Carlene Mae (Laird) Gooden died in Kingfisher, OK on April 22, 2024. Carlene was born July 15, 1933 in Greenfield, OK 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 Kingfisher. 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 6 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 6, 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, Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher sports for many years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, in-laws, Francis and Ruth Gooden, her brother-in-law, Bill Gooden, and son-in-law, Don Gosney.

Survivors include 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 on Wednesday April 24, 2024 from 9:00-10:30am.

Honoring her request, a graveside service will follow at 11:00 am 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.