Claudia Mae Council

Celebration of Life

Claudia was born June 28, 1932, in Dexter, Georgia, to J.B. and Gertrude Brantley and was raised alongside her older brothers, Joseph, David, and Willie in a Christian home. Her family relocated to Detroit, Michigan, during the Great Migration, and she was educated in the Detroit Public School System, graduating as Valedictorian from Southeastern High School in 1950 and also lettering in basketball, volleyball, and field hockey.

Claudia attended her beloved University of Michigan as a Regents Alumni Scholarship recipient, studying Kinesiology and graduating in 1954 with a B.S. in Education. She was an active member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association and University of Michigan Women. While at Michigan, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Eta Chapter. Claudia maintained longtime membership in the Alpha Rho Omega Chapter, becoming a Pearl Soror in 2022 in recognition of 65 years of service.

She wed the love of her life, Robert T. Council, in 1953, and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage, being blessed with two children. They traveled to several exotic locations during their marriage, including Tahiti, Rio de Janeiro, and Tenerife. They bought their first home in the Russell Woods area of Detroit, where they raised their children. Later in life, Claudia and Robert relocated to Bridgewater Retirement Community in Brownstown, Michigan. Claudia never met a stranger and enjoyed forming friendships with people from all walks of life.

Claudia was employed by the Detroit Public School System from 1954–1987, where she taught not only physical education and hygiene, but also life skills to thousands of students, primarily at McMichael Middle School, where she was rated "Outstanding Teacher." Upon retirement, Claudia worked as a Sales Consultant at Dittrich Furs in Detroit from 1987–1989.

Claudia was always a strong woman of faith, having been baptized at St. Luke Baptist Church in Dexter, Georgia, and teaching Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church in Detroit. On the campus of the University of Michigan, she was very active in the Student Religious Association. She was a charter member of Broadstreet United Presbyterian Church in Detroit, where she was a longtime member, serving in many capacities over the years, including being ordained as an Elder. Subsequently, she joined First Presbyterian Church in Trenton after relocating to Brownstown.

Claudia was a nurturer and a fabulous cook, and one of her love languages was feeding people. The description of the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31:10–31 captures her essence—a woman of noble character, strength, and value.

After her husband's transition in 2019, Claudia relocated to Texas to be nearer to her daughter. She lived the past three years at Walnut Creek Assisted Living in Mansfield, Texas, where she was featured as Resident of the Month three times and was known as the "Trivia Queen."

Claudia lived a rich, full life and is survived by her children, Robert A. Council and Carolyn Kiles (Keith); five loving grandchildren; and seven cherished great-grandchildren. As a testament to the impact she had on their lives, all five grandchildren came from across the country to visit with her in her final days. She is also survived by extended family, neighbors, friends, church members, and former students.

Claudia's legacy, as stated by her, was that she wanted us to know that she was a Christian by her love. She transitioned on August 4, 2026, in Mansfield, Texas.

Her final resting place will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, reunited with her husband, Robert T. Council. A Celebration of Life to honor her memory is pending.