Dorothy Nell (Tanner) Claxton

Dorothy Nell Claxton, 77, of Tennille passed away on April 5, 2025, at Heritage Inn surrounded by family following an extended illness.

Dorothy was born on July 28, 1947, to the late Bennie Ivey Tanner and Mary Lizzie Garner Tanner.  She was raised in the Bartow area of Johnson County near New Home Community and attended school in Wrightsville.  She was the 6th of 13 children.  She married Otis Claxton, and they had two children, Kimberly and Otis, Jr. before they divorced.  She often stated her greatest joy was being a mother and caring for her children.

Dorothy was a warm and loving person.  She had a smile that could light up a room and a charismatic personality.  She also had a wonderful sense of humor as well and was a big fan of Elvis.  Dorothy grew up in a large family and always enjoyed spending time with her brothers and sisters and their children.  She enjoyed cooking and was often asked to make her homemade fudge, cornbread dressing, potato salad and chicken and dumplings for family gatherings.  She resided most of her life in Kite and Wrightsville but spent 13 years in Alaska living in Fairbanks near her daughter and son-in-law before returning to Georgia in 2023.  She loved Alaska and felt very much at home there in the land of the midnight sun. She was a Georgia peach in the last frontier.  Everyone loved her sweet southern accent, and she made many friends there.

Dorothy worked at Keller Industries in Swainsboro for several years as a weaver and assembler and at Crowntex in Wrightsville as an inspector in the textile industry.  She was a very detailed worker and always took pride in her work.  She medically retired in 1987.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; son, Otis Claxton, Jr.; grandson, Travis Claxton; brothers, Billy Tanner, Roy Tanner, J.W. Tanner, Donald Tanner, Fred Tanner, Cecil Tanner, Mickey Tanner; sisters, Mary Ann Fanning, Barbara Edwards, Judy White and Lynn Harrell.

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Nesbitt (Eric) of Tennille; grandchildren, Brandi Claxton (Preston) of Mitchell, Otis Claxton III (Daphne) of Sandersville; great-grandchildren, NaKayla, Layla, Alanna, Daylen, Zeaveah, Kylee, Travis; sister, Betty Jackson of Wrightsville; several nieces, nephews and a special niece, Krystal Edwards of Wrightsville, who spent many hours with her providing great comfort.

The family would like to thank Affinis Hospice for her care at the end of life.  We would also like to thank all of the caregivers with Scott Health and Rehabilitation, Heritage Inn and Denali Center for the care given over the years.  A special thanks to Natalie Cozmulici for being so kind to Dorothy and going above and beyond in caring for her.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Mr. Jamey Toler officiating.

The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to services.

Interment will be in Kite City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Tanner, Tyler Tanner, Don Tanner, Nick Tanner, Scottie Tanner and Johnny Weaver.

Honorary Pallbearers are Ben Garnto and Brian Garnto.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Dorothy Nell Claxton, 77, of Tennille.