Claudia Gayle Boal

Claudia Gayle (Force) Boal entered this Earthly realm on the final day of 1936 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and quietly departed this Earth in the early morning hours of July 5th, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas. During her 88 years, Claudia took every opportunity to savor each experience a human life had to offer.

She experienced grief as she traversed the depths of emotions death instills as her loved ones, one-by-one preceded her in death—each life a testament to her being. She witnessed three grandchildren, Aubrey and Aaron Stephen and Chynna Boal, gracefully and peacefully perish in their infancy. She traversed the loss of both of her parents, Claud and Gladys (Griffin) Force, her daughter Galya (Stephen) Gifford and most recently her husband of 58 years, Jack W. Boal.

Claudia gained delight in the lives of her four children, Gayla Gifford, Lauren (Dave) Santschi of North Carolina; Dale (Kelly) Stephen, also of North Carolina; and Jack C. (Lay) Boal of Texas—all of which provided her with 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren demonstrating her eternal legacy. Claudia is also survived by her brother, Gary Kim (Susan) Force of Buckeye, Arizona.

Claudia frequently reminisced about her vast involvement with a community band in Torrance, California during her teenage years where she played the saxophone. She was delighted decades later when her grandson, Brad, took up the saxophone and performed at jazz venues such as the Hard Rock Café in multiple states with his high school band through the Subiaco Abbey and Academy in Arkansas. Claudia delighted in listening to the Subiaco Jazz Band perform many times and took great pride in announcing “that’s my grandson” to anyone within earshot.

Claudia took on many job opportunities throughout her life. She often talked of the gossip shared during her time as a waitress at a local supper club in Torrance, California where she met her dear friend, Juanita. She completed training as a nurse but quickly decided changing bedpans was not for her and she moved on to working the jewelry counter at Montgomery Ward, a job that further fueled her desire for “sparkles and bling”. Claudia also spent time as a real estate agent, also in Torrance. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1987, they moved to Oklahoma City to help care for her parents in their final years. They later lived near Branson, Missouri, Copperas Cove, Texas and Buckeye, Arizona.

Claudia had a love for film and throughout her life, she strove to emulate Elizabeth Taylor as she bore a striking resemblance to the star. Claudia always “dressed to the nines” and the flashier, the better. She lived her final years at Fox Ridge Assisted Living and often bragged of being the “best dressed” of everyone there. During her recent illness, she was quite angry that the medical staff removed her jewelry because she “felt naked” without it.

In most recent days, Claudia graced the halls of Hickory Heights Skilled Nursing where she made the therapists earn their pay as she worked to grow stronger so she could return to her apartment at Fox Ridge where she had developed many friendships. This, however, was not to be. Claudia’s final act was to fall asleep after watching the sparkling fireworks celebrating our nation’s Independence Day. She passed peacefully in her sleep a few hours later.

Although she lived her life with zest, pomp and circumstance, Claudia wished to exit this world in a quiet and intimate way. She expressed her wishes for a simple internment with her husband, alongside her parents. Her wishes will be respected and internment will take place at the Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 3 PM on Saturday, July 12th, 2025.

To view the graveside service, please click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/5lac-ko2VMw?si=gUgAWmCPPQ016KfF