Viewed: 2,484

Clara N. (Mills) Exum

Clara Nell (Mills) Exum was born September 2, 1942, and peacefully entered her eternal home on September 27, 2026. She grew up in the farming community of Hartford, Alabama, and later made her home in Cottonwood. Clara worked for many years with General Telephone & Electronics (GTE), beginning her career as an operator and later serving in Dispatch before her retirement.

She was a faithful member of Memphis Baptist Church. After many years in Cottonwood, Clara became a resident of Westside Terrace, where she made many friends and was lovingly cared for during her residency.

Clara’s greatest joys in life were spending time with her family and friends, tending to her yard, and watching the birds she loved so dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Laurett Misstledine Mills and Thomas Jeter Mills; her brother, William Jerome “Bill” Mills; her husband, Ladon “Don” Exum; and her son, Paul Wayne Harrison.

She is survived by her children, Sherry McNeill and her favorite son-in-law, Pat, and John Williams and his wife, Darlene. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kelly Hart and her husband, Chad, Kendra Taylor, John Michael Williams, and Declan Williams; her great-grandchildren, Madelyn Taylor Sasser and her husband, Anthony, Hank Johnson, Marlie Johnson, Bohdi Hart, Jack Williams; and her great-great-grandchildren, Brinley Sasser and Bennett Sasser.

Clara is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth “Beth” Bottoms and her husband, Ronnie; her niece, Amy Schutz and her husband, David; and her nephews, Ron “Andy” Bottoms and Steven Mills.

A service to celebrate Clara’s life will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., at Glover Funeral Home, with Bro. Billy Rich officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m., at Glover Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford.