Claudia was born on August 18, 1940, in Austin, Texas. She was the second of four children born to George and Luella Norwood. Claudia's parents faithfully raised her and her brothers and sister at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, pastored by O. H. Washington, who baptized Claudia at a young age. In 1968, Claudia met and fell in love with Willie Donald (Don), a young Airman, stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base. Don and Claudia married, and God blessed this union with two daughters – Ina and Keisha. Don met with great success in the Air Force, and with Claudia by his side, he achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant – the highest possible rank for a Non-Commissioned Officer. As an Air Force family, Don, Claudia, and the girls traveled the world domestically and abroad until Don was stationed at Norton AFB, San Bernardino, California, in 1981. Claudia maintained a thriving career as well – graduating from the University of Guam with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and earning her teaching credentials; she spent her life developing children's minds from pre-school to 5th grade in Arkansas, Florida and California before retiring in 2001.Claudia loved being a military wife and traveling to lands that she could have only dreamed of as a young girl growing up in Austin, TX. Some of her favorite places were Istanbul, Turkey, Greece, England, and, of course, her favorite - Guam. Not only was Claudia a student in Guam, but she also fostered new talents and hobbies for the first time on the island. Claudia played tennis, painted, and took up pottery. She was even featured in the local newspaper for her ability to create beautiful vessels with extremely long nails. At every stop, Claudia and her husband found a church home for their family, and in June of 1989, Don and Claudia joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of Dr. Lemar Foster, Senior. Don and Claudia were active church members for the next fourteen (14) years, regularly attending and teaching Sunday school and serving on the Usher Board. In later years, Don and Claudia became Deacon and Deaconess Donald, and in 1998, Claudia enthusiastically supported Don as he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board. Claudia enjoyed praying and sharing her testimony with others. She loved the Lord, her husband, and her family. In 2004, Don and Claudia relocated to Garland, TX, where they joined and were active members of the Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church family under the pastorship of Dr. Leonard Leach. After retirement, Claudia also joined a call-in prayer network that gave her the ability to pray with and for people in need from all over the country.Claudia loved creating, procuring, and appreciating precious items from her travels around the world. She was herself a designer's original, known for her beauty, glamour, and sense of style. Claudia lit up any room she entered with her smile and notable "walk."Claudia is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don, her mother and father, her sister- Eunice, and her brother, James. She leaves behind to cherish her memory two daughters – Ina Hasenberg (Eric) and Keisha Butler (Paul Slack); three grandchildren – Automne, Masai (Melissa), and Travis; three great-grandchildren – Benjamin, Nola, and Ozias; a brother – Rathers, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.