Eleanor Deal Law

 Eleanor Deal Law, (83), of Clayton, Georgia, wife of Albert Keith Law, passed away at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia, on May 15, 2019. 

The eldest daughter of Homer Deal and Ida Sheffield Deal of Clayton, Eleanor was born on April 27, 1936. After graduating from Rabun County high school, she enrolled at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, in 1953, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Illustration and Dress Design, having made the Dean’s List three times. In 1963, she enrolled in the Pre-Pharmacy curriculum at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon completion of that program in 1965 she enrolled at the Mercer University School of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1968. 

Following her graduation from Wesleyan she worked as an assistant buyer for the Lord and Taylor department store chain in New York City for six years, responsible for purchasing merchandise for seven of the company’s suburban stores. A strong believer in education, during her time living in New York City she also took courses at the prestigious Hunter College and the Phos Institute of Real Estate. In 1962, she became the buyer for Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta, Georgia, responsible for buying merchandise for the company as well as training employees and other managerial duties. Upon graduating from Mercer University School of Pharmacy, she returned to her hometown to become the pharmacist at Deal’s Drug Store, founded by her pharmacist father, where she also assumed all management duties until her retirement in 2007.  

Eleanor was an active member in many local civic and professional organizations including the American Pharmaceutical Association, Georgia Pharmaceutical Association, Florida Pharmaceutical Association, National Association of Retail Druggists, Rabun County Chamber of Commerce, Clayton Merchant’s Association, the Woman’s Club of Clayton, Anita Roper Circle, the Clayton Baptist Church, Wesleyan Alumnae Association, the Mercer University Alumnae Association, and served as president of the Pilot Club of Clayton.

A strong believer of enriching the cultural experiences of the students of Rabun County, she served as a host family and regional representative for Youth for Understanding, a non-profit international educational organization that is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most respected intercultural student exchange programs. She hosted YFU students from France, Finland, Colombia, Denmark, and Japan.

Quick to offer help to anyone who needed it, Eleanor was also noted for her ready smile, cheerful and caring personality, and energy. Such was her personality that even those who only briefly came to know her formed life-long friendships.

Eleanor is survived by her husband, Albert Keith Law, daughter Deborah Law Fairchild of Alpharetta, Georgia, and sister Evelyn Deal Kirby of Swainsboro, Georgia; three grandchildren, Matthew Fairchild of Alpharetta, Sean Fairchild of Savannah, Georgia, and Laura Fairchild Williamson of Hong Kong; and two great-grandchildren Ember Fairchild and Camden Fairchild both of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 20, 2019 at 11:00 Am in Clayton Baptist Church with Dr. Jamie Archer and Rev. Joey Thompson presiding, Interment will follow in Rabun Memory Park Cemetery in Tiger, Ga. Visitation will take place at Beck Funeral Home on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

 Memorial donations in memory of Eleanor Deal Law may be made to Paws4Life Humane Shelter 261 E Boen Creek Rd, Tiger, GA 30576, Tiger, GA 30576.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.