Eleanor "Sookie" Byrd Fritts Green

Eleanor was born in 1927, daughter of the late Foy and Pauline Byrd. She graduated from Clayton High School in 1945. She married the late Robert S. Fritts of Montgomery, Alabama in 1948 and together they raised three children until his death in 1986. She married the late Aubrey B. Green of Clayton, Alabama in 1993 and they enjoyed their years together traveling and spending time with family and friends until his death in 2001.

Eleanor retired from her beloved Southern Living after more than 20 years. She was active in the American Business Women’s Association and was very involved with the First Presbyterian and Pleasant View Presbyterian Churches in Clayton, Alabama. Eleanor was a very kind and gentle soul; she had a loving and generous heart, and was always giving to others. She also loved the Auburn Tigers and was a member of the Auburn Alumni Association.

She was predeceased by her beloved husbands Robert S. Fritts and Aubrey B. Green, her Mother, Pauline Byrd, and her siblings, Robert Byrd, Edith Byrd Harrell, Charles “Chick” Byrd, and Martha Byrd Bush.

She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her children, Eugenia (Geni) Smith and her husband Jeff of Helena, Alabama, William (Bill) Fritts of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, and Joseph (Joe) Fritts and his wife Olga of Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren, Rhett Smith of Auburn, Alabama, James (JR) Smith of Orlando, Florida, and Michael Fritts of Columbia, South Carolina; loving sister, Mary Jane Culpepper and her husband Herman of Dothan, Alabama; and many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Special thanks to Kristi Lewis, Dawn Parham, and Sharon Harrison. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for your care and support of our Mimi. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

A time of visitation will be Monday, January 6,2014 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL

Funeral services for Eleanor will be Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home in Montgomery, AL with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery. A time of visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at White Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name may be made to Clayton Memorial Hall Restoration Fund at: The Clayton Record, c/o Rebecca Beasley, P.O. Box 69, Clayton, AL 36016.