Charles Thomas Claxton, 87, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina, widower of Martha Ann Neel Claxton, entered into eternal rest Thursday, February 10, 2022. His memorial service will be held Sunday, February 27, 2022 in the Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island at 2:00 PM. Reception to follow in the Church Great Hall. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.
Charles was born June 29, 1934, in Augusta, Georgia, son of the late William Anderson Boxx and Virginia Sumerau Boxx Claxton and stepson of Troy Lee Claxton. He grew up mainly in Augusta, GA, but lived in six different states before entering the United States Navy. He married Martha Ann Neel on August 4, 1956, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta, GA. During their 64 years of marriage, they raised two cherished sons.
He graduated from the University of Georgia and East Tennessee University. Charles had a memorable career as an environmentalist with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control for twenty-five years and retired as the Trident District Director of Environmental Health. During his career, Charles was awarded SC Environmental Health's highest honor with the Corley Award. He was elected Sanitarian of the year twice, served as president of the SC Environmental Health Association and he also won the Poovey Award. He was an avid outdoorsman, a trophy winning golfer and a spinner of humorous stories, spreading laughter amid everyone he met.
Charles is survived by his sons, Charles Thomas Claxton, Jr. (Kathy) and Samuel Malcolm Claxton (Amy) and grandchildren: Stormie Nicole, Charles Thomas III (Sarah), Zebulin Andrew, Kristina Adele Lowe (John) and Samuel Malcolm. Great grandchild: J. W. Lowe. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lee Claxton.
Charles was a member of the Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, SC and had a deep, abiding faith, such that he had no fear of death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Church of the Holy Cross, 2520 Middle St., Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 and to the Friends of Trinity, PO Box 476, Abbeville, SC 29620.