Claiborne, Carol Maurene Maurene was born September 21, 1918, in Grand Saline, Texas, and was received into the arms of Jesus August 11, 2009, in Dallas. She was 90 years young. Maurene was predeceased by her parents Jesse P. and Jessie G. Thedford; her spouse, Ray Smith Claiborne; her son, Michael Ray Claiborne; and all of her nine siblings. Maurene lived in Waco from 1924 until moving to Dallas in 1952. After graduating from high school, Maurene was active in clubs and singing for a local radio station. She worked briefly for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, but soon became a fulltime homemaker and mother after her marriage in 1942 and birth of their son in 1943. She was a faithful member of the Assembly of God Church and attended services regularly until health issues prevailed. She loved to travel and over the years, with her late sister, Opal, traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. She was a wonderful chef, an avid reader and her favorite pastime was watching classic movies. Maurene and her husband made a home for Maurene's older sister, Opal Thedford and for the last several years, Maurene devoted herself to taking care of Opal. Maurene came to grandparenting late in life and was an adoring grandmother to Casey Leigh Claiborne and Preston Michael Claiborne. Maurene's passing will be especially mourned by her grandchildren, both of Dallas, daughter-in-law Paula Claiborne, and her caregiver nieces, Linda Mock, Dallas, Nancy Whitted, Arlington, and Janelle and Sherwood Powell of Houston, as well as loving friends Sandi Craig and P'nina Alvarado. Mrs. Claiborne will lie in state on Thursday from 6 -8 PM at Sparkman/Hillcrest. Service and interment will be Noon, Friday, August 14, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Hwy. Chapel, Rev. Joe Bailey, officiating. Maurene was a generous, caring person who supported several non-profits over many decades, one of which was Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made there.

The Dallas Morning News 8/13/2009