Carol Jean Sooter
October 7, 1946 - January 1, 2021
Carol Jean Sooter was born on October 7, 1946 as Carol Jean Zmudzinski, but to everyone that knew her she was simply Nana. Nana was born in South Bend, Indiana to Edward and Minnie Zmudzinski. She was the youngest of five sisters and one brother. Although she loved her family, she hated the cold, so she moved to California in 1962 to stay with her brother, Robert who was living in Monterey after his stint in the Navy.
While living in Monterey she worked as a waitress in a coffee shop which is where she met the love of her life Cecil. They were married in 1963 and soon had two children, Bridgette and Ken. They moved to Tuolumne county in
1969 to raise their children.
They came to Tuolumne with not much more than the clothes on their back and hopes and dreams. Her husband Cecil started working at Chips Chevron in 1970. After ten years of hard work and saving they were able to purchase the business in 1980. They later converted Chips into a mini mart in 1986. Nana loved going to work everyday and spending time with customers who would become friends. Nana retired last year turning the business over to her granddaughter, Brittany and her husband, Pat Smyth.
Nana was always up for a good party. Many summer days were spent with the crew from Sonora Auto Parts and their families enjoying the pool at Nanas house. Nana could take any event and turn it into a celebration with pizza, beer and friendship.
Nana loved to spend time with her friends. She enjoyed many Reno trips with her bowling league. Nana and Papa (Cecil) would often go on cruises or vacations with their good friends Gordon and Mary Boone, and Jim and Cindy Smith. Even after leaving South Bend for California she could not leave her family behind. She took frequent trips with her children to visit her mother, sisters and many nieces and nephews in Indiana. Over the last few years she took an annual trip to South Bend for her birthday to spend time with her family. Nana was as generous as a person could be. She loved to spoil her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She donated to numerous youth sports and the local Jamestown events. Her favorite charity was Meals on Wheels, participating in their Railtown fundraiser for many years.
But more than anything she loved her husband and family. She was very proud of her children and their spouses for the type of people they had become. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and how successful each of them was becoming. In many ways they each owe a part of their achievements to Nana. Nana is survived by her husband of 57 years Cecil (Papa) Sooter, her daughter, Bridgette Fuentes and her husband Ron Fuentes, son, Ken Sooter and his wife Patricia, granddaughter, Brittany Smyth and her husband Pat Smyth, grandson, Brad Sooter and his wife Kendall, granddaughter, Alex Davis and her husband Austin Davis, grandson, Carter Sooter, great grandchildren, Rylan Jean Smyth and Aurora Rae Davis. She is also survived by all that knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sonora Senior Providers in Carol’s name at 540 Greenley Rd, Sonora, CA 95370.