Clara Brown McNutt

Clara Brown McNutt peacefully passed away surrounded by her family at the age of 91 on March 21st, 2026 due to a brief illness. She was born in Knoxville in 1934 to Clyde J and Noma E Brown. She graduated from Rule High School and earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Charles F McNutt.

Newly married, Clara and Charles moved to Washington D.C. for Charles' education. In 1963, they moved to Blount County where they both joined the family business, McNutt Oil Company. Balancing work, family, and community service, she was involved in many civic organizations. Her interests centered around people and how to help in some way through education, arts, economic health, and the maintenance of the high quality of life of her community. She served on the Maryville City School Board for 8 years, Blount County Commission for 6 years, was president of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce in 1978, past president of Tennessee Oil Marketers (now TFCA), Junior Service League and was in Leadership Blount 1991. She was especially fond of her involvement in Chilhowee Club.

In addition to her husband Charles, she is survived by her sister Pansy Frazier of Knoxville, cousin Franklin Parker (June), daughters Susan McNutt, Karen McNutt Gale (Pete), granddaughters Karlie Gale Bergen (Reece), Courtney Gale Simmons (Sean), great grandson Emmett, greatgrandchild soon to arrive, nieces and nephews.

Predeceased in addition to her parents are her brother Jerry Patrick Brown and infant brother Michael (Mikey)Cecil Brown, aunts, uncles and cousins from Statesville, North Carolina along with special in-laws Frank H and Bonnie J McNutt.

She enjoyed being active in the outdoors whether walking in the neighborhood or riding on her lawnmower. She was a talented pianist for many years. Clara cared for many cats over her lifetime. She was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church, Maryville. The family would like to thank her caregiver and walking buddy Summer French along with her caring neighbors.

Clara's wishes were to be cremated then scattered in the Smokies. The family will be planning a private family gathering. A guestbook to share sentiments is available at McCammon Ammons Click Funeral Home, Maryville. If so inclined, memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Smokies, Chilhowee Club or the Maryville Alcoa Animal Rescue Center (MAARC).