Claudlene Duirden's Obituary
The service for Claudlene Duirden, 87, of Lufkin, will be held on March 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, 1519 Williams St., Lufkin, TX. Lufkin, TX. Burial will follow in the Davis Memorial Garden..
.In the earlyhours of Tues ay, February 18, 2025, as the world still slumbered, Claudlene Duirden peacefully slipped into the arms of her Savior. She transitioned from this life with grace and quiet dignity, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, boundless love, and immeasurable strength.
Born on August 27, 1937, in Celina, Texas, to the late Armon and Thelma Matts, Claudlene came into this world with a fire for learning and a heart full of curiosity. While her classmates played at recess, she was often kept inside by her teacher—not as punishment, but as a recognition of her potential—given books of poetry and literature to read instead.
At just 17 years old, while living in Lufkin, Texas, Claudlene met the love of her life, James Duirden. On September 21, 1954, they were joined in holy matrimony—a sacred union that spanned more than 64 years before James' passing in 2018. Their love was a rare and beautiful thing, built on faith, resilience, and an endless devotion to family.
And oh, what a family they built! The babies came, and came, and kept coming! Together, they were blessed with 13 incredible children—7 sons and 6 daughters—each one carrying a piece of their parents' love, wisdom, fortitude, and reverence for family.
A Life Anchored in Faith: Raised as a pastor's daughter, Claudlene committed her life to Christ first, was baptized with the Holy Ghost, and soon after, James followed suit. As such, James and Claudlene experienced a transformative shift in ministry; they stepped out on faith, and in 1983, the Upper Room Pentecostal Holiness Organization was born. For decades, Bishop James Duirden Sr. and Co-Pastor Claudlene Duirden labored tirelessly, serving God's people and building a ministry that still stands as a beacon of holiness today.
A Woman of Strength and Determination: For many, raising 13 children would have been a full life's work. But Claudlene was not just any woman. She refused to be bound by expectation or surrender to the status quo. Some said that her life was set in stone. But God had other plans. With grit, determination, and a touch of defiance, she earned her GED, then enrolled in the nursing program at Angelina College. She went on to serve more than 20 years as a Registered Nurse at Memorial Hospital, proving to the world—and herself—that there was no limit to what she could achieve.
A Legacy of Love: Her love for family was unshakable. Her faith was immovable. Her wisdom was priceless. She poured everything she had into her children and grandchildren. Thus, she left behind a rich, bountiful legacy that will endure for generations. Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we rejoice in knowing that Claudlene has finished her race. She fought the good fight. She kept the faith. She made it! And now, she rests in eternal glory, reunited with her beloved James. And, as she often said with a smile, we say to her now: "Ta-ta for now, Mama! We'll see you again."
Claudlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop James L. Duirden Sr.; her parents, Armon and Thelma Matts; and several beloved relatives. She leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories with her 13 children: James Jr. (Hattie), Oliver Sr, Clifford Sr. (Beatrice), Remona, Lawrence Sr. (Trisha), Tina, Christopher Sr. (Misty), Kenneth Sr. (Sherry), Angela (Albert), Joe Sr. (Jessica), Talitha (Albert), Sherri (Zeonta), and Ceddric (Baron). She is also survived by her sisters, Zenobra and Mary, as well as 37 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. And a plethora of nieces, nephews, friends, and lives she touched along the way, who will miss her dearly.
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