Ora Lee (Eason) Clanton (1905 - 1958)

Born 23 Aug 1905 in Barney, Brooks, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Leslie Watkins Clanton — married 21 May 1922 in Quitman, Brooks, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died 5 May 1958 at age 52 in Smyrna, Cobb, Georgia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Claude Perry [send private message]

Biography

Gravestone inscription reads as, "One We Love Has Gone Above To Rest For God Knew Best."

From Descendants of John Clanton 1609:

Ora Lee was born in a little country town named Barney, Georgia, which is located in the north east section of Brooks County, GA. It is assumed that her father was a farmer in the area, but moved the family to Quitman and joined his father's business, Eason and Sons, grocery and meat business at 713 South Washington Street. He continued there until the Flu Epidemic swept this great nation in 1918 and he died December 02, 1918, leaving his wife and five children. Ora Lee was the oldest child, age 13, when her father died. The 1920 US Census listed her mother, Mrs. Buford Eason age 37 as head of the household living in the Barney District of Brooks County, GA. and the family was Ora Lee age 14; Clifford age 13; Erma age 7; W.H. age 4; Thelma age 2. The 1930 US Census listed "Doll" age 46 at 102 N. Washington Street and six male boarders within her household. The children were Erma age 17; William H. age 14; Thelma age 12. It was a large two story white wooden house and located one block from the business section of Quitman. She started operating a room and boarding house to provide for the four girls and one boy. She was a good seamstress, so that was additional income. Doll was a very small sweet grandmother and was one of the best in the kitchen. One thing for sure, oatmeal was included in the breakfast. Doll made a lot of the clothes for her grandchildren, Betty, Buddy, Eva Ruth and Annie Lee. There was no such thing as a electric sewing machine, she powered it with her foot.

Lee and Leslie married in 1922 and lived at 102 North Washington Street with her mother according to the 1926 Quitman City Directory published by Robert S. Bowers. Leslie and Ora Lee moved to Albany in October 1927. She did not like being away from her mother, sisters and brother, because she wanted to take care of them. After Erma graduated from Quitman High School in 1930, Ora Lee got her mother and family to moved to Albany and lived with her at 205 Residence Ave. Her mother [Lee Ora "Doll"], Erma, William H. (W. H.) and Thelma continued to live with Ora Lee and Leslie, when the family moved to 508 North Jackson Street. About 1936, Doll, Erma, W.H. and Thelma moved to 505 West Highland Ave in Albany and lived there until all the children married and moved to their residence. Doll continued to live at 505 until her death on August 28, 1940.

Ora Lee (Eason) Clanton died 05 May 1958, age 52 in Smyrna, Georgia of a heart attack, (Annie Lee her daughter lived in that city). She never met a stranger and made a lot of friends. Ora Lee was only about 5 ft. 2 ins. tall, loved to square dance, sing and she played the piano by ear. The music she loved was church hymns, such as "AMAZING GRACE AND ROCK OF AGES". She would drive 200 miles or more to a Gospel Sing and some were from sun down to sun up. The family never had an automobile, until their son Buddy bought a 1930 Model "A" Ford Coupe in February 1943. While Buddy was in the Navy, she learned to drive and one day driving to town on Jefferson St. the car stalled on the railroad tracks, that is located on Roosevelt Ave. She looks and the Central of Georgia (now Norfolk Southern) train was coming with the steam engine whistle blowing. She jumps out of the car and started to motion for them to stop, which the train did in plenty of time. The engine crew saw her and pushed the car clear of the tracks. They knew her and the car. Ora Lee was "Granny" and Leslie was "Papa" to the grandchildren.

Her funeral was at Byne Memorial Church with Dr. C. R. Pittard and Rev. Max Hill conducting the service at 2 p.m. on Friday.

More About ORA LEE EASON:

Burial: 09 May 1958, Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Dougherty County, GA.

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

Census: 16 Apr 1920, Brooks County, GA., Barney, GA. District

Death Record: 05 May 1958, Age 52, Certificate # 11967422

Residence: 05 May 1958, Albany, Dougherty County, GA.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (Ora Lee Clanton: accessed 23 August 2021 by Claude P Perry II), memorial page for Mrs Ora Lee Eason Clanton (23 Aug 1905–5 May 1958), Find a Grave Memorial ID 44180166, citing Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, USA ; Originally created by Leslie Buford "Buddy" Clanton (contributor 47201231); Maintained by H Rice (contributor 47431772) .
• Rootsweb, database (Leslie W. Clanton): accessed by Claude P Perry II); last updated: 07-28-2019 15:07:45. Owner: Buddy Clanton.
• Clanton, L. B. "Buddy". Descendants of John Clanton 1609. PDF file. February 20, 2011.