Mildred Claeson Dillon

Mildred Claeson Dillon went to Her Father’s House on December 14, 2023, at the age of 95. Mildred Ann Claeson entered this world on August 27, 1928, and was born into eternal life in her late 40’s when she accepted Jesus Christ as Her Lord and Savior. From that point onwards, Mildred focused her time, talents, and energy on building up others and growing in her relationships with God and her fellow humans through continuous involvement in service, mission, and church-related pursuits – often in concert with her late husband, C. A. Dillon, Jr., who predeceased Mildred on February 16, 2017. Mildred is survived by 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mildred was born in St. Petersburg, Florida to the late, Eric Hezekiel Claeson and Anna Edgren Claeson, (after her mother rejected her doctor’s recommendation that she terminate the pregnancy when she had surgery for adhesions and appendicitis) and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1946. After two years at St. Petersburg Junior College, Mildred traveled 1,300 miles north to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where in 1951 she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Public School Music. Armed with her degree, Mildred’s next adventure took her “half-way back” to what would become her home for over 70 years, Raleigh, NC, where she first accepted a position as a vocal music teacher in the Raleigh Public Schools. Mildred’s love for teaching and directing led her to add choir directing to her busy schedule, first directing the Holy Lutheran Church Choir from 1951 to 1953, and then moving to Edenton Street Methodist Church as the Junior Choir director and alto soloist in 1953. Mildred met her future husband, C. A. Dillon, Jr. (1925-2017), while in the Edenton Street Chancel Choir. C.A. proposed to Mildred in November 1955, and they were married on February 10, 1956.

Mildred soon left her teaching position and poured herself into starting her and C.A.’s family, with the arrival of their first three children in their first three years after tying the knot. A few years later, two more children were added to their fold. While C.A. worked in the family business and was active in civic work, Mildred focused on their five young children, volunteering in school and community organizations. Her roles included directing five operettas in the late 1960’s and early 1970s at 3 different Raleigh schools, and also served President of the PTA at Daniels Junior High School. Mildred also continued to play her favorite instrument, the accordion, and performed with Andy Griffith and also for the Vice President.

As her kids grew increasingly independent during the mid-1970’s, Mildred realized that a hole was growing in her soul, and she sought deeper meaning. She decided to try a new Bible study that had recently started in Raleigh under the leadership of Ann Graham Lotz, and through God’s Word and new relationships, met Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Mildred soon experienced greater purpose and freedom – including finding the strength to stop smoking after 30 years. With her faith becoming central to her life, she was better able to love others – especially her husband and children, who gradually found freedom in the same Lord. Mildred’s new purpose was to serve God by loving her neighbors, mentoring others, and teaching the Bible.

With C.A., Mildred volunteered with Prison Fellowship Ministries for years, including mentoring death row inmate John Gardner. She and C.A. stepped up within their church and led “The SALT Bible Study” in their home for many years. Mildred then jumped into leadership of the inter-denominational Bible Application Class (BAC).

Mildred was quite creative in her ministry – establishing “The Joy Club” in her Hayes Barton neighborhood in the 1980’s and ministering to kids after school well into the 1990’s. She also had a heart for high school girls, starting a discipleship group known as “The King’s Princesses” in the 1990’s and maintaining this ministry well into the 2000’s.

Finally, “Grandma,” as she was known by her 16 grandchildren, loved to travel with C.A. to spend time with their five children and grandchildren. Up until she departed, Mildred faithfully kept up with and prayed for her friends, caregivers, and her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren).

Mildred’s loving husband of 61 years, C. A., passed into eternity on February 16, 2017. She was also predeceased by her brothers, John and Roland Claeson.

Mildred is survived by her five children: Deborah Dillon Newman (Thomas); C. A. “Chip” Dillon, III (Margaret); John Eric Dillon (Sally); Mark Wynne Dillon (Kelley); and Robert Christopher Dillon (Ann). In addition, Mildred is survived by 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is at home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On the last occasion Mildred shared with her five children on earth, just 12 days before her passing, she expressed joy in that she was soon to see Jesus and that all her children shared her faith.

The family would like to thank those who took care of Mildred, in particular the staff at the Cardinal at North Hills as well as Sarah Lateef. In addition, the family is grateful to the staff at Transitions LifeCare for their support over the past few months.

A visitation will be held Monday, December 18, 2023, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh.

A celebration of Mildred’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 3:00pm in the sanctuary of Asbury Church, 6612 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh. The burial will be private in Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider donations to one of the following churches serving The Cardinal: Open Door Church, 9801 Durant Road; Raleigh, NC 27614; and/or The Church of the Apostles, 333 Church at North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC 27609. Please designate “Cardinal Ministry” in the memo line.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC.