Abilene Community Activist Dies

Claudie C.Royal, 63, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2008, at Hendrick Medical Center.

A memorial service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 South Pioneer Drive.

A wake, program and final viewing, to honor Claudie Royal, will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2008, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 North 7th Street. Services are under the direction of Abilene Funeral Home.

Claudie was born in Marlin, Texas on February 15, 1945, to the late, Joe and Elizabeth Maxwell. He was reared in Abilene, Texas where he graduated from Woodson High School. He also attended Cisco Jr. College. He was a member of the Plum Street United Methodist Church. Claudie was employed for over 18 years by the Keebler Cookie Company. He was a truck driver and assistant manager.

Claudie and Lula M. Lockett-Royal were married on April 13, 1964, and to this union was born Michael T. Royal, Cedric Royal (deceased), Michelle Royal, Mitchell Royal (Mellani), and Matthias Royal, all of Abilene; their five grandchildren, Mylles, Michael Ryan, BriAnna, Myller, and Mylliah. Others left to cherish his memories are brothers, Willie Maxwell and Freddie Royal; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws.

Claudie was a visionary and man for all seasons. Anyone who really knew him could not help but love him. He will be remembered for planning many community activities and boldness in executing his plans. He dedicated his life to the youth, the elderly, the truly disadvantaged and those in the community that stood in need of assistance in many different endeavors. In 1979, Claudie was elected President of the Abilene – Taylor County Chapter of the NAACP. Claudie influenced the state leadership to bring the NAACP State Convention to Abilene, Texas.

In 1970, Claudie became an Associate Minister at Plum Street United Methodist Church.

In 1979, he initiated the return of the All School Woodson Reunion. The reunion has become a major event for all former Woodson Students and their descendents.

In 1980, Claudie organized an annual march honoring the late, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today the march and associated activities are widely acknowledged by the citizens of Abilene.

In 1981, Claudie was the driving force behind the development of a park constructed in the community of Pasadena Heights in Abilene. Through Claudie’s influence, the park was named to honor Mr. Nelson Wilson, Sr., a community leader and long time resident of Abilene.

In 1987, Claudie organized the back to school annual picnic for the youth of Abilene, designed to assist the youth in making the annual transition from recreation and summer work to study and school work.

In 1989, Claudie established H.O.P.E., an organization designed to prevent the youth of the Abilene community from getting involved in the drug culture and for those who had already become involved. The organization provided assistance to help them defeat the monster of drug addiction. This program was highly successful in helping many youth stop drug use and preventing others for getting involved in drugs.

In 1994, he hosted a banquet to honor Abilene’s Senior Citizens from the Carver community of Abilene.

In 1995, he was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Services Award and on February 23, 2006, the City of Abilene honored him by hosting Claudie Royal Day.