Lois Strickland Claxton

Lois Elaine Strickland Claxton, age 73, “graduated with honors into the Kingdom of Heaven” as her father would have said, on Monday, October 29, 2012. Lois was born December 18, 1938, in Wilmington, Delaware. Lois grew up in Martinsburg, WV, the daughter of the Rev. Harry Merrill and Miriam Camperson Strickland. She graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1956 and moved to Washington, DC to work as a secretary. While working there, she met her lifelong love, Tom Claxton, and they were married June 19, 1959. She always said that Tom was her rock during the last years of her battle with MS. He took care of her at home. She is survived by: a son, Tony Claxton, and his son Anthony G Claxton; a daughter, Star C Hudson (Roger) and her son Trent V Johnson; a special daughter, Theresa Arrington (Joe) and their son Jonathan, who passed in 2008, and Jonathan’s daughter, Addison; all of Mobile; a sister, Bernice Folta (Philip) of Harrisonburg, VA; a brother, Harry Merrill Strickland, Jr. (Bunny) of Martinsburg, WV, and a sister Sharon Sherrard (Rob) of Millboro, VA. She also had a large number of nieces and nephews. Lois was especially close to her sisters-in-law, Velma Horst, Mary Webster, Marty Wilson, and Ann Parnell. Her brothers-in-law include Rick Claxton and John Claxton. She deeply appreciated the care given by Ruthie Groves, whose cheerful spirit blessed her days. Lois devoted her life to her family; working with Tom in his automotive business, and caring for her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at 2 p.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Rob Sherrard, her brother-in-law. The family will receive friends beginning at 1p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be offered at www.mmgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home,6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.