Polly Patricia Fuhrmann Clanton

For those us of born and raised in Covington, and for many of you “come heres’” it is with a heavy heart that we will tell you that “Old Covington” has lost another iconic member of the community. Polly Patricia “Pat” Fuhrmann Clanton has passed away. On June 25, 2025, Pat left us to join her family and friends. Pat was a touch over 96 when she left us.

While Covington has seen its fair share of flamboyant characters over the years, Pat Clanton certainly fits into that category, as evidenced by the photo above. She was always “dressed to the nines” and usually sported some sort of hat and/or scarf!

It will be hard to find a person who loved Covington more than she did. There was almost never a day that went by that someone would tell Patrick, Jewel, Michelle or myself some story or just a quick “tell Mrs. Pat I said hi!” She was a tireless booster of the City of Covington who continued her “work” after retiring from official service for Covington: always complimenting ALL city workers from the maintenance barn to the Fire and Police Departments, and all city employees!

A regular at Mattina Bella, Abita Roasting and many other breakfast haunts around town, she could be found holding court and still picking the minds of the citizens of Covington. Pat would drive around Covington after breakfast making sure that Covington was on the “right path” and continued to work with every Mayor and council member. Covington was her calling, and she always answered!

In 1979 she became the first woman to be appointed to the position of Executive Director for the Greater Covington Chamber of Commerce. She also served as the Business Manager of Playmaker’s Inc. and was a charter Member of that organization. She was an avid supporter of Animal Rights, supporting the St. Tammany Humane Society and the St. Tammany Animal Control Agency.

In 1987 Pat ran for public office and became the first woman to be elected to the Covington City Council and was reelected to that position again in 1991. She served District D for a period of 8 years and in 2003 became the first woman to hold the Council At Large position and also served as Council President.

Known as a Preservationist and local historian, she worked to restore and preserve several historical monuments in the community. In the late 80’s Pat led the movement to return Columbia Street Landing to the citizens of Covington as it had been closed to the public since the 1970’s. She referred to Columbia Street Landing as the Birthplace of Covington and maintained that it was the right of the people to enjoy the use of this area of historical significance. She was also instrumental in restoring the Gates to the Fairgrounds as well as the pillars at the entrance to the Bogue Falaya Park.

Pat was born on March 25, 1929. Her parents were Clara Pauline Frederick Fuhrmann and Charles Sidney “Sid” Fuhrmann. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Clanton, her brother Charles Brandon Fuhrmann, her sister Rosemerry Fuhrmann Hanian, and her nephew Christopher Hanian.

Pat is survived by her sons Brandon Clanton (Michelle), of Youngsville, LA, and Patrick Clanton (Jewel), of Covington, LA. Her grandsons Keegan Clanton, of Walker, LA, and Owen Clanton (Erin Clanton), of Lake Charles, LA, and her granddaughter, Heather Bourgeois, of Covington, LA. Great grandchildren include Owen and Erin’s children: Cullen, Ellie, Camilla and Cecille Clanton; as well as Kayla Bourgeois (Ryan), Brooke Autin (Cody), and Bailey Bourgeois (Robert). The great-great-grandchildren are Kayla’s children Lane and Bentley and Brooke’s children Scarlett and Levi.

Also surviving Pat is her nephew, Rosemerry’s son, Jonathan Hanian (Diane) and his children Gabrielle and Dimitri, of Boise, Idaho.

Information concerning the service and celebration of Patricia F. Clanton will be announced later.