James Claude Saxon

Memorial Park announces the death of Mr. James Claude Saxon, age 91, who departed this life on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 after living 91 happy years.


Mr. Saxon was blessed with 60 years of marriage with his loving wife, Clara Mae Davidson; and to this marriage was born three children.


Claude unceasingly loved and cared for his family with strength, kindness and understanding, and will leave to forever cherish his memories his much loved son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Diane Saxon; daughters and sons-in-law, Edna and Swayne Jordan and Hilda and Joe Pavan. He was blessed with five grandchildren: Carrol and Lori Saxon; Steven Marchbanks, Renee and Matt Bejaran; Susan and Greg Caudell and Jackie Saxon. Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Grace Armour who traveled far and wide singing with him, and Dollie Duncan, both of whom he loved so dearly. Claude's host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends played a very important part of his life.


He was the son of the late James Sanders and Etta Hicks Saxon of Lula, Georgia; and was preceded also in death by his brother, Price Saxon; and five sisters, Blanche Lewallen, Lillie Belle Thomas, Lona Smith, Carie Jackson and Mae Smith.


Claude lived in Lula most of his life. He loved coon hunting with his coon dogs; and singing played an important part of his life.


He was the founding father of the Lula Congregational Holiness Church. He served there for over 45 year as deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher and song director. Claude, along with a few other brethren had a dream for a church in Lula and this church was his vision fulfilled by God. He loved the church and the people as much as anything he had ever loved in this life.


Mr. Claude taught singing schools all over North Georgi, and was stated song director for camp meetings in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. He made lasting friends throughout his life. He was blessed beyond measure when his family organized a singing group known as "The Singing Saxon Family", which traveled all lover North Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. Claude's life was complete when he was blessed with this singing group in his famiy. His whole family was known to sing far and wide over Georgia; and to ride wagons to every singing in the community. He was one of those who sang around the old pump organ at night with the old pine torch and oil lamps; and would sing with his family until midnight. Mr. Claude truly lived his life for God and is now singing with the great Angel choir in Heaven. Won't it be wonderful there?

Generations have followed in his footsteps with singing and worshiping God in His fullness. God is so good to a family that prays together and will always stay together; and a family that sings together will always sing together. Thank God for all the ones Mr. Claude led to God!


Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, April 11, 2009 at New Haven Congregational Holiness Church, where he was a member. The body will lie in state in the church from 1:l5 PM until the hour of the service at 2:00 PM. Reverend Jerry Shockley, Reverend Wayne Hicks and Reverend Jack Crain will officiate; and interment will follow in West View Cemetery in Lula.


The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Thursday, April 09, 2009 and on Friday, April 10, 2009.


Mr. James Claude Saxon ... February 12, 1918 to April 08, 2009 ... We loved him, but God loved him best.


Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30504 ... 770-287-8227.


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