Claire Joyce Coleman Raphael, 101, departed this life on July 7, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. Oldest child of Mary Juliet (Mae) Coleman and John M. Coleman, Sr., she was born on July 14, 1917 and grew up in the Carrollton area. As a girl, Claire had a habit of bringing home stray dogs. Her love of canines was lifelong.
While working at Green’s Grocery on Carrollton, she met Thomas Webb Raphael, a poultry wholesaler. They married in 1938. Through the 1940s, the couple had four sons. The family lived on Monroe Street, and also kept a simple residence in Waveland, MS. They sent their boys to Jesuit High School, and then, primarily at Claire’s urging, to college as first-generation students. Grandparenthood began in 1967, and Claire frequently cared for her older grandchildren. In the late ‘70s, the couple moved fully to Waveland. When a stroke limited Thomas’ movement, Claire became his sole caretaker for the last four years of his life. They had been married for 62 years at his death in 2001. Claire continued to live in Waveland until her home there was destroyed by Katrina. She then moved in with her widowed sister Irma, in Metairie. In the final year of her life, Claire lived at Serenity Senior Residence.
Claire was, all her life, a homemaker in the fullest sense of that word: wherever she lived, she created a sense of home and provided quiet nourishment and support. She had quite a green thumb, keeping various gardens, mirliton vines, and a porch full of ferns wherever she lived. Grandchildren recall learning about plants, bugs, and birds from her instruction in nature. Her needlework included sewing clothing for children when her sons and grandchildren were young, to accomplished embroidery and cross-stitch works in her later years. She continued to do large cross-stitch works into her 90s. Claire also enjoyed baking, pottery, and reading. Throughout her life, she embodied and practiced love as patient, kind, not putting on airs, bearing and hoping all things.
The family thanks the staff of Serenity Senior Residence for their nursing professionalism, care, and love of Miss Claire in her final months and weeks.
Predeceased by John M. Coleman and Mary J. Wicks Coleman (parents); John M. Coleman, Jr., Donald S. Coleman, Roy H. Coleman, and Irma M. Coleman Guinle (siblings); Thomas W. Raphael (husband); Rebecca Raphael (infant daughter); and Thomas W. Raphael III (grandson).
Survived by sons Thomas W. Raphael, Jr. (Yvonne), Jr., Robert M. Raphael (Carol), David C. Raphael (Rita, deceased), and Raymond R. Raphael (Diane); 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Covenant House, www.coveneanthousenola.org or the Good Shepherd School, www.thegoodshepherdschool.org
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and a graveside service will follow Mass at All Saints Mausoleum.
