Individual Details

Burial

Obituary: Claudia Judith Mayo, age 73 of Lake Charles, a born teacher, came into this world on August 25, 1941 and died on May 22, 2015. Going anywhere in public with Judy involved talking with at least one of her former students who would often start with, "I know I was trouble in class, but I really appreciate that you didn't let me get away with it. I've really turned things around." With 33 years of experience, Judy retired from the CPSB after teaching Science, PE, Computer Skills, and being an In-House Computer Consultant. Judy developed her natural teaching talent through an education which began at Gillis High School where she was valedictorian and continued at Centenary College (B.S.), and Scarritt College (Masters in Religious Education). As a professional, she was active in the Calcasieu Association of Educators. Judy was involved with young children even during the summer; she was the long time director of Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin for Camp Fire Council of Sowela. Being such a teacher, Judy was of course a life-long student, and in her retirement, Judy continued to teach and study about computer skills with the Retired Teachers Computer Class; she was a Consulting Rosarian teaching people about her passion for growing roses, and she traveled many miles as the Director of the Gulf South District of the American Rose Society. Judy was a member of First United Methodist Church where she taught the Builders Sunday School class spending countless hours happily researching topics for the class. More countless hours were spent laying out, writing, editing, and mailing The Rosarian, the official monthly publication of the SWLA Rose Society. Judy proudly worked at Mayo Land Title Company for the past 15 years using her computer skills in data processing. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Claudius A. Mayo and Madge H. Mayo, who are most certainly now with Judy, all three tending heaven's roses. She was also preceded in death by her two best canine friends, Ginger the Sheltie, and Missy who never met a tennis ball she didn't want to retrieve. Left here to miss her and water all those plants she left behind are her brother and sister-in-law, Bradford and Ann Mayo of Lake Charles; her sister Virginia S. Mayo from Monroe, Georgia; her three nephews, Thaddeus, Zachary, and Joshua Mayo; her two nieces Stephanie Starkovich and Mariah Fine; seven great nephews and nieces; many aunts and cousins in the most enormous and confusing family tree imaginable, all of whom Judy kept up with and spoke proudly about; and last but not least, her best friend Caroline Hollins with whom she shared many adventures large and small. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the Church. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, May 27, 2015 First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, La. at 1:00 p.m. with a burial to follow in Graceland Cemetery. Words of Comfort may be shared with the family atwww.hixsonfuneralhomes.com. Donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, American Rose Society and American Cancer Society .