Perry Leland Clanton, Jr.

Perry Leland Clanton, Jr., 82, of Hahira died Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Langdale Hospice House after a long courageous battle with leukemia. He was born on April 5, 1929 in Hahira to the late Perry Leland Clanton, Sr. and Hattie Coppage Clanton. Leland lived most of his life in Hahira and the surrounding area. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Coast Guard and served four and half years. He was retired from Moody Air Force Base, where he worked Civilian Personnel as Supervisory Personnel Management Specialist for twenty seven years. After retirement he worked as consultant for the Office of Personnel Management. He accepted the position as Hahira's first City Manager and held that position for seven years. In 1993 he was elected mayor of Hahira and resigned in 1995 due to his health. He served on Hahira City Council 1973-1975. He previously served on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority for two terms, Georgia Municipal Association Finance Committee, Greater Valdosta-Lowndes Strategic Planning Committee and was a charter member of the Hahira Historical Society.

He was a member of the Hahira First Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Trustee. He and his wife, Jeanette were the owners and managers of the Sissy Shop (Ladies Apparel) and Sissy Shop Too (Gift Shop) in Hahira for thirty seven years. He was an inspiration to many and contributed much to the community he loved.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Plaire Clanton of Hahira, his son, Mike Clanton of Atlanta, his granddaughter and grandson in law Jessica C. and Travis Cain of Evans, GA., his great grandson, Charles Perry Cain of Evans, GA., sister and brother in law, Jewel C. and Ed Howard of Tallahassee, Fla., brother in law, Jimmy Plaire of Valdosta, two sisters in law, Mabel P. Credille of Valdosta and Betty Hall of Hahira, many devoted nieces, nephews and special friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Perry Michael Clanton, Jr., sister, Louise C. Wilkinson and two brothers, LeRoy Clanton and Arvell Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the Hahira First Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Friendship Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, P. O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603-1727, Hahira First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 555, Hahira, GA 31632 or to the Perry M. Clanton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, 150 Williams Road, Statesboro, GA 30458. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.mclanecares.com. Martin/McLane Funeral Home of Hahira.


Funeral Home:
Martin/McLane Funeral Home
401 S. Church Street
Hahira, GA
US 31632