Joe M. Clanton

Joe M. Clanton Joe M. Clanton, 87 of Lakeland went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday evening November 3, 2015 after a long battle with heart failure. He was born January 13, 1928 in Wilmar, Arkansas, the son of Ezekiel and Zella Clanton. Raised in Arkansas, he married his high school sweetheart, Joann with whom he was married for over 40 years. He graduated from Arkansas State College with a B.S. degree in Education. He went on to the University of Mississippi where he received a Master""s Degree in Education with a major in Administration. Joe began his career in public education as a Teacher in McCrory, Arkansas from 1949 to 1952. He was Lead Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director in Gray Ridge Missouri from 1953 to 1955. After moving to Lakeland in 1955, Joe was a Teacher, football and tennis Coach at Lakeland High School from 1955 to 1959. In 1959 he was appointed the Area Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Safety for the Lakeland area schools. In 1964 he assumed the position of County Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Driver Education. In 1966 he was appointed to the position of Supervising Principal over-seeing the Fort Meade, Bartow and Mulberry area schools. In 1969 he became Assistant Director of Personnel. In 1970 he was appointed Director of Non-Instructional Personnel and held this position until he retired on January 29, 1993. A life-long educator, Joe""s career in Education spanned over 43 years. Not long after coming to Lakeland, Joe and his family joined the First United Methodist Church where he was a faithful member and regularly attended church services. He looked forward with excitement to attending the services each Sunday to worship his Lord and Savior. Joe was a family man at heart, always finding time to spend with his loved ones. He had compassion for helping family and others in need. Joe believed in treating everyone with kindness, care and compassion. An extremely caring and sharing man, Joe always had a kind word for those he met. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. He was genuinely interested in the people he came in contact with and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He had a special place in his heart for those in need and ""the little man"". Outside of his career in education Joe has a passion for spending time in the great outdoors observing everything Mother Nature had to offer. He loved camping, hunting and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and thoroughly enjoyed spending time in remote woodlands. He enjoyed observing wildlife and all the many plants and trees found in the woods. It was during these times that he found inner peace and tranquility. Joe often commented that he could see his Maker""s work and feel his presence during these times. He was an avid gardener and planting and raising all types of plants. Among his favorites were azaleas, camellias, crepe myrtles, oak trees, dogwood and magnolia trees. Joe never lost ties to his family in Arkansas and would make trips back there for family reunions whenever he could. He especially enjoyed the hunting trips with family members in Arkansas. Preceded in death by his wife of over 40 years, Joann Browning Clanton; as well as his parents. He is survived by his sons Scott (Sue), Jon (Yvonne), James (Valarie); sister Lucille Morgan; grandchildren Robert (Gail) Clanton, Katie (Joshua) Burton, Michael, Anna, Steve, Sam, Shad, Sarah, and Selah Clanton all of Lakeland; great grandchildren Waylon and Wyatt Burton of Lakeland; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Monday, November 9, 5-7 p.m. at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S. Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL., 33801. A service of celebration and remembrance will be held Tuesday, November 10 at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL., 33801. In lieu of flowers any donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. Service: 11/10/2015 First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center Visitation: 11/09/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center