Clauden Callands Dixon's Obituary
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.
What’s your fondest memory of Clauden?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clauden?
Share a story where Clauden's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clauden you’ll never forget.
How did Clauden make you smile?
