Geneva Williams Evans on July 23, 1921 in Hillsboro.
Clara married John Frederick Goodrich on April 3, 1941 in Indianapolis, Ind., and they had been married 56 years before John’s death on Dec. 8, 1997.
Clara was a proud descendant of the Brown County Gist Settlement, which was established by former slaves that were freed from Virginia upon slave-owner Samuel Gist’s death in 1815. Clara was self-employed for many years as a hairstylist/beautician. She then worked for the Highland County Community Action and eventually worked her way up to being the director of all of Highland County’s Head Start and Day Care Programs. After retiring, she worked with Samaritan Outreach Services for a few years. She was an honorary member of the AAARC Program, which holds an annual program every February at the Highland County Public Library.
Clara was a faithful member of the New Hope Baptist Church for over 50 years before moving to Cincinnati to be closer to her family. Once getting settled in her home in Mt. Healthy, she joined with the Inspirational Baptist Church in Forest Park. She made many more friends and became known as “Mother Clara.”
The last 13 and a half months, Clara resided at the Waterford of Fairfield, an independent living apartment complex. Upon her arrival, she made more new friends and acquaintances. She was always gentle, patient and trying to encourage those around her no matter what her circumstances were. She was thoughtful and kind and tried to be helpful to the nurses and caregivers when they were trying to assist her. She enjoyed participating in the activities that were provided, and once she became housebound she began to attend the church services at The Waterford and the weekly Bible study group.
She really brought a light to the community at The Waterford, and everyone was blessed when they were around her. The residents were saddened to learn of Clara’s passing but were happy for her because they all know she is now pain-free and no longer struggling. Clara is rejoicing in Heaven today and very happy. Clara will truly be missed by all of those who crossed paths with her. Praise God for His loving kindness and mercy. “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
She is survived by her daughter, Natalie (Steven) Amato of Cincinnati; one grandson, S. Vito Amato Jr.; three stepgranddaughters, Michelle (James) Gibson, Sarah (Marc) Singleton and Lisa (John) Mathias and their children; also numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, many cousins on the Evans side and many special friends that will greatly miss her.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Myrtle Viola Winston.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 from noon until 2 p.m. at Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will take place immediately following visitation at 2 p.m. H. Scott Latimer will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillsboro Cemetery.
For more information or to leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
She was born the daughter of the late Jacob Pleasant Evans and Clara Geneva Williams Evans on July 23, 1921 in Hillsboro.
Clara married John Frederick Goodrich on April 3, 1941 in Indianapolis, Ind., and they had been married 56 years before John’s death on Dec. 8, 1997.
Clara was a proud descendant of the Brown County Gist Settlement, which was established by former slaves that were freed from Virginia upon slave-owner Samuel Gist’s death in 1815. Clara was self-employed for many years as a hairstylist/beautician. She then worked for the Highland County Community Action and eventually worked her way up to being the director of all of Highland County’s Head Start and Day Care Programs. After retiring, she worked with Samaritan Outreach Services for a few years. She was an honorary member of the AAARC Program, which holds an annual program every February at the Highland County Public Library.
Clara was a faithful member of the New Hope Baptist Church for over 50 years before moving to Cincinnati to be closer to her family. Once getting settled in her home in Mt. Healthy, she joined with the Inspirational Baptist Church in Forest Park. She made many more friends and became known as “Mother Clara.”
The last 13 and a half months, Clara resided at the Waterford of Fairfield, an independent living apartment complex. Upon her arrival, she made more new friends and acquaintances. She was always gentle, patient and trying to encourage those around her no matter what her circumstances were. She was thoughtful and kind and tried to be helpful to the nurses and caregivers when they were trying to assist her. She enjoyed participating in the activities that were provided, and once she became housebound she began to attend the church services at The Waterford and the weekly Bible study group.
She really brought a light to the community at The Waterford, and everyone was blessed when they were around her. The residents were saddened to learn of Clara’s passing but were happy for her because they all know she is now pain-free and no longer struggling. Clara is rejoicing in Heaven today and very happy. Clara will truly be missed by all of those who crossed paths with her. Praise God for His loving kindness and mercy. “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
She is survived by her daughter, Natalie (Steven) Amato of Cincinnati; one grandson, S. Vito Amato Jr.; three stepgranddaughters, Michelle (James) Gibson, Sarah (Marc) Singleton and Lisa (John) Mathias and their children; also numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, many cousins on the Evans side and many special friends that will greatly miss her.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Myrtle Viola Winston.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 from noon until 2 p.m. at Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will take place immediately following visitation at 2 p.m. H. Scott Latimer will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillsboro Cemetery.
For more information or to leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.