She joined Pilgrim Rest African Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age where she remained faithful until her illness. She was very active in her church. She served as the President of the Usher Board, member of the Gospel Choir, Class Leader, member of the Mary E. Lee Missionary Society, member of the Pastor Aides, member of the Airplane Club, and a member of the Willing Workers. She was also a member of the Junior Women's Civic Club.
She worked in a private home for the Wither's Family. She was also employed with Leisure Lodge Nursing Home which is now the Woods of Monticello and Burlington Industries. She was known as "Mother Handley", "Grandma Claudie", and "Mama Claudie". She enjoyed delivering church bulletins to sick-and-shut-in members, cooking, and delivering dinners to everyone in the community. She went above and beyond the call of duty; including being a taxi driver at the age of eighty-five.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dan Wesley and Katie Mae Harden; five brothers: D. S. Harden, Eugene Harden, Henry Harden, Johnny Lee Harden, and Willis Harden; and four sisters: Larnie Mae Ferrell, Carline Satterwhite, Murl Jean Hendrix, and Sulisteen Riley and two daughters Dorothy Jean Woods and Carolyn Greene.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Sons: Richard (Katherine) Lee Franklin of Detroit, Michigan, Dan (Glenda) Willie Franklin, Camden, Arkansas, Daughters: Pearlie Arrington, Joyce (Dwight) Wells, Kattie Matthews all of Monticello, Arkansas, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Condolences(29)
Vicky R Franklin
clinton twp, MI Sunday, January 10, 2021 Beautiful Tribute, Life long legacyBettye J Jones
Monticello, AR Saturday, January 9, 2021 Sorry for your lost. May god continue to comfort you.Elizabeth (Ann) Strain
Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Absent from the body, but present with the Lord. We will miss her. Up until she became ill, she was faithful in calling and checking on her family in California. We always looked forward to a call from her.Rest In Peace Aunt Claudie!
Kay McClain Worbington
Monticello, AR Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Joyce and Family, You have my sympathy at the loss of your mom. She was a true lady. When I was a child, I remember seeing her at the Withers. I know Mrs. Audie was glad to have Mrs. Claudie's help in taking care of the Withers children. You have my prayers at this sad time.LaKeisha Matthews
North Little Rock, AR Monday, January 4, 2021 Grandma, you meant so much to us all. The generosity, love, and support that you gave us will forever remain in our hearts. We know that you’re in a better place now and that you are rejoicing with the Lord. You will be missed! I love you!Gaynell Jamison
Monticello, AR Monday, January 4, 2021 Joyce and Kattie and Family:It is with deep sympathy that we express words of comfort on the homegoing of your Mom. Mrs. Claudie was one of a kind. She always had an infectious smile and expressed her love through her deeds, good will and acts of kindness. She spent many days caring for our sick and shut in members. She loved her church family as well as her own family. We will miss, but remember those days of her ushering and standing proudly on her charge at the front door of the church. Being the first friendly face that we saw as we entered for morning worship.
Cherish the moments and the memories that you have of your mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc. Know that she will always be smiling down on you.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Paul and Gaynell Jamison
Flora Baldwin
Eudora, AR Sunday, January 3, 2021 SORRY FOR YOUR LOST.Flora Baldwin
Eudora, AR Sunday, January 3, 2021 Sorry for your lost.Sandra Witherspoon
Monticello, AR Sunday, January 3, 2021 May God continue Blessing each of you during your time of loss. We embrace you the family because all of us have a spiritual bond that will connect us for the rest of our lives.Christie
Houston, TX Saturday, January 2, 2021 Praying for your family in this difficult time.Ronda Harden
Los Angeles, CA Saturday, January 2, 2021 Sending much love and prayers to the family. Aunt Claudie was such an amazing and caring person who will truly be missed. May she rest in HEAVEN. With deepest sympathy: Callen, Dolen, Ronda, and Danielle Harden.Denon Weaver
Monticello, AR Saturday, January 2, 2021 I'm so sorry for your loss. In christian love, DenonJo Jordan
Monticello, AR Saturday, January 2, 2021 Sorry for your loss she will be missedHenry Ett McFadden
Detroit, MI Saturday, January 2, 2021 Sending My Condolences To The Entire Family. Love U GuysHenryett Mcfadden
Detroit, MI Saturday, January 2, 2021 Sending My Condolences To The Entire Family. Love U Guys. ❤️❤️❤️.Gerald & Hilda Canada
Bryamt, AR Saturday, January 2, 2021 Sending love and prayers to the family.Brenda Binns
Monticello, AR Saturday, January 2, 2021 I’m praying for your comfort and strenght.. Look to the Hill’s.Trilisa Marshall
Monticello, AR Saturday, January 2, 2021 So sorry for your loss Mrs. Claudie Handley was the most sweetest lady you wold ever wanted to meet. She will truly be missed praying for the family and you all have my condolences, prayers and love and may God comfort and strengthen you all.Barbara A Benton
Monticello, AR Friday, January 1, 2021 Aunt Claudie made it a point to call and check on our parents almost every day. Whenever she could, she would visit. She had a way with words that would make you smile. Before she would hang up, she never neglected to tell us that she loved us. It was a pleasure having her in our lives.Mary (Grace)Rowlett
Little Rock, AR Friday, January 1, 2021 Prayed that God will strengthen you all and this time of bereavement.Grace Rowlett
Dorothy Glover
Monticello, AR Friday, January 1, 2021 will always remember her sweet smileKaren Harrington
Crossett, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 Katie & Joyce, Your mom was a very precious lady!! Always had a smile on her face every time I worked at The Guest House. My condolences to your entire family for this great loss!!Mark@mary wirhers
North little rock, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 Moma claudia was a great woman, joyce and family we are so sorry for y'alls lossWonda Chestnut
Rosenberg, TX Thursday, December 31, 2020 This classy lady had a unique way of making people laugh. I enjoyed her upbeat personality and wisdom. Aunt Claudie had a genuine concern for others and visited the sick whenever possible. My prayers go out to everyone who loved her.nancy chapman
Monticy, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 So sorry for your loss she was a great ladyWe will be praying for y’all
ANITA D RILEY
Monticello, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 KATTIE, JOYCE, AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY, MAY GOD BLESS AND COMFORT EACH OF YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. MRS. CLAUDIE WAS SO MUCH FUN AND A JOY TO BE AROUND. i REMEMBER WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL AND SHE WOULD CALL ON CHRISTMAS AND WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. HER WARM SMILE AND SOFT WORDS OF WISDOM WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!MICHAEL AND ANITA RILEY
Melanie Rawls
, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 Sending our sincere prayers to the entire family in the loss of such a sweet ladtClara Cater
Monticello, AR Thursday, December 31, 2020 Sorry for your loss of your Mom. We loved her when she was at the Guesthouse. She will be missed.Jane Summerford
, AR Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Joyce and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.