Violet A. Machen Claxton

Violet A. Claxton, 96, of Victoria passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. She was born on January 1, 1917 in Sandia, Texas to the late Joseph Machen & Ina Ratliff Machen. Violet retired from VISD, having taught at Vickers Elementary for many years. She graduated as Valedictorian, Class of 1934 from Pleasanton High School and attended SMU on a scholarship, then transferred to Texas Women’s University, graduating with honors in 1938 with a BS degree in Business Administration. She was on the Dean’s List every semester she was in college. In 1940 she met and married Albert “Shine” Claxton. In 1942, Shine joined the Army Air Corps and thus began their travels around the United States. In 1945, Shine left the military and went to work for Phillips Petroleum Co. They traveled for 20 years across 9 states with the company and along the way two sons were born, Bill and Don. Shine died in 1964, so Violet returned to be a teacher. She taught until the boys went to college and then moved back to Victoria to be close to her mother. Violet lived by her faith and was devoted to her family and friends. She loved to travel and saw all the states except Rhode Island and saw much of the world after retiring. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Association of University Women, Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Delta Kappa, Daughters of the American Revolution, Retired Teachers and Republican Women.

Survivors include her sons, Bill Claxton (Peg), of Denver, CO and Don Claxton (Eunacille), of Giddings; grandchildren, Bronwyn Claxton (Pat) , of League City, Christy Claxton, of Austin, Jeff Claxton(Sharon), of Giddings, Amy Smallwood (Brian), of Colstrip, MT, Kate Stramel (Josh), Castlerock, CO; great grandchildren, Gavin Claxton, Mia, Alexis and Lily Stramel; Haley and Taylor Smallwood, Sadie Claxton and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, “Shine” Claxton, brother, Harold Machen; sister, Jewel Climer and great grandson, Kameron Smallwood.

A visitation will be held 9 – 11 am, Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will follow at 11 am with Rev. Jarrell Sharpe officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna, TX.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Texas or the Wounded Warriors Program.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com