Paulamai Todd Claudis

Paulamai “Penny” Todd Claudis

Penny Todd Claudis passed away on January 12, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born on September 20, 1936, she was a life-long resident of Shreveport. She attended St. Vincent’s Academy and was a proud graduate of Fair Park High School’s Class of 1954. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Centenary College and her master’s degree from Louisiana State University. She completed additional studies at Northwestern University in Natchitoches and St. John’s University in New York City. Her love of learning led her to a career as an educator in the Caddo public school system for 27 years until her retirement in 2001. In retirement she took on her proudest role as being the best “Nana” to her beloved Alex.

During her career, she held memberships in many organizations often serving on their boards. Some of her greatest accomplishments were serving as President of Phi Delta Kappa Education Fraternity, Louisiana Historical Association, and the Caddo Association of Educators. She was a founding member of the Louisiana Middle School Association and received the LMSA “Award of Excellence” in 1997.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Claudis, Jr., her mother, Paulamai Angelo Borland, and her father, Col. James Mason Todd.

She is survived by her daughters, Paula Claudis Allison, Laura Claudis Speir and husband Terry, grandchildren Jennifer Lee, Holly Lee, and Alexander Speir and fiancée Sophie.

Special thanks are given to the staff at Cypress Pointe Nursing Facility, Passages Hospice, and Dr. Jeffrey Holt for their compassionate care and support over the last few months. The family also expresses their appreciation and gratitude to special friend Keith Norwood.

The family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church School or Shriners Hospital.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5