Claudia D. Williams

Mrs. Claudia Vashti Davis Williams, 100, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, peacefully passed away on December 9, 2024. She was born on March 5, 1924, in Mineral Springs, Arkansas, to the late Fred Douglas Davis and Julia McElroy Davis.

 Claudia graduated from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) in 1945. On December 19 of that same year, she married the late Henry Hewitt Williams, and their union was blessed with four children: John Williams, now Adigun Ampha; Cassandra Williams; Deborah Williams Walker; and Mark Williams.

 In her youth, Claudia was a member of Bethel African Methodist Church in Southwestern Arkansas. After her marriage, she became a devoted member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she faithfully taught Sunday School and participated actively in Women’s Circle #8.

 Claudia began her professional career as a Home Economics teacher at Lincoln High School in Camden, Arkansas, from 1945 to 1952, where she made history as the first black teacher to integrate the school. She later transitioned to elementary education, dedicating 18 years to Townsend Park Elementary and another 18 years to Dollarway Elementary.

After 41 years of service as an educator, Claudia retired and remained deeply engaged in her community. She was an active member of the Pine Bluff Teacher Association and a founding member of the Pine Bluff Quilter’s Guild. Her love for crafting and quilting led her to teach at the Jefferson Comprehensive Center, where she shared her skills and inspired others. Over time, she became a master quiltmaker, and her exquisitely crafted quilts were proudly displayed at local quilt shows, including a featured exhibit at the UAPB museum.

Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Julia Davis; her husband, Henry Hewitt Williams; and her siblings, Ruth Jones, Laura Turney, Thelma Turner, Juanita Patterson, Benjamin Davis, and William Davis and  Freddie Alexander. 

 She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Adigun John Williams Ampha, and daughter-in-law, Shiminege Demery Ampha, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; her daughter, Cassandra A. Williams, also of Pine Bluff; her daughter, Deborah Williams Walker, and son-in-law, Robert Johnson, of Nashville, Tennessee; and her son, Mark H. Williams, and daughter-in-law, Nicole Williams, of Tampa, Florida. Claudia was the proud grandmother of Veronica A. Williams, Dominique A. Williams, Katrina S. Williams, Dannelle F. Walker Whiteside (Sean Whiteside), Ameria P. Williams, David Jon Walker (Noelle Harris), Marko Williams, and Markus Williams. She was also the beloved great-grandmother of Khadijah R. Nzingha Williams Davis, Drew Walker, Rylee Anaiah Curry, Alunai Joy Williams, David Jaron Walker, Dash Noah Walker, Donovan Andre Whiteside, Shannon David Whiteside, and Ronan James Whiteside.

 In addition, she is survived by her sister, Ola Bell Davis Benson, of Omaha, Nebraska, and her sister-in-law, Thelma P. Davis, of Aberdeen, Maryland, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and many devoted friends.

Claudia’s legacy of faith, love, and creativity will forever remain in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her.