Clauden Callands Dixon

Our beloved Clauden Callands Dixon entered her final sleep at her home in Nathalie, VA according to her wishes on Friday, May 16, 2025 with family at her side. Clauden was born on December 21, 1931 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia to Deacon Frank “Junious” Callands and Viola Haley Callands. Clauden was baptized at the age of ten at the Mt. Airy Baptist Church in Gretna, Virginia under the ministry of Rev. H. L. Brooks, whom she greatly respected. She remained a member Mt. Airy for the rest of her life and served in many ministries of the church including Sunday School Secretary, Senior Choir member, Deaconess, Missionary Board member, secretary of Mt. Airy Baptist Church, secretary of the Ladies Division of the Staunton River Missionary Baptist Association, and church representative to The Virginia Baptist State Convention for many years. Clauden was also fondly known as “The Avon Lady” because of her years as an Avon distributor during which she won several awards for high sales. She was known as “The Cake Lady” until her death because of her delicious pineapple-coconut cakes, pound cakes, hermit cakes, and many other flavors that were highly sought after until her last hospital visit late last year. She enjoyed baking more than anything. Baking and Avon were in many ways, her personal ministry. Clauden graduated Northside High School in 1949 and attended St. Paul’s Polytecnhic Institute. She worked as a teacher and substitute teacher for 32 years in Virginia and North Carolina. She went on to work as a seamstress at Bassett-Walker Clothing for nine years until she retired to care for her ailing husband. She was united in matrimony with Charles W. Dixon of Halifax County, Virginia, on December 31, 1950 and remained a dutiful wife for 42 years until his death on May 2, 1993. To this union, seven children were born. Over the years, Clauden enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, entertaining, singing on the choir, teaching, fellowship with the Golden Ages, and many other community activities. She was a member of the “100 Voice Choir” led by her brother-in-law, Ruthard Dixon, which produced three gospel albums. She was a cherished friend to many and a stranger to no one. She graciously fed friend or foe at her table and would give whatever she could to meet a need. Clauden is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Charles William Dixon; daughter, Barbara A. Coleman; granddaughters, Claudia Guy and Frederica Clark; siblings Thurman Callands (Ann-deceased), Arnell Miller (Naaman-deceased), Adolphus Callands, and a host of other sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Clauden will continue to live in the hearts of her son-in-law Lazarus Coleman, and remaining children Frederick W. Dixon (Yvette), Michael L. Dixon (Sandra), Earl C. Dixon (Rosa), Joyce A. Pickett (Kenny-deceased), Berneta E. Perkins (Bill), and Chuntenia “Tina” Teixeira (Rodney); twelve grandchildren Ann Hanible, Sean Coleman, Joshua Dixon, Rosazenna Franklin (Richard), Doreena Dixon, Whitney Pickett, Kena Pickett, Stephan Pickett, Shanita Perkins, Shania Perkins, Amanda Teixeira, and Bria Teixeira; nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Callands, Almeda Lee (Edmond-deceased), Mary Dixon (Riley-deceased), Joyce Dixon (Ruthard-deceased), and brother-in-law Frank Dixon (Hilda); a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Of special mention, is her God-Family, Mr. Albert Logan (Marie-deceased), Gladys Crews, and Evelyn Ragsdale. And, dear to her heart and the hearts of her family is her beloved caretaker of seven years, Mrs. Reva Slayton.

Clauden Callands Dixon

December 21, 1931 - May 16, 2025