Clairus Lee Pritchett

Clairus Lee Pritchett, age 82 years, a resident of Goreville, passed away Monday afternoon, January 2, 2023, at 12:55 PM at the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Clairus was born March 7, 1940 in Makanda, Illinois. She was the fifth of seven children born to Rev. William H. Lirely and Beatrice Lucille (Jackson) Lirely. On April 20, 1957, Clairus was united in marriage to Bill Pritchett. He survives. Clairus is also survived by: her children – Rodney (his wife Barbara) Pritchett, Brian (his wife Jackie) Pritchett, Cheryl (her husband Tim) Gage, and Wade (his wife Annette) Pritchett all of Goreville; 8 grandchildren – Stacy (her husband Jeff) Tharp, Josh Pritchett, Aaron Pritchett, Corey Pritchett, Christopher (his wife Krystal) Gage, Jordan (Olivia Womack) Gage, Brandi (her husband Josiah) Miller and Ashley (her husband Keith) Bennett; 11 great grandchildren – Connor, Emma, Jack, Gracie, Parker, Hayes, Otto, Knox, Dom, Jasper, and Campbell Faye; 3 sisters – Una Tripp of Lick Creek, Gayle Caraker of Anna, and Myra Owen of Centralia; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, Clairus was preceded in death by: 2 brothers – Billy Lirely and Rev. Ivan Lirely; and a sister – Tirzah Tweedy. Clairus was a graduate of the Goreville High School. She had been employed as a clerk at the Goreville Food Market. Later, she was employed for 27 years by the United States Postal Service. She served her entire working career at the Goreville Post Office, where she was widely known and much loved. Clairus served as the acting postmaster of the Goreville Post Office from September – December 1994. Clairus was very involved in the community. She was a longtime member and past president of the Goreville Women’s Club. Also, Clairus was a member of the Red Hat Society and was a 25+ year volunteer worker and former board member of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance. Clairus enjoyed music and playing the piano. She enjoyed working all kinds of puzzles, particularly jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed watching the birds and butterflies in her lawn and flowers. Clairus was a member of the Goreville United Methodist Church. More recently, Clairus and Bill have worshipped together at Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, south of Goreville. A service honoring the life of Clairus Lee Pritchett will be conducted Thursday afternoon, January 5, 2023, at 1 PM at the Goreville United Methodist Church, 116 West Adams St., Goreville, Illinois. Pastor Darren Clark and Pastor Enrico Esguerra will officiate. Burial will be in the Cana Cemetery, north of Goreville. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 11 AM – 1 PM at the Goreville United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Goreville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 288, Goreville, IL 62939-0288; Cana Cemetery, c/o Joyce Kelley, 1120 South Fly Ave., Goreville, IL 62939; or to Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 354, Goreville, IL 62939.

Clairus Lee Pritchett

March 7, 1940 - January 2, 2023