Clara Ellen Newton Head

Clara Ellen Newton Head, 96, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, August 17, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 25 at 11:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio officiating. Interment will follow at Westminster Gardens Cemetery.

Clara, born February 26, 1927, in Campbellsville, KY was the daughter of the late Samuel Joseph Newton, Sr. and Mae Elizabeth Leet Newton. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics. Clara was a member of the Guilford County Home Economics Association, Home Economics Honorary Phi Upsilon Omicron Society, and a 4-H Hall of Fame Recipient. She volunteered at Page High School, Meals on Wheels, and Wesley Long Hospital Gift Shop. Her many avocations included cooking, sewing, gardening, reading, archery instructor and “pledge lady” at 4-H camp, sharing stories of her early years including a wartime teaching role in a two-room schoolhouse, and loving and nurturing all her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and pretty much any other child or friend who walked in the door.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Head was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Everett Head, Jr. and their children, Steven Thomas Head, Deborah Ann Head (Karl) Doerre, Donald Wayne Head, and her brothers Samuel Joseph Newton Jr., Leet (Mildred) Newton and Charles (Barbara) Newton.

She is survived by her children: Janet Lynn Head Gibson, Jacqueline Joan Head (Stephen) Mappus, Teresa Gail Head (Sean) Cantwell, Brenda Ellen Head (Ron) Kirkpatrick, Keith William (Erin) Head, Jennifer Alicia Head Hoots; Grandchildren: Jeremy Cooper (Lexi) Doerre, Matthew Edwin (Carr) Doerre, Anthony Peyton (Meghan) Gibson, Elliott Dickson (Piper) Mappus, Erin Mackenzie Gibson, Sarah Courtney Cantwell, Elizabeth Claire Mappus, Jonathan Reece Cantwell, Owen Exum Kirkpatrick, Turner Marshall Hoots, Lauren Ashleigh Head, Olivia Ellen Kirkpatrick, Adam Everett Hoots, Caroline Alexis Head; Great-grandchildren: Edwin Wiley Doerre, Ann Stafford Doerre, Quin Cooper Doerre, Clara Alling Doerre, Walker Anderson Gibson and many nieces and nephews along with other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, it was Clara’s wish that any memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Smile Train Charity.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Head family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.