As a child, Claudette grew up in Jacinto City with her three sisters. She loved spending time at her Aunt Leity and Uncle Slim’s house in San Antonio. She had many stories about those days and often spoke of the impact her aunt and uncle made on her life.
At 18 years old, Claudette and Jerry met when he was leaving his Baptist church one Sunday and she was walking out of the Methodist church she attended across the street. He followed her home and asked her on a date. They were united in marriage on April 2, 1957, and had just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this past spring. They began their life together in San Antonio before eventually moving to Jacinto City with their firstborn son, Jerry Nathan Lott Jr, who they welcomed on Aug. 22, 1958 in San Antonio. On Aug. 1, 1962, they welcomed their daughter, Stacy Lynn Lott.
Claudette began her role as a full-time homemaker and loved creating and sewing outfits for her children. For a number of years, she was also a beautician out of her home. Later, when her children reached junior high and high school, she began working for SmithKline Laboratories, starting as a carrier and working her way into sales.
Claudette was always known for having a gift with children. Her nieces and nephews spent many days with her, and she loved them as her own. One of her nieces described her simply as “magic.” She had a way of making every child in her life feel special, loved, and adored. You never had to wonder how Claudette felt about you because you could see it in her words, her eyes, and her actions.
In 1985 Jerry and Claudette moved to Evergreen, Texas, where they built their home from the ground up. They joined Second Baptist Church in Cleveland and eventually became members of Magnolia Baptist Church, where they remained for many years. In 2021, Jerry and Claudette became members of Evergreen Baptist Church. Claudette was always involved in church socials and was always helping out with the bereavement committees. Jerry was a deacon at every church they were members. Both loved to share their love of the Lord together.
Later in life, their home became known simply as “Mamaw and Papaw’s.” Claudette embraced the title of Mamaw wholeheartedly, and she was exactly what a Mamaw should be. She made every grandchild and great-grandchild feel loved, cared for, and welcome. You could hardly visit without being offered something to eat. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will tell you that no one made pancakes quite like Mamaw.
The kitchen was where Claudette expressed so much of her love. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and everything she made seemed to taste even better because it was made with love. It was her way of caring for the people she loved. Whenever she heard that her grandchildren were coming, they would joke that she would jump right up and fire up the oven, already thinking about what she could welcome them with. There always seemed to be something homemade waiting on the counter, usually her famous pound cake, made especially with her family in mind. The pound cake was such a huge hit every grandchild would request it for their birthday. It was truly special. No one made a pound cake like she did.
She taught her granddaughters how to bake and passed down recipes, traditions, and the love of gathering around a table that will continue long after her. She also loved to sew and took great pride in caring for her home, creating a place that was warm, welcoming, and filled with love.
But Claudette’s homemaking was never just about what she made. It was about the people she served. She had a genuine servant’s heart and found joy in helping others. Whether she was making a meal, baking a pie, sewing, or simply showing up when someone needed her, Claudette made people feel cared for.
In 1995, Claudette and her church friends founded the “Babygown Ministry” at Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Together, she and other volunteers sewed baby layettes for newborn babies who woke up in heaven. Her service through this ministry touched countless families, and she eventually received an award from the hospital recognizing her work and servantship.
Claudette was full of spunk. She was a go-getter and fiercely independent, showing tremendous grit and strength throughout her 87 years. In 2023, at 85 years old, she got down on her hands and knees and planted purple hull peas along the long driveway fence line. By summertime, she had a huge harvest of peas. This was the perfect example of the determination and spirit that made her who she was.
Above all, Claudette loved Jesus. Her faith was woven into the way she lived, loved, and served. She made Him known through her actions. Her love for Him was evident in the way she cared for others. She was always heaven-minded and genuinely looked forward to the day she would meet Jesus face-to-face. She had a deep assurance that this life was not the end, and she wanted the people she loved to know that same hope.
We know without a doubt that Jesus welcomed her with open arms, saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” And we know she is rejoicing in heaven, finally reunited with her precious daughter, Stacy, whom she loved and missed so deeply. We can only imagine the joy of that long-awaited reunion and the sweetness of knowing they are together again in the presence of Jesus.
After 87 years, Claudette leaves behind a legacy that will be passed down for generations to come. Her family will miss her deeply, but they will carry her love, her faith, her strength, and her legacy with them always.