Roots in Perry Georgia Where a Warrior First Bloomed
I have long believed that the most powerful stories hide in plain sight among those who never chase fame. Tina Clarington born Celestine Roberts stands as one such quiet force. She entered the world in the Perry Georgia area just before her younger sister Deborah arrived in 1960. Life in that close knit household carried the weight of segregation and tight finances yet it forged unbreakable spirits. Tina grew up surrounded by siblings in a family of nine children total. From an early age she showed the caregiving heart that would define her decades later. She met Lawrence Clarington in eighth grade at a time when school hallways still echoed with the rhythms of a pre integration South. Their connection sparked instantly like two flames joining to light a steady path forward.
The Clarington Family Tree A Web of Love and Legacy
Family forms the very core of who Tina Clarington is. I see her as the steady center in a constellation of relatives who span generations and miles. Her parents Benjamin Ben Roberts and Ruth Roberts built the foundation. Ben ran his own business until his passing after 2006 while Ruth navigated arthritis and later dementia with quiet grace. Tina married her eighth grade sweetheart Lawrence Deacon Lawrence Clarington on a sunny day in 1976. He was born June 15 1954 in nearby Fort Valley and passed January 29 2022 at age 67 after more than 45 years together. Lawrence an all star athlete deacon and community leader left a void that the family still feels.
Tina and Lawrence raised three daughters who now anchor the next generation. Their children include Nikia Jason Hester living in Port Wentworth Georgia Magdalyn Clarington in Byron Georgia and Alicia Clarington in Perry Georgia. By 2022 the couple had welcomed at least six grandchildren named McGarrett Scott Jr. Jalen Clarington Makia Clarington Jayden Hester Janae Hester and Jaxson Carter plus the beloved grandpup Bailey Jade. These young lives carry forward the laughter and strength Tina instilled.
Her siblings number among the most cherished threads in this tapestry. As one of roughly seven to eight sisters Tina shares a bond that time and trials only deepen. The sisters include Annette Roberts the oldest who passed in July 2022 after battling Alzheimers dementia. Bonita Kevin Sr. Jackson Janet Jim Davis Belinda Patrick Spellman Deborah Al Roker the ABC News correspondent and Lizzie Alden Washington round out the core group along with Bernice also known as Minister Bernice Sturkey. In 2025 Deborah captured their shared history in her book Sisters Loved and Treasured. The pages pulse with stories of rivalries support and laughter that have sustained them through every season.
To bring clarity here is a snapshot of the immediate family circle I have come to appreciate through Tina Claringtons story.
| Relation | Name | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | Lawrence Clarington | Married 1976 died January 29 2022 at age 67 |
| Daughter 1 | Nikia Jason Hester | Lives in Port Wentworth Georgia |
| Daughter 2 | Magdalyn Clarington | Lives in Byron Georgia |
| Daughter 3 | Alicia Clarington | Lives in Perry Georgia |
| Grandchildren | Six named plus grandpup | McGarrett Scott Jr. Jalen Makia Jayden Janae Jaxson Carter and Bailey Jade |
| Oldest Sister | Annette Roberts | Passed July 2022 after Alzheimers battle |
| Younger Sister | Deborah Al Roker | ABC News journalist |
This table barely scratches the surface. Extended in laws from the large Clarington clan and nieces nephews scattered across Georgia Texas and Florida keep the circle vibrant and tight.
Career Path and the Quiet Achievements That Matter Most
Tina Clarington developed a career in insurance. She retired after nine years at Perry’s Greenway Insurance Agency. Her colleagues praised her dedication on her last day. The numbers tell part of the story. Nine years in a tiny firm may seem modest, but it shows a woman who turned up reliably while managing family. She balanced that duty with unpaid caregiving, which I respect. She became her aged parents’ primary support in Perry in 2006. She handled frequent doctor appointments and emotional strains during her father’s colon cancer battle and her mother’s dementia. Those years included hundreds of humble acts of service no paycheck could measure.
