Clara Lee Wooden

Ms. Clara Lee Poindexter Wooden was born on December 18, 1919, in Ringgold, in Montgomery County, Tennessee. She was the oldest of three children born to John Harvey Poindexter and Armetter Green Poindexter, followed by John Handy and Jesse Charles, who preceded her in death. She was educated in the public schools of Montgomery County and graduated from Burt High School with the Class of 1939 where she was voted “Senior with the Most Wit.” Afterwards, Clara attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Thereafter, she met and married Ewing Daniel Roberts, Jr., and together they welcomed a daughter, Danielle Nadine. She later married James Leon Wooden, Sr. and together they had four children, Armitter Louise, Claire Leona, James Leon Jr., and John Harvey. Clara was a loving, devoted and spiritual mother. Both husbands preceded her in death. She worked as a dietitian/nutritionist at the Clarksville Memorial Hospital and retired after 35 plus years of service.

Clara accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Little Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church which she remained until her passing. She served as Church Secretary for thirty-nine years. She also served as Secretary of the Cumberland River South Kentucky Middle Tennessee Baptist District Association. She taught Sunday School for both children and adults, sang in the Choir and volunteered as a Drug Center Counselor.

Clara was a founding member of the Cosmopolitan Art & Study Club and was honored in November 2000, for her longstanding service as an integral member of the Club. Also, as a member of the African American Professional Women’s Club she worked to set up mentor programs and college scholarships for young African American women and provided assistance to women in need. In addition, she was a member of a Pen Pal group for African American soldiers during WWII.

Clara loved to garden, especially flowers, and was an avid reader with an affinity for Christian poetry. She also loved art and music. She was a sharp dresser and loved big, beautiful hats.

Clara L. Wooden showed that serving God was more than simply going to church on Sunday, it was about the relationship with Him every day. She demonstrated the significance of consistent prayer in both the good and bad times. She was honest, faithful, and dependable in everything she did. She faced life’s problems “head on” no matter how difficult, completely depending on God to guide her and work things out. Clara loved consistently and unconditionally and loved those who family and society may have judged unjustly or harshly. She loved working in the church and always worked diligently. She always carried herself with strength and grace.

Clara taught her family to always put God first and then family. She believed “family takes care of family even if it means stretching yourself to make it possible.” She lived her belief by providing loving care for her father, mother, aunt, both brothers and her youngest brother’s mother-in-law.

Clara was truly a loving role model!

She was a mother of five children, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that Clara had grown weary and that her job was done. He called her home to rest on April 23, 2022.

Clara was preceded in death by her daughter, Armitter, and son, John.

Clara leaves to cherish her loving memory: daughter, Danielle (Ezekiel) Sistrunk; daughter, Claire Wooden Hines; son, James (Peggy) Wooden, Jr., daughter-in-law, Joslin Fullen Wooden; grandchildren, Melissa (Harold) Dahmer; Taiwana (Shepphard) Daniels; Karen (Byron) Sistrunk-Blocker; Kevin Sistrunk; Kathryn (Anthony) Sistrunk-Stripling; Kenneth (Rita) Sistrunk; Kemo Wooden; Daniel Wooden; Mark Hines; Thomas Owens, Jr.; Sarina Owens; and Jackie Owens; and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and other family and friends.

Visitation Saturday, April 30, 2022 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Celebration of Life 2:00 p.m. at Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.