Elizabeth Anna Clawson Baughn, better known as "Betty", 92, of Lake City, died Sunday night December 25, 2011 in the Lake City Medical Center following a lengthy illness. She was born in Newton, New Jersey on April 6, 1919 and in about 1923 moved with her family to Florida, settling in Miami to experience both the 1925 and 1926 devastating Florida Hurricanes. Leaving Miami the family settled in Lake City. In 1939 she graduated from Columbia County High School. She was an accomplished artist, excelling in fabric weaving and in the use of watercolors and pen and ink drawings.

During the War years Mrs. Baughn worked at the Lake City Naval Air Station for the U.S. Navy and a civil construction firm building the base. She worked at Soldwell's Jewelry. She graduated business school and worked as a secretary at the First United Methodist Church, the Forest Ranger School and the Veteran's Administration Hospital. For years following she had a children's daycare center on Baya Avenue in Lake City.
At one point she worked as the youth coordinator at the United Methodist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Mrs. Baughn attended the University of Florida receiving her degree in Art Education teaching in the area schools and then in adult education at the Lake City Community College from which she retired. She was appointed to head the adult literacy program in it's infancy for Lake City and for years following loved mentoring to younger children with learning disabilities. She was a member of the Anglican Church and was an avid member of the "Gator Nation" and alumni association.
Mrs. Baughn is preceded in death by her father, William Hampton Clawson, mother, Elsie Maroy Dunn Clawson, husband, Willard William Baughn, son, Rev. Willard Timothy Baughn and grandchildren, Dawn Anna Tison and Spencer Allen Baughn.
She is survived by her son, Willard Ronald Baughn (Judy) and daughters, Yvonne Elizabeth Tison of Lake City, FL and Teresa Maeroy Shokat (Behyar) of Dunedin, FL and daughter in law Marcia Baughn of Bronson, FL. grandchildren, Ronald Tracy Baughn (Cindy), Trenton Chase Baughn (Kricket), Milaura Spelman (Jason), Drew Baughn (Jamie), Dr. Daniel Baughn (Marisa), Dana Tison, Dr. Max Shokat (Kristin) and Alexander Shokat, and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Emma Clawson Lowe of Key West, FL and Isabel Clawson Wolfe of Tallahassee, FL and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011 in the chapel of Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home with the Reverend Michael LaCagnina officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, December 29, 2011 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. If you like, charitable donations can be made to the Veterans Organization of your choice. GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 South U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida 32025, (386) 752-1954 is in charge of arrangements. Please leave words of love and encouragement for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com