Mrs. Betty Harris Clanton Obituary

Betty Harris Clanton, 84 of Albany, GA., passed away at Willson Hospice House on Wednesday November 21, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 P.M. at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral. Rev. Chip Gresham will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. A native of Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia, Mrs. Clanton was born on October 23, 1928 to the late James Barney Harris, Sr. and Emma Irene Bennett Harris. She attended public schools in Thomasville, Waycross, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. She met her husband, Buddy, on a blind date while visiting friends in Albany during a week-end in October 1948. The following Tuesday, Buddy drove to Jacksonville to see if she would return to Albany to live and work, she returned that night with him. The following April 20, 1949 they were married by Dr. C. R. Pittard at Byne Memorial Baptist Church and have completed 63 years of marriage. Betty became a member of Byne Memorial Baptist Church and was active during her membership. In 1978, she became a member of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church in Leesburg, Georgia remaining until it's closing in 2009. At the time of her death she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Mrs. Clanton was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company at Jacksonville, Florida and Albany, Georgia after moving to Albany in 1948. She retired after 37 years of service on April 23, 1983 from her last assignment as the Business Office Manager. In September 1987, she and her husband leased and managed the American Legion Golf Course until 1992. During her working years and after retirement her children and grand-children were her pride and joy. Many years she enjoyed having all of the family together for Thanksgiving and Christmas in her home to enjoy her fine cooking and gifts to remember the times of life. Two vehicles were required for her and Buddy along with 5 grand-children traveling to the area of Jamestown, Virginia. The family continued to travel for several months seeing the USA from Key West to Canada and Nova Scotia, playing golf along the way. After the 1994 flood of Albany, Betty, Buddy and two grand boys, Cohn and Blake toured 21 north and western states. They visited Boot Hill Cemetery in Tombstone, Arizona where their cousins, Billy Clanton and his father Newman Hayes Clanton are buried. Betty was known as "Granny". Granny loved for her grandchildren to move into her home for the summer. Her home was their home. Mrs. Clanton was a past president of the CWA, Southern Bell Pioneers and a past member of several organizations. She was a volunteer as a Gray Lady at the hospital for several years. Betty was recognized by the Red Cross for her continuous participation in donating blood. She assisted her husband with the Air Explorer Scout Unit sponsored by the American Legion Post 30 and a Scout Den Mother. Pallbearers: Robert Winborne; Alan Clanton; Colin Clanton; Blake Clanton; Todd Massey; Teel Massey. In addition to her parents Mrs. Clanton was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Alan Clanton, Sr.; brother James B. Harris, Jr.; of Greenville, North Carolina; sisters Jean Harris Babcock of Hornell, New York; Louise Harris Anderson of Sarasota, Florida; Marjorie Harris Wright of Palmetto, Florida; son-in-law, Edgar "Eddie" Cole, Jr. Survivors include her husband, L. B. "Buddy" Clanton of Albany; a daughter Gail C. Cole of Mitchell County, GA.; a son William C. "Bill" Clanton (Reames) of Lee County, GA.; five grand-children: April C. Massey (Todd) of Donalsonville, GA; Robert B. 'Buddy" Winborne, (Dana) of Warner Robins, GA.; Kenneth Alan Clanton, Jr. of Colquitt, GA.; Colin R. Clanton (Stephanie) of Chattanooga, TN.; Blake H. Clanton of Lee County, GA., eight great grandchildren: Kenneth "Teel" and Karsyn Massey of Donalsonville, GA.; Joseph, Jacob and Justin Winborne of Warner Robins, GA.; Hudson, William "Will" and Luke Clanton of Chattanooga, TN, sister, Maxine Harris Huddleston of Sherman, TX.; several nieces and nephews; special friends: Kristin Daniel; Debra Pinson; Dorothy Hall; Brenda Smith; Raymond Winborne; Hospice Employees; Doctors: Jeffery Bell; Chappell Collins; Michael Daugherty; Charles Holman; Lane Price. Visitation will be one hour prior to her funeral at the funeral home. Kimbrell-Stern is in charge of arrangements. The family wishes to thank all the caring and wonderful people at the Willson Hospice House providing care for our love one. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Ln. Albany, GA. 31707; Calvary Baptist Church, 1211 13 Ave., Albany, GA 31701; or their favorite Charity.

Mrs. Betty Harris Clanton Obituary

October 23, 1928 - November 21, 2012