Ellen Claiborne, age 77, departed this life Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at a local hospital.

She was born Oct. 12, 1941 in Washburn, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Leota Blankenhagen; brother, Gary Ray Davidson; and grandson, James Alden Mosher.

Ellen was involved in caring for children since her first child was born in 1961. She taught kindergarten at Central Church of Christ before the state instituted kindergarten in public schools. She served in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for Dalton schools from 1965 to 1973, then for schools in Whitfield County for many years in a variety of positions. She also served the Georgia and national PTA in a number of roles, most prominently as state president for 1980-81. Ellen was also the band booster president at Northwest Whitfield High School from 1975 to 1984.

Ellen was public relations director for Whitfield County Schools for 18 years, starting as a volunteer and moving into a full-time position. Following that, she started her own publishing business, Claiborne Express-It, working with many clients on writing and layout. The last 10 years of her life she published an online newsletter, the EncourageNet, for East Ridge Church of Christ in Chattanooga.

She was a constant learner, loving everything about technology. After raising her four children, she attended Dalton State College, West Georgia College and Covenant College, getting her degree in 1991.

Ellen was awarded the Dalton/Whitfield Woman of the Year award for 1977.

In the last years of her life, she wrote a memoir entitled "Rocky Times: A Life of Struggle, Family and Faith," to be published later in 2018.

She loved and cared about people, taking care of many in her home. Most of all she loved the Lord and serving Him with her husband, Lucien, for 59 years. And she was forever thankful for her four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Arrangement by locally owned and operated Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706) 226-4002 "Funerals, Cremations, Cemeteries, Florists" YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME"