A native of South Mills, NC born to the late Benjamin and Harriette Elliott, and predeceased by his wife Queen Esther and a brother Charles. Claude graduated from Booker T. Washington Class of 1950 and was an Army Veteran. Claude was an warehouseman in the Material Division of the Naval Depot, his calling was mechanical work, on cars, radios and televisions and his favorite sport was basketball. He leaves to cherish his memory a son, Roger Mason and a loving niece Natalie McIntosh and many loving relatives and friends.