Her own accomplishments shine brighter. Tina defended the family amid emergencies. After Lawrence died, she confronted her cancer diagnosis with determination. She rang the hospital bell after therapy in August 2023. Family members lined the corridors that day, spreading love and cheers. A net of three daughters, six grandchildren, and surviving siblings ensnared her. Such moments remind me that success is measured in heartbeats, not bucks. Her story lacks celebrity wealth and expensive investments. Tina lived simply in Perry Fort Valley her whole life, valuing people over things.
Navigating Loss Illness and the Bonds That Hold Firm
Early 2022 brought a stunning storm of loss. Lawrence died unexpectedly at 67 on January 29. Tina and her high school lover had been together for over 40 years. She struggled with grief but relied on her daughters and sisters. After a long illness, older sister Annette died in July 2022. Two hits in a year could have broken anyone. Instead, Tina continued.
The cancer experience tested her more. By August 2023, she had overcome treatments and won. I see it clearly. Her family clapped and hugged in hospital halls. Not merely a medical milestone. After 45 years of marriage, three daughters, and many family gatherings, it was another chapter. Tina faced financial hardships, parental caregiving, widowhood, and illness throughout segregation. Her trials built her strength like ancient tree rings.
The Sisterhood That Lights the Way
Nothing captures Tina Claringtons world more than the sisterhood she shares with Deborah and the others. They grew up as seven or eight sisters in that Perry household. Rivalries flared as in any big family yet support always won. Deborah has spoken often of Tina as the one who stayed closest to their roots. In 2006 while others lived farther away Tina handled the daily care for Ben and Ruth. That devotion set the tone for later years. When cancer struck in the early 2020s the sisters rallied. They turned hospital visits into celebrations of life. Their 2025 book project highlighted these ties with photos and stories that span six decades. I see their connection as a river carving through time steady and powerful.
An Extended Timeline of Milestones and Turning Points
Timelines help me grasp the full arc of a life. Here is Tina Claringtons journey laid out with key dates and numbers that reveal her enduring spirit.
| Year or Period | Event | Impact on Family and Life |
|---|---|---|
| Pre 1960 | Born Celestine Roberts in Perry Georgia area | Joined family of nine children |
| Late 1960s | Met Lawrence Clarington in eighth grade | Sparked 45 plus year partnership |
| 1976 | Married Lawrence while he attended Valdosta State College | Began life as husband and wife |
| 1980s to 2000s | Raised three daughters in Perry Byron Fort Valley region | Built core family unit |
| 2006 | Served as primary caregiver for parents Ben and Ruth | Handled colon cancer and dementia care |
| 2010s | Worked nine years at Greenway Insurance Agency before retiring | Balanced career with family duties |
| January 29 2022 | Lawrence passed at age 67 | Family mourned after 45 years together |
| July 2022 | Sister Annette passed after Alzheimers battle | Second loss in six months |
| August 2023 | Completed cancer treatment phase and rang the bell | Family lined hallways in support |
| October 21 2025 | Featured in sister Deborahs book Sisters Loved and Treasured | Celebrated sisterhood across decades |
| 2026 onward | Continues as family anchor in Perry area | Supported by three daughters and six grandchildren |
These dates paint a portrait of resilience measured in decades not days.
FAQ
How is Tina Clarington related to the journalist Deborah Roberts?
Tina Clarington is the older sister of Deborah Roberts. They share the same parents and grew up together in Perry Georgia as part of a large sibling group. Their bond has remained a constant through every chapter of life.
How many children and grandchildren does Tina Clarington have?
Tina has three daughters Nikia Magdalyn and Alicia. As of 2022 she had at least six grandchildren. The family also includes a beloved grandpup showing how love extends to every member four legged or otherwise.
What career did Tina Clarington pursue before retirement?
She worked for nine years at Greenway Insurance Agency in the Perry area. Her role reflected steady local service while she prioritized family caregiving duties that defined much of her adult life.
What major personal challenges has Tina Clarington faced in recent years?
She lost her husband Lawrence on January 29 2022 after 45 years of marriage. She then battled cancer completing a key treatment phase in August 2023. Through both she drew strength from her three daughters and close knit sisters.
What role does family play in Tina Claringtons daily world?
Family sits at the absolute center. From raising three daughters to caregiving for parents in 2006 to leaning on siblings during illness Tina has built her life around these relationships. They form the foundation that holds firm no matter the storm.
