The ‘heart and soul’ of Claxton closes its doors
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Jo and Ken Williams sign the “Thank You” card for Dillis Freeman at last Friday’s ceremony at the Claxton True Value Store. — Ken Leinart
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Claxton True Value Hardware Store
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Anderson County Commissioner Tracy Wandell reads the proclamation passed by the Anderson County Commission recognized Dillis and Johnny Freeman and the Claxton True Value Hardware Store. From left are Dillis Freeman, Billy Von, Dillis Freeman Sr., Wandell, and Anderson County Commissioner Chuck Fritts. — Ken Leinart
There were tears — quite a few.
There was laughter — quite a lot of that, too.
Friday afternoon the Claxton community said “Goodbye” to Claxton True Value Hardware Store — what many describe as the “heart and soul” of the community.
After 35 years Dillis Freeman is finally taking some time off.
Anderson County Commissioner Tracy Wandell and Chuck Fritts presented Freeman with a proclamation passed by Anderson County Commission. Cake was served and “Buy something” was shouted numerous times.
Dillis and his wife, Johnny, made the True Value store the center of the Claxton universe. Maybe not geographically, but in spirit and temperament the True Value store served as a weather bell for the community.
Johnny, who passed on Jan. 30, 2012, was the Mayor of Claxton. There is no “unofficial” to put before that statement because it is fact.
“You could always come in here and get a little gossip, talk a little politics, and find whatever you needed to fix whatever you were fixing,” Fritts said.
“Dillis could tell you what you needed for what you were working on … Then he’d tell you how many times you would come back to get everything you needed to do the job right.”
There were plenty of stories to share Friday.
Johnny Freeman — in her capacity of Mayor of Claxton — fought Oak Ridge and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — all in the name for what was best for her community —from beating down talk of annexation to making sure playground equipment was delivered when it was promised.
There was the story of Dillis leaving the family home one Thanksgiving because somebody in the community needed a heating element for their stove.
“But it’s Thanksgiving,” his family said as he got ready to run to the store.
“Yes it is, and they want to have turkey, too,” he replied.
And while Claxton True Value Hardware Store may be closing, the spirit the Freemans pass on — the caring, the commitment to the whole — will remain. It will remain in the soul of the Claxton Community. The Freemans set the standard for “neighbor” and “community” and “caring.” It is a standard the community will not soon forget. That’s why it will continue to be.
“I can’t believe it’s really closing,” Wandell said, then with typical Claxton straight forwardness, “You know it’s a rule that every time you come in here you have to buy something … Especially the first time here.”
Yes, Claxton’s soul is still there.