Eleanor Mae (Best) Mauldin
March 8, 1938 — June 8, 2014
Eleanor Mae (Best) Mauldin
Eleanor “Donda” Best Mauldin, passed way on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the age of 76 in Stockbridge, Georgia from a lengthy illness. And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
Eleanor came into this world on March 8, 1938 in Hazlehurst, Georgia as the first of five children born to the late Jack C. Best and the late Mary Helen Brown Best. At an early age she developed a love of teaching which led her to study and graduate cum laude from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. She continued her education at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, receiving her master’s degree, and then onto Georgia Southwestern where she received a special six year degree. Eleanor taught primary school in Rome, Georgia and then in McRae, Georgia for 23 years.
Eleanor had an enormous passion for history, teaching, and her community. Her love for history led her to serve as a Member of the Telfair County Pioneer Historical Society. As a dedicated educator, she served on the Board of Directors of the Telfair County Library, Board of Directors for the Ocmulgee Library, a member of the Philosophy of Education Society, and a sister in the Purple Nights Sorority at Wesleyan College. Living most of her life in McRae, Georgia, Eleanor was on the Advisory Council of the McRae Chamber of Commerce and was proud to serve our Lord as an Elder at McRae Presbyterian Church.
Eleanor’s tremendous love of her family and friends made it effortless for her to excel in the other great pleasures in her life. Among all the wonderful dishes and desserts she created, her pound cakes were known and highly sought after all over Telfair County and beyond. She was an avid gardener whose breathtaking yard was a showplace of magnolia trees, roses, camellias, and herbs. Eleanor was also an accomplished interior decorator.
She is survived by her son, Jeff Mauldin and his wife, Tracie, grandson Kane Wheelock, sister Jacquelyn Best Jones and husband Benny, brother George Best and wife Denise, brother Phil Best, Sr. and wife Cile, sister-in-law Grace Best, several nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and her beloved companion who was by her side at all times, Elijah, her poodle.
She was predeceased in death by her son, Ralph Turner Mauldin, and her brother, Jack C. Best, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 10:00 am at Vaughn Funeral Home in McRae and services will commence at 11:00am at McRae Presbyterian Church. Lay Minister Norwood Davidson will officiate with nephews Curry Best, Ben Jones, Phil Best, Jr., George Best, Kevin Wilmoth & Donald Wilmoth serving as pallbearers. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in McRae, Georgia with a reception immediately following at McRae Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, Eleanor had requested that donations be made to the McRae Presbyterian Church, 70 College St., McRae, GA 31055, or the Telfair County Library, 101 College St., McRae, GA 31055.
Eleanor came into this world on March 8, 1938 in Hazlehurst, Georgia as the first of five children born to the late Jack C. Best and the late Mary Helen Brown Best. At an early age she developed a love of teaching which led her to study and graduate cum laude from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. She continued her education at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, receiving her master’s degree, and then onto Georgia Southwestern where she received a special six year degree. Eleanor taught primary school in Rome, Georgia and then in McRae, Georgia for 23 years.
Eleanor had an enormous passion for history, teaching, and her community. Her love for history led her to serve as a Member of the Telfair County Pioneer Historical Society. As a dedicated educator, she served on the Board of Directors of the Telfair County Library, Board of Directors for the Ocmulgee Library, a member of the Philosophy of Education Society, and a sister in the Purple Nights Sorority at Wesleyan College. Living most of her life in McRae, Georgia, Eleanor was on the Advisory Council of the McRae Chamber of Commerce and was proud to serve our Lord as an Elder at McRae Presbyterian Church.
Eleanor’s tremendous love of her family and friends made it effortless for her to excel in the other great pleasures in her life. Among all the wonderful dishes and desserts she created, her pound cakes were known and highly sought after all over Telfair County and beyond. She was an avid gardener whose breathtaking yard was a showplace of magnolia trees, roses, camellias, and herbs. Eleanor was also an accomplished interior decorator.
She is survived by her son, Jeff Mauldin and his wife, Tracie, grandson Kane Wheelock, sister Jacquelyn Best Jones and husband Benny, brother George Best and wife Denise, brother Phil Best, Sr. and wife Cile, sister-in-law Grace Best, several nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and her beloved companion who was by her side at all times, Elijah, her poodle.
She was predeceased in death by her son, Ralph Turner Mauldin, and her brother, Jack C. Best, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 10:00 am at Vaughn Funeral Home in McRae and services will commence at 11:00am at McRae Presbyterian Church. Lay Minister Norwood Davidson will officiate with nephews Curry Best, Ben Jones, Phil Best, Jr., George Best, Kevin Wilmoth & Donald Wilmoth serving as pallbearers. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in McRae, Georgia with a reception immediately following at McRae Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, Eleanor had requested that donations be made to the McRae Presbyterian Church, 70 College St., McRae, GA 31055, or the Telfair County Library, 101 College St., McRae, GA 31055.
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