| Sources |
- [S2669] Legacy Website, 2 September 2012; Evelyn E. Claxton.
Dr. Evelyn E. Claxton
The full life of Dr. Evelyn E. Claxton of Benton, Illinois came to a peaceful end at the age of 87 with family by her side at the McKnight Place in Clayton, Missouri on June, 15, 2011. Dr. Claxton was born March 29, 1924, in Calloway County, Kentucky, the daughter of Elbert F. Phillips and Cora T. (McCuiston) Phillips. Surviving relatives include daughter, Anne Claxton of Dallas, Texas, daughter Laura and son-in-law Jerry Eader of West Frankfort, Illinois, and son, Tim and daughter-in-law Amy Claxton of Benton, Illinois. Grandchildren include, Jordan Claxton of Savannah, Georgia, Sara (Eader) Ruddell and husband Tim of Chicago, Illinois, Jason Packard of St. Louis, Missouri, Matt Eader of West Frankfort, Illinois and Katie (Claxton) Lewis and husband Jarrod Lewis of Shreveport,Louisiana. Evelyn is also survived by one sister Evon Laubenstein, Hamilton, OH, brothers, Bill Phillips, Greensboro, GA, Mike Phillips, Benton, IL, sister-in-laws, Lois Phillips and Priscilla Cress, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Claxton, her parents, brother Jack Phillips,sister-in-law Pam Phillips, brother-in-law Paul Laubenstein and sister Dr. Patsy Kollen. Dr. Claxton was an elder and organist-choir director for the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Benton, Illinois. Her love for English and Journalism blossomed in high school as the editor of the Hazel Park High School paper, Hazel Park, Michigan and later while working on the Michigan Daily newspaper at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for 3 years serving as the first woman managing editor in 1945. She also worked as a reporter for two years on the Detroit Free Press. Her education began with the acquisition of her B.A. English at the University of Michigan in 1945, M.A. English in at the University of Michigan 1946 and later a Ph.D. English in 1970 from the University of Kansas. Dr. Claxton retired from Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois as the Arts and Communications Department Chair in 1983 after having first joined the full-time faculty as an English/journalism Instructor in 1970. Dr. Claxton's distinguished career in education began in 1947 at the University of Missouri in the English Department. It was during this time, she met the love of her life and married her husband of 49 years, Fred Claxton. Along the way, she taught at Stephen's College in Columbia, Missouri , then the Henry Ford Community College in Michigan as a journalism instructor. In the mid-1950's Dr Claxton worked briefly as a social case worker for the adoption department, juvenile court, in Kansas City Missouri. Her passion for teaching led her back to a part-time teaching position in 1954 with the University of Kansas until 1962 where she moved to National College in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as an instructor and department chairman. A family move to Southern Illinois led her to the Rend Lake College position, where during her career, she was awarded the Distinguished Educator Award in 1971-72, Distinguished Adviser Award given by the National Council of College Publication Advisers in 1973 and was listed as a National Outstanding Educator 1974 and the Directory of American Scholars. In retirement, Dr. Claxton proudly remained an active volunteer of Rend Lake College, teaching Bible As Literature classes and writing classes for the Institute for Learning in Retirement. In 2005, Dr. Claxton was presented with the State's Top Lifelong Learning "Outstanding Instructor Award". When she was not volunteering her time with a variety of organizations and services, Evelyn enjoyed her time at her home on Lake Benton. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed canoeing on the lake, listening to classical music, hiking or just enjoying the rewards of a good book. Please join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Evelyn E. Claxton at the Parker/Reedy Funeral Home, West Frankfort, Illinois at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 20. Reverend Dan Whitfield will officiate. Visitation will be between 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 19 at the Parker/Reedy Funeral Home. Memorial offerings can be made to Dr. Evelyn E. Claxton memorial to the Rend Lake Foundation at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Frankfort Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort. For more information or sign the guest register visit www.parkerreedyfuneralhome.com.
Published in Daily American News from June 16 to June 18, 2011
- [S2710] 1930 Census for Wayne County, Michigan, 979; p. 25A, line 19; dwelling 226, family 333; Elbert Phillips; 31 May 2014.
Year: 1930; Census Place: Highland Park, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 1073; Page: 25A; Enumeration District: 0979; Image: 986.0; FHL microfilm: 2340808
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1924 - 2011 (87 years)
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