Clara Ellen Smith

Clara Ellen Smith 95, formerly of Indianapolis, IN, passed away February 14, 2019. Clara was born in Loogootee, IN, on September 12, 1923 to the late Charles Rufus Green and Margaret Pauline Green. Clara married Thomas A. Smith on June 19, 1948 at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. They made their home on the east side and went on to raise five loving children.
Clara was a self-made woman of strong determination. She was never afraid to tackle a new project. She gardened, preserved food, refinished furniture, and sewed clothing for herself and the children. She enjoyed baking pies, breads and was famous for her creme puffs. She would line the counters with creme puffs and then host a creme puff party. Clara was also an artist, having won ribbons for her still life and landscape oil paintings.
In addition to her domestic and artistic talents, Clara participated in the lives of her children and community. She was active with the children in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4 H, and Junior Catholic Daughters of America. She volunteered at the church and sewed lap blankets and made baked goods for the former Marion County Home for the Aged.
In her later years, Clara and Tom enjoyed traveling. They visited Holland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Seoul Korea. A little closer to home, Clara enjoyed traveling to garage sales. She was an avid garage sale-er, spotting the most minuscule sign and taking with her, any willing soul with a taste for treasure hunting.
Clara was many things to many people: wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Her children exclaim, “Our mom was a Super Star.”
Clara is survived by her beloved children, Glenda (John) Kishi, Jeanette (Bob) Tiller, Shirley Hill, Carl (Julie) Smith, and daughter-in-law Sheri Smith; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Smith; son, Thomas E. Smith; ex son-in-law, Richard C. Hill; great grandson, Ralstin Smith; sister, Barbara Curtis; and brothers, Louis Greene, Bernard Greene, Robert Greene, and Francis Greene.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 E. 10th St. Indianapolis, IN 46219, on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 10-11 AM with funeral services beginning at 11:00 AM.