The family of Luna Ianthe Fleming Claxton announces her death on Aug. 10, at the age of 91. Mrs. Claxton was a retired educator who fed and inspired the hearts and minds of Virgin Islands children for almost 50 years. Born on Sept. 11, 1919, she would have been 92 years old.
A dedicated and life-long member of All Saints Cathedral Church, Claxton led an extremely active life and divided her time between numerous community organizations such as The Episcopal Church Women, Business & Professional Women (BPW), the Committee to Revive Our Culture and Down Street People. In 2001, she received the prestigious Honoree of the Year Award for International Who’s Who of Business and Professional Women’s Hall of Fame for her stellar career in education. In 2002, Claxton was honored by the V.I. Legislature with a resolution for her service to the community.
She was beloved by many of her students during her tenure as a teacher, which included the first kindergarten at Barnaba Well in Savan; Evelyn Marcelli School, formerly George Washington School; and Gladys Abraham Elementary School, formerly Kirwan Terrace Elementary School. She was one of seven teachers who started the kindergarten program in the Virgin Islands under the leadership of Gladys Gabriel. She retired after 44 years at Kirwan Terrace. She lived by the belief in loving and cherishing each child as if they were her own.
Luna Claxton is survived by her brother, Jaime Betancur; sons: Alexander “Al” Joseph, Lawrence “Larry” Sewer and Warren A. Claxton; adopted son, Hugh Joseph; stepchildren: Wayne and Marjorie Claxton; grandchildren: Danita Gonsalves, Lo’an Sewer, Andy Joseph, Zenzi Hodge, Jermila Claxton Cornelius, Enjoli Claxton, Jahmari Joseph and Jahnifa Joseph; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Isaiah Claxton, five siblings, and her uncle G. James Fleming.
A viewing will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home. The final service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at All Saints Cathedral Church. Internment will follow at Western Cemetery No. 1. All funeral arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
