Eleanor H. Harvey

Mrs. Eleanor H. Harvey died on Friday, December 21, 2012, at her home while surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. with Roselawn Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Decatur City Cemetery.

Mrs. Harvey was born June 23, 1917, in Limestone County, AL, to Ransom Harvey Hafley and Mary Irene Riddle Hafley. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 37 years, Thomas C. Harvey; her sister, Mary Marvalene Shaw; and her stepdaughter, Gaye Harvey Phillips of Ft. Worth, TX.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Eleanor Harvey Claborn (Ronald) of Decatur; her grandchildren, Cynthia Claborn Stevens (Darryl) of Alvin, TX, and Rebecca Claborn Weaver of Decatur; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Marie Weaver of Decatur and Nathan Hume Stevens of Alvin, TX.

Mrs. Harvey was a lifelong educator in the Decatur City School System. At the end of her junior year at Florence State Teachers' College, now the University of North Alabama, she was offered a job teaching third grade at Lafayette Street School in the Decatur School System. She obtained her BS degree from UNA by attending school for three consecutive summers. She taught five years at Lafayette Street School, six years at Joe Wheeler, one year in Veteran's School, one year at West Decatur Elementary School, three years at Decatur High School, where she thoroughly enjoyed being the Senior Class Sponsor, and, finally, 27 years as the Principal of Walter Jackson Elementary School during which time she obtained her Masters Degree in Education and her AA Certificate in Supervision and Curriculum Development with Certification in Administration from the University of Alabama.

Mrs. Harvey was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church from the time she entered the Harvey family in 1940. She was a devoted member as an elder, a Sunday school teacher, and librarian. A highpoint for her was when the Westminster library was named in her honor.

The family sends special regards to Southern Rural and Amedisys Home Healthcare agencies for the loving care given to Mrs. Harvey following her hip surgery in 2010. Hospice Of The Valley provided comfort and support to the family during her final days. Memorials may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hospice Of The Valley, or your favorite charity .