Clara Louise McDonald, age 79, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Huntsville Hospital. She was born on August 14, 1946, in Lincoln County, TN, to the late Walter B. & Willne Moore Wells.

She was a mother, a Mema, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. In 1975, she moved to Texas and worked as a correctional officer for many years. She later returned to Tennessee where she continued her career as a correctional officer and a teacher’s aide.

She enjoyed life to the fullest, if Clara was around, there was never a dull moment. She loved her fur friend, Ace. They would sit around and chew gum and eat their favorite snack, honey buns. Clara also loved eating Oreos and watching her cowboys on television.

In addition to her parents, Clara is preceded in death by her daughter: Rita McDonald; granddaughters: Brittany Buchanan and Briella Waller; brother: John Willie Wells; grandmother: Viola Wells; uncle: Charlie C. Wells; and nephew: Fawan Knott.

To know Clara was to love her! She was a small feisty woman, with a vibe that filled whole rooms, a mouth that read you up and down, but she had a heart of gold. Mema will be greatly missed by her children, Rosolyn (Randy) Reese, Rena (David) Buchanan, Ronnie McDonald and Retta (Earlie) Waller; sister: Dorothy Wells; bonus daughter: Shontail Wells; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends, including special friends and cousins, Ruby Bonner, LaRita Ridley, Angela Ridley and Darrell Jefferson.

Homegoing Services will be conducted on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home with eulogy by Bro. Cedrick Davis.

Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Clara Louise McDonald.