Claudette Williams

February 27th, 1950 marked the blessed birth of Willie and Alma Williams’ eldest daughter, Claudette. Claudette and her three younger siblings Jacqueline, Faye and Willie, grew up in the Ida B. Wells Housing Community.

Claudette graduated from Parkman Elementary. After elementary school, Claudette attended DuSable High School. She went on after high school to attend both Harold Washington and Kennedy King Colleges.

At both institutions, Claudette began nurturing her love of early childhood development and education. Claudette’s passions gained great ground when she started working at Firman Community Services. The time at Firman House, lasting nearly 30 years, fostered her loves of both working with children, when she worked as a teacher’s assistant, and cooking, when she worked as a kitchen assistant.

Following her Firman House era, Claudette went on to work at St. Paul Day Care as a teacher, at the Center for Successful Child Development as a home-based educator, at St. Margaret Respice Care Center as a teacher, and at Precious One’s Developmental Academy as acting director and teacher.

Being the hard working and dedicated woman that she was, Claudette was raising her three beautiful daughters, Lynette, Cetrina, and Felicia, all while continuing her education. Through her faith and never-ending drive, Claudette’s daughters grew up to be successful as a DBA, a doctor, and a telecommunications manager.

Claudette’s faith and love for Christ was ever-growing throughout her entire life. Her spiritual journey took flight when she joined Monument of Faith Evangelistic Church, over 30 years ago under the leadership of Apostle R.D. Henton. As a faithful member, Claudette’s legacy of ministry (having minister’s on both her mother’s and father’s side) flourished. Claudette served as the president of the children’s church and was a licensed minister. She was also faithfully dedicated to service of the Sunday School department, the Soul Winners, and the Women’s Auxiliary Boards. Through the light that grew in her during her walk with Christ, Claudette’s children and her grandchildren were led to have personal relationships with Christ. Outside of her family, Claudette’s passion for ministry was lived out through her faithful work in the children’s church. Many times, she was a child’s introduction to a life in Christ. Her unwavering faithfulness demonstrated to the children that God entrusted to her care how to live Christ-centered, everyday lives. Beyond her work with the children, God used Claudette’s lifetime of ministry to guide so many to begin their walks with Christ.

One of Claudette’s passions was her love of cooking. She brought that love forth in every aspect of her life. He daughters always urged her to open her own restaurant, but Claudette’s cooking was used to serve the Lord. The way she tailored each meal to suit those in need spoke volumes of her dedication and passion to humble service.

Claudette’s life was also full of fun and enjoyment. She loved music of all types, from Motown to Gospel. Claudette also took delight in watching many old movies, having been named after 1920’s actress Claudette Colbert. In addition to her music and movies, Claudette enjoyed Broadway productions.

Claudette’s generational strength will live on in the lives of her three devoted daughters Lynette, Cetrina, and Felicia, her four grandchildren who she adored, Rebecca, Ashley, Miles and Janiyah, her precious great-grandchild, Amaya, her three loving siblings Jacqueline (and Charles Becker), Faye (and her late Charles Ealy), and Willie (and Pamela Williams), her embraced granddaughter, Synclaire Broughton, and her other treasured family and friends. Let’s not forget her grandpuppy, Hershey.

In all, Claudette lived her 64 years of life to the fullest. With Christ as her backbone, Claudette touched countless lives of children and adults alike.

Arrangements under the direction of Kenny Brothers Funeral Directors, Evergreen Park, IL.