Druella Claiborne

Mrs. Druella (Dru) Maye Baker Claiborne, 95, passed away at Poplar Estates, Columbia, Tn. on November 17, 2023. Born November, 11, 1928 in Rock Island, Tn to the late James Ausker Baker and the late Ather Lola McGiboney Baker, she was the sixth of eight children. She was married for 63 years to the late Leslie Ernest Claiborne, marrying on November 8, 1947.

Services will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation will begin at 10:00 with services at Noon. Burial will be in the Polk Memorial Gardens. Services will be conducted by family members.

Mrs. Claiborne graduated from McMinnville Central High School in 1945 at age 16, where she was on the basketball team. She continued her education taking clerical courses at the Watkins Business Institute Night School.

She was a homemaker. She also worked part-time selling Avon and Sarah Coventry jewelry, worked as a hostess at Holiday Inn and James K Polk Motels, the Drug Center and as a Welcome Wagon representative. She attended First United Methodist Church and later Riverside United Methodist Church.

Her hobbies included: Wagon Wheelers square dancing, line dancing, clogging, bowling, flower gardening, swimming, and travel. She was a Girl Scout Troup 350 leader and supported her children in their sports, band and church activities.

Survivors include daughters: Peggy (Tommy) McEwen and Dawn (Bill) Yelverton, both of Columbia. Grandchildren: Kami (Billy) Thurman (Santa Fe), Neil (Elizabeth) Webb (Brentwood), Danielle Claiborne (Oregon). Step-grandchildren: Chris (Mandy) McEwen (Santa Fe) and Kristie (Brandon) Sullivan (Fairview). Great grandchildren: Hayley Thurman, Billy Thurman, III, Brady Thurman, Maddox Webb, Tyler Webb, Addison Webb and several step great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Claiborne was predeceased by her sons: Douglas Claiborne, Steven Claiborne and Gregory Claiborne. She was also predeceased by all of her siblings: Grady (Velma) Baker, Johnnie (Helen) Baker, Malchus (Vera) Baker, Josie (Fulton) Oliver, Ivena (Houston) Hitchcock, Clifton Baker and infant sister.

The family would like to express our many thanks and appreciation for the care she received from the dedicated staff of Poplar Estates. We are grateful to those who cared for our mother for so many years. The family would also like to thank Compassus Hospice.  

Pallbearers include: Tommy McEwen, Bill Yelverton, Neil Webb, Billy Thurman II, Billy Thurman III, Brady Thurman, Chris McEwen and Logan McEwen.