Carla (McNair) Claymore

Carla McNair Claymore, 75 of Gainesville passed away at dawn on Monday October 8, 2018 after a long illness. 

She was an Angelina born on November 18, 1942, to Captain, later Colonel, Donald Carl McNair, U.S. Army, and Elizabeth Porter McNair, his wife.  At the time of her birth, Carla's father was stationed with the anti-aircraft artillery in the Panama Canal Zone.  As an Army brat Carla lived many places in the U.S. and in Japan. 

When it was time for her to select a college, her father was stationed at Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA.  She selected Longwood College in Farmville, VA to study education.  She graduated in 1964 and fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.  On D Day 1965, she married Ensign Peter Gayton Claymore and became a Navy officer's wife.  She continued to teach until they were transferred to New York.  After taking some time off for the birth of her child and some health problems, she returned to work at Sears Roebuck, later becoming one of the top sales people in the country, and retiring as Home Fashions Merchant for the Washington, DC district. 

Upon retirement she and Peter moved to Gainesville, GA to be near their son and family so she could watch her grandchildren grow and was proud to see them become capable, talented young people.  In Gainesville, she was active in social, civic and creative activities.  She loved doing needlework and was adept at it.  She also enjoyed travel, reading, learning, and politics as long as she was physically able. 

Carla is survived by Peter, her husband of 53 years; son Carl Craig Claymore; daughter-in-law, Jaime Claire Madsen Claymore; granddaughter, Sophia Rene Claymore; grandson, Connor James Claymore; sister, Donna Lyons and family and brother, John McNair and family.

Carla was cremated and will ultimately be laid to rest in the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery where her parents are interred. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday October 27 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to service time. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Carla's memory to the National Kidney Foundation or to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in honor of Carla's angel rescue poodle, Pepper.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carla (McNair) Claymore, please visit our floral store.