Atha Alvin Claiborne

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Atha “Hat” Claiborne on Tuesday, August 8 at the age of 92. Atha was born April 13, 1931 to John Alvin and Emma Ethel Claiborne. He grew up in Tennessee, then moved to Bakersfield where he spent most of his adult life.Hat enjoyed fishing, camping, meeting new people and telling stories about his childhood. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. He always looked forward to family lunches and visits. He enjoyed gardening and he was always ensuring his house and cars were in great shape. Hat was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma, wife Carol, and siblings, Maudie Margret Reynolds, Ruth Neese, Frances “Frankie” Richardson, Johnie Davee, Dixie Kemp, and Grady Claiborne. He is survived by his siblings, Georgie Erickson, Dorothy “Dot” Morland, Kenneth and Everett Claiborne, his two children, Melinda Williams and Michael Claiborne, his three step-daughters Marie, Kathy, and Kellie, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.