Claudie Mae Williams' Obituary
Claudie Mae Thomas Williams, the eighth child of the late James Thomas and Virginia Leonard was born on October 10, 1918 in Cottage Grove, Alabama. She was one of thirteen siblings. One sister is the sole surviving member of her nuclear family.
Claudie yearned for a higher education; upon high school graduation in 1937, she enrolled at Tuskegee Institute for nursing. She stayed with her brother, Chester, in Fairfield, Alabama. A chance encounter led to a meeting with her future husband, John. She completed her nursing program and found employment in a Birmingham hospital. In 1946, she moved to Detroit Michigan, and married John Warren Williams, Sr., to this union, three sons were born; John, Jr., Jerome, and Thomas. John, Sr., John, Jr., and Thomas preceded her in death. Claudie completed her B.S. in nursing at Wayne State University. New York University offered her a scholarship to earn a Master’s degree, which she turned down, preferring to stay in Detroit to raise her family. The Visiting Nurses Association of Michigan hired her; a position she held for nine years. After leaving the VA, she sought and obtained employment at Detroit Receiving Hospital for twenty-three years; rising from staff nurse to head nurse in pediatrics. In 1980, forty years in nursing ended in retirement. Even after retirement, she worked as a hospital volunteer.
Claudie, John and family were part of the charter members of Metropolitan Church of God in 1954, under the pasturage of Reverend James Massey. Their devotion was evidenced in service to the church. While John was a trustee, Boy Scout leader, and writer for the Shining Light Survey; she was a church clerk for many years, sang in the choir, served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts and worked on many other committees. The family traveled to the campground in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, for its annual camp meetings for many years. At her death, Mother Williams was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, original member of Metropolitan Church of God.
Claudie was an avid bowler; she bowled in the church league, the teacher’s league with Jerome and Thomas, and senior citizens league until her late 80’s. Claudie joined Chi Eta Phi nursing sorority and actively participated for several years. The sorority helps nursing students earn scholarships. As you can see, Claudie was an active and devoted participant in any and all endeavors!! In 2008, she moved in with her son, Jerome, and his wife, Carline. There she enriched their home with her lively spirit, an infectious laugh and countless conversations about her life. Mother received excellent care from Carline, Jerome and great granddaughter Jamesha; while the Metropolitan Visitation team lifted her spirits with frequent visits, prayer meetings and communion.
Mother passed to her heavenly reward peacefully on August 10, 2016; completing 97 years and 10 months of beautiful life!! In honor of her memory, she leaves behind; one sister, Rommie Jones of Tuskegee, Alabama; one son, Jerome Williams (Carline), daughter in law; Linda Williams, grandson; Thomas Williams, granddaughters; Natalie and Tiffaney Williams, great granddaughters; Nykarrie and Delilah, great grandsons; Jeremiah and Johnthan, Prince Michael, Da’Hani, nieces; Virginia Kendrick, Mary Yarbrough of Nashville, Tennessee, Yvonne Madison of Birmingham, Alabama, nephews; James Moore of St. Louis, Missouri, Anthony Jones, of Tuskegee, Alabama, step grandson; Ever Rincher, step granddaughters; Latonya Rincher , Carline Brooks ,Theresa Barnes ( Cornelius) and Tribbie Ingram . Step great grandsons; Cornell, Brandon, Vincent, Deshone, Cornelius, Jr., D’Juan and Ever, Jr., great step granddaughters; Toya, Derrica, Nikera, Jamesha, Octavia, Jayla, Tre’surr , Deborah, Lolita and Nadine Williams, and a host of other relatives and friends
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