Clara Jean Gootee, age 85 of Loretto, passed away Monday, October 21, 2024 at Village of Lebanon Nursing Home.  She was born December 3, 1938 in Marion County.  She was a homemaker and member of Saint Charles Catholic Church.  She was a loving mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed cooking, quilting, reading, and watching Jeopardy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Spencer Gootee, Sr.; one daughter, Pamela Michelle Hutchins; one infant son, Charles Michael Gootee; one daughter-in-law, Theresa Ellen Woford Gootee; one son-in-law, Timothy "Timbob" Hutchins; one granddaughter, Alicia Ellen Gootee; her parents, Thomas Cleaver "Doc" Hill and Emma Elizabeth Mills Hill; one brother, Lloyd "Jerry" Hill.

Survivors include four daughters, Vicky Dean (Bo) of Loretto, Lisa Nalley (Ernie Sallee) of Lebanon, Robin Miles (Dink Dugan) of Saint Francis, and Kay Caldwell (Tim) of Lebanon; two sons, Junior Gootee (Vickie) of Campbellsville and Michael Gootee (Tracy) of Loretto; 19 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Gail Allen (Bill) of Florida; two brothers, Donald Hill (Glenna) of Bardstown and Roger Hill (Laverne) of Saint Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Saint Charles Catholic Church, 675 Highway 327, Lebanon.  The Very Rev.  Scott J. Wimsett will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The visitation is 3-8 pm Wednesday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 pm by Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Jamie Withrow, Rocky Pittman, Chuck Nalley, Joey Miles, Brandon Caldwell, and Cody Wheatley; The other grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers along with the special nurses and aides who cared for her, loving called "Cedars Angels".