Faithful Unity members, Sue and Ray Claxton, like their friends at UCC and On Top of the World, their winter residence, always look forward to their fall-to-spring interval in the Sunshine State. They have been coming here since 2004, first renting a beach house at Indian Rocks Beach and later purchasing a condo where Ray looked forward to “free” golf. They have learned that “when you include the monthly maintenance fee, it’s not so free.”
Born and raised in the small town of Churubusco, IN, Sue recalls walking to the movie theater by herself at age 9 or 10. “It was a totally different world then,” she says of that idyllic, safer time. She and Ray attended the same high school and graduated in the same class but never dated until their end-of-year senior trip. In December, they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
Before retirement, Sue held a variety of interesting secretarial positions at Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., IBM, Central Soya and in the offices of three pathologists and one neurologist. In retirement here, she enjoys participation in a birthday club and the members’ frequent outings, and, in Indiana, she belongs to a similar group called the Baseball Moms, all mothers of sons, who were baseball players together and state runner-ups in 1981. After their beloved coach, Chris Stavreti, died of ALS, a college scholarship program was formed for baseball players, and every year, his players come from throughout the country for an annual golf outing to honor his memory.
The Claxtons have attended UCC for about 10 years, discovered after visiting Unity churches in St. Petersburg. They loved Leddy, the music and PosiPalooza. In Fort Wayne, the Unity church has struggled to get a permanent minister, so their attendance is sporadic. At their home church here, Sue always contributes to the desserts and baked goods served in the café after church on Sundays. “We also tithe,” she says, “which I believe enriches our lives greatly.”
Although their two children and five grandchildren live in Indiana, Sue welcomes visits from Florida relatives in the winter months. She has an older sister in Sebring, a niece in Lakewood Ranch and friends in Spring Hill and Winter Haven. Another sister is coming to Lutz in February. Not to be overlooked in the Claxtons’ family circle is their beloved and “totally spoiled” rescue Dachshund Dezi, who is a confirmed Florida dog. In Indiana, when it’s cold, “I open the door to take her out, and she runs the other way!” Dezi got a raincoat for Christmas so only her little head gets wet. Wearing it, “she trots around like a little girl in a new outfit.”
Come spring, the Claxtons will be heading north for their granddaughter’s April bridal shower. Sue has been given her assignment: “Grandma, you will be there.”