Claudette Mance-Graves

Claudette Denise Mance-Graves was born on November 09, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Mitchell and Tensor Lee Mashell. Claudette was the second oldest of five children. Her parents eventually moved the family to Los Angeles, California in search of better opportunities. Claudette completed her education at Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California. She would go on to marry her first love, Joseph Cornelius Hickman, in June of 1953. To that union, four children were born: Cynthia Denise, Loretta, Kenneth Renna and Leonard Craig. Claudette and Joseph divorced in 1965.

Claudette was married to Melvin Mance from 1967 to 1979. She found love again in 1988, when she married James (Papa) B. Graves. This union lasted until the Lord called Jimmy home on August 10, 1996.

Claudette joined Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima in June 1960, Claudette served many years on the Usher board, and as mentor for the Youth Ushers. She touched the lives of children, young people, women and men who are forever grateful that God allowed her to pass their way.

Claudette was always eager to learn more about God and to serve. In October 1997, Claudette was excited to travel with Mandie Cubic Ministry to Tennessee where she heard God’s call for her to teach his word. In May of 1988, Claudette answered God’s call and completed her bible study training at Mandie Cubit Ministries. Claudette continued to study the Word of God and shared her love for Him with everyone she met. In 1999, Claudette moved to Lancaster, California, and joined First Missionary Baptist Church (later known as Living Stone Cathedral of Worship) in Sun Village, CA. At First Missionary Baptist Church, Claudette, taught Sunday School and was a member of the Usher Board, Ministry Alliance, Singles Ministry and Drama Ministry. As Claudette continued to grow in the Lord, she completed a comprehensive doctrinal study in Leadership as it pertains to church ministry and church organization.

Claudette worked for Bendix Corporation for 8 years, and later for Lockheed Martin for 22 years. Her career at Lockheed was cut short in 1992, when she suffered a stroke. From 2010 to 2012, Claudette worked at Wal-Mart in Lancaster, California as a greeter, where God used her contagious smile and radiant personality to brighten the lives of many people.

In 2013, Claudette moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to live with her daughter, Loretta. She joined Great Commission Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas where she remained a member until January of 2015, when she returned to California to live with her sister, Loretta Jenkins (affectionately known as NoNo), at Cedars Assisted Living in Northridge, California. Claudette would also return to Calvary Baptist Church. As a testament to her unyielding faith, if she did not have a ride, she would catch the Access Bus to attend Sunday Service, where she shared her beautiful smile and bubbly personality with everyone she met. Finally, in 2018, Claudette moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to be closer to her daughter Loretta, and son-in-law George T. Stewart II. Claudette would remain in Las Vegas, Nevada, until the Lord called her home on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Claudette is survived by her daughters Cynthia Hickman, of Los Angeles, California, Loretta (George) Stewart, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sons Kenneth (Angie) Hickman of Santa Clarita, California, and Leonard (Karen) Hickman of Madison, Wisconsin; sisters Joann Oliver, of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Jane Willis, of North Hollywood, California. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and many friends. Claudette was preceded in death by her parents Mitchell and Tensor Mashell, brother Albert Mashell, sister Loretta Jenkins, husband James B. Graves, and granddaughter Kianna Hickman.