Claudette Greene Deloney Naggs' Obituary
Claudette Lorna Mathiot Greene Deloney Naggs, 81, died December 17 in Memphis, Tennessee of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. Claudette was a native of the Seychelles Islands where she was born on October 7, 1944. She moved to the USA in 1964 where she lived in Texas for most of her adult life before moving to Memphis in 2021.
Claudette grew up in Mahe, Seychelles as one of six children. She received her education at Regina Mundi boarding school in the Seychelles, where she learned to speak English. She married an American, Derrell Greene, in 1963 and moved with him to the US where they settled in Texas and raised three children, Sherri, Roger, and Kristine. She loved being a Texan and was very proud of her new country. When her children were grown, Claudette refocused on her education and became a highly respected Farmers Insurance agent. She married her second husband, Joe Deloney, in 1988, was widowed in 1995, and married Jeff Naggs in 1996.
Claudette was loved by all who knew her for her free spirit and love of adventure. She had a fun sense of humor and was always ready to laugh at herself. Claudette was an avid tennis player well into her seventies. She loved reading, history, and travel, and took several trips to Europe where she experienced the historical sites about which she read. She returned to the Seychelles multiple times where she took great pride in sharing her family and homeland with each of her children. Claudette was a gifted gardener. There was little she did not know about plants, flowers, and trees and she used her knowledge to create beautiful landscapes in her yard. Those who knew her best will always remember the determination and pleasure with which she worked in her yard. She was also prone to rescuing plants and flowers from abandoned yards and giving them new life in her own lush gardens!
Claudette was a generous and caring person, always looking out for the underdog, and was fiercely loyal to those she loved, particularly her family. She treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of which she had several, and nothing gave her more joy than having them with her. She loved more than having all of her family together, laughing, talking, playing, and enjoying each other’s company. Her work as an insurance agent brought her great satisfaction. Claudette loved people and her customers trusted and appreciated her dedication to serving them.
Claudette is survived by her husband, Jeff Naggs; children, Sherri Ottis (Steve) of Clinton, MS; Roger Greene (Brittnee) of Melissa, TX, and Kristine Laterra of Kountze, TX; her grandchildren, Brian, Catherine, Jack, Jameson, Avery, and Libby; great-grandchildren, Betsy Cate, Charlie, Anna Jane, Mary Ella, Henry, Samuel, and Elizabeth; siblings, Marcel Mathiot, Francois Mathiot, and Flora Krut. She was preceded in death by her parents, Blanchard and Helene (Dingwall) Mathiot and siblings, Marie-Andree Liston and Tito Mathiot.
Claudette’s sense of adventure, joy in life, and loving nature will long be remembered. She was a bright light in the lives of those who knew and loved her and her determination, kindness, and lively spirit will be greatly missed.
A private memorial service will be held a later date.
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