Fall/Winter 1999 - Remembering Hal Clements

Hal Williamson Clements: A Life of Service
March 9, 1915 - October 13, 1999

Hal Williamson Clements, a founding DGH Board of Directors member, died on October 13 from complications following a stroke. In 1998, writing to invite friends and family to join him at a birthday dinner, he wrote of his life: "The route I have taken has been circuitous and varied. It has been rich and marked by the association with many people from various walks of life. I have been blessed with a good heritage, a loving devoted wife and children. So who could ask for more?"

Mr. Clements was born on March 9, 1915, in Rockmart, Georgia. He began his education at Georgia Teachers’ College (now Georgia Southern University) and received his degrees from the University of Georgia, B.S.Ed. (1938) and M.S.Ed.(1941). He met his wife, Cherry Waldrep Clements, while they were both attending UGA graduate school as Rosenwald Scholars. He volunteered for the US Navy and served four years, in Norfolk, Bermuda and Chicago.

Mr. Clements devoted his professional life to public school education, first as a classroom teacher in Polk County and Hinesville, Georgia, and as principal in Guyton, Claxton, Waynesboro and Canton, Georgia. He joined the Georgia State Department of Education in 1958 as State Director of Curriculum Development and also served as State Director of Instructional Materials and Library Services and as State Director of Administrative Services. In 1965, he joined Harper & Row Publishers, but he returned to public education in 1975 as Assistant Principal at Renfroe Middle School, Decatur City Schools. He retired in 1980.

Following retirement, Mr. Clements had a full career as a volunteer. He served on the Boards of Directors of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Doctors for Global Health, The Methodist Federation for Social Action, Georgia United Methodist Committee on Higher Education and Campus Ministry, North Decatur Methodist Church and Wesley Community Center. He was most proud of his service to Meals on Wheels where he delivered meals for 19 years. He personally organized an aluminum can collecting project, donating the proceeds each year to one of the social action groups he supported. Following a heart attack in 1988, Mr. Clements joined the Emory Heart Health Program and was an active participant for eleven years.

In 1989, Mr. and Mrs. Clements were jointly recognized as Alumnus of the Year in the Field of Education by Georgia Southern University in 1992. They were jointly awarded a Volunteer Service Award by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Red Bird Mission, HC 69, Box 700, Beverly, KY 40913 or Appalachian Women’s Alliance, Dir. Meredith Dean, POB 688, Floyd, VA 24091 or North Decatur United Methodist Church, 1523 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030.

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