Douglas Claiborne

Douglas Durand Claiborne, 73, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the Veteran’s Nursing Home in Murfreesboro, Tn. He was born May 15, 1950 in Nashville to the late Leslie Claiborne and Druella Baker Claiborne. He graduated from Columbia Central in 1968, attended Columbia State Community College and Hohenwald Technical Training School.

Services will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation begins at noon until time for the service at 2:00. Burial following at the Polk Memorial Gardens. Family members will officiate.

Doug was a laborer and enjoyed working hard. He started working at an early age running a paper route, seven days a week, for The Tennessean and The Nashville Banner newspapers for many years, buying his first car before he was old enough to drive. Other jobs included working for the State of Tennessee Highway Department, landscaping, and the Georgia Boot Factory. Additional skills including welding and woodworking. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army. He was of the Christian faith.

Doug was people-person. He loved talking and joking around with anyone and had an infectious laugh. He was also read every word of the three newspapers we got at home each day. He was well read with a major interest in history.

Doug is survived by his mother, Dru Claiborne, Sisters, Peggy (Tommy) McEwen and Dawn (Bill) Yelverton, all of Columbia. Nieces: Kami (Billy) Thurman (Santa Fe) and Danielle Claiborne (Oregon). Nephew: Neil (Elizabeth) Webb, (Brentwood). Great-nieces: Hayley Thurman and Addison Webb. Great-nephews: Billy Thurman III, Brady Thurman, Maddox Webb and Tyler Webb. Also survived by several step-nieces and step-nephews.   

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Claiborne, brothers Steven and Greg Claiborne. Grandparents: Harvey and Zora (Snyder) Claiborne; and James and Lola (McGiboney) Baker.

The family would like to express our many thanks and appreciation for the amazing care he received from the VA Nursing Home in Murfreesboro. We are grateful for those who took care of him for so many years: Dr Joyline James and her staff, social workers Fran and Leslie, nurses, therapists, and all other individuals, both current and retired, of the VA CLC West. 

Pallbearers include: Neil Webb, Tommy McEwen, Bill Yelverton, Billy Thurman II, Billy Thurman III, Brady Thurman, Chris McEwen, and Logan McEwen. Honorary pallbearers are the staff of VA Community Living Center West of Murfreesboro, Tn.

Memorials may be made to The Fisher House Foundation, Inc for the Murfreesboro House, P. O. Box 11693, Murfreesboro, Tn. 37129. This home is a temporary place to stay for out-of-town family members of veterans who are currently residing at the VA campus, who are there for surgery, or emergency services.