Carlene Gooden

Carlene Mae (Laird) Gooden died in Kingfisher on April 22, 2024.

Carlene was born July 15, 1933, in Greenfield to James Richard Laird and Zetta Lauraine (Brann) Laird. She was an only child.

She attended Loyal schools, graduating high school in 1951.

As a teenager, she met a young man named George Marvin Gooden from Kingfi sher.

George’s dad, Francis Gooden, owned the property Jim Laird rented and farmed near the Loyal community.

George and Carlene married in June 1951 and enjoyed 53 years together until George’s passing in January 2005.

Together they raised six children - Jim, Dale, Ruthie, Susan, Steve and Pam - all born in a span of 10 years.

Carlene was a homemaker as a young mother of six, then worked as a bookkeeper for the family hardware store for many years before it closed in 1984.

During her lifetime she was a member of the First Christian Church, Christian Women’s Fellowship, Kingfi sher Study Club and the Kingfisher Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She and George enjoyed following their children’s activities and sports and continued to follow Kingfi sher sports for many years. Preceding her in death were her husband, George; her parents; her in-laws, Francis and Ruth Gooden; her brother-in-law, Bill Gooden; and son-in-law, Don Gosney.

Survivors include children Jim Gooden (Sharon), Dale Gooden (Nancy), Ruthie Francis (David), Susan Gosney, Steve Gooden (Debbie) and Pam Wittrock. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

A visitation for friends and family will be held at Sanders Funeral Service from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24.

Honoring her request, a graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. at Kingfisher Cemetery with Pastor Gene Massey presiding.

Services are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice.