Otis Lee Clanton

Obituary: Otis Lee (Mr. Lee) Clanton, 90, of Kannapolis died Monday Jan. 11, 2010 at his home. He was born March 19, 1919 in Chesterfield County, SC, the son of the late Rev. Duncan and Crete Sims Clanton. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and E.A. (Joe) Clanton and a sister, Mildred Clanton. He had lived in the Bloomington/Normal, Illinois area most of his lifetime working at Johnny Martin Chevrolet and then later at Ben Mynatt Chevrolet in Concord. He had 45 years in the automotive management career. He was a Mason for 30 years being a member of Bloomington Masonic Lodge # 43 in Bloomington, Bloomington Consistory, AASR, Lodge Council Chapter Consistory, Valley of Bloomington and the Oasis Shrine Temple of Charlotte. He was a veteran of WW II serving in the US Army Air Corp and a member of the American Legion. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Kannapolis where he was a member of the greeting, counting and active membership committees and the Rev. Norman Brisson Sunday school class. He was a past member of First Christian Church in Bloomington, Ill. He enjoyed spending time with his family, antique car restoration and gardening. Funeral services will be 2:30 PM Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Dr. Tom Cabaniss. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 prior to the service at Whitley's. He is survived by his wife Doris Shaver Clanton, two daughters: Patricia Evelyn Sopper of McLean, Ill. and Sandra Lee Niepagen of Bloomington, Ill., two step-daughters: Loretta Jayne Powell (William) of Cary and Alison Leigh Freeman of Charlotte, three brothers: Earl V. Clanton of Asheboro, Bruce Clanton (Linda) of Concord and Don Clanton (Shirley Brooks) of Kannapolis, 6 grandchildren: Kimberly D. Miller (Eric) of Congerville, Ill., Kristine M. Palencia of Kailua, Hi., Mary A. Ring (Kevin) of Virginia, Ill., Stacy E. Lupcho (Albert III) of St. Augustine, Fl., Jamie Leigh Peters (Scott) of Normal, Ill., and Jeffrey Lee Niepagen (Stacy) of Bloomington, Ill., 4 step-grandchildren: Adam, Aaron, Abby and Austin Powell all of Cary, 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund 101 N. Main Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1:30 to 2:30 pm, January 15, 2010, at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:30 pm, Friday, January 15, 2010, at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park