Claudia J. Oliver

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Claudia Jean Oliver, affectionally known as Nana to many, was born on January 7, 1944, five minutes before her twin brother Clarence (pre-deceased), to the union of John Paramore and Mattie Lee Dukes (both pre-deceased) at Parkside General hospital in Ferndale, MI.  Claudia completed her 78 years of life and took her rest on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 6:45pm at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI.

Claudia attended elementary and middle school in the Ferndale Public School System – Carver Elementary School and Hutchinson Middle School, and graduated from Wilbur Wright High School in Detroit, MI in 1961. 

Throughout high school and shortly after graduation, Claudia worked at the Detroit Memorial Hospital through a Co-op program as a Dietary Aide with her soon to be Sister-in-law, Sharon, who introduced Claudia to her brother, William (pre-deceased, 2020).  Claudia acquired various certifications in Risk Management and Human Resources and began working for the Underwriters Adjusting Insurance Company as a Typist and Claims Adjuster.  Claudia also worked for Champion Spark Plug as an HR-Industrial Relations Supervisor.  After being laid off – she worked for Northern Wire and Cable as an HR-Benefits Specialist until she retired in 1991.  After retirement Claudia worked part-time for JoAnn Fabrics and various hat Millinery’s as she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and designing and making hats of all kinds. 

Claudia met the love of her life, William Louis Oliver in 1967 and he later asked her to become Mrs. Claudia Jean Oliver, and they were united in marriage on August 22, 1968, at William’s parent’s house in Detroit, MI.  And to this union, Michael Keith Oliver, Sr., and Mark Anthony Oliver were born.

As a child and until marriage, Claudia was a member of Tried Stone Baptist Church in Detroit, MI, and at the age of 18, she became a Sunday School teacher.  After marrying William, she joined the Spiritual Israel Church and Its Army-Temple No. 2 and went right to work!  She was a very hard worker and became the head of the Junior and Senior Nurses and Ushers Board, Director of the Tender Hearts Choir, a reader for the ministers, administrator and organizer over various fund raisers and programs for the Travelers Aide, Pastor’s Aide and Building Fund Auxiliaries at Temple No. 2.  She even started a Girl Scout Troop for the young girls at Temple No. 2 and encouraged other temples to participate. In 1997, Claudia was called to the Mother’s Board as a White Cape Mother.  As she remained dutiful on the Board, she became a Bride Mother in 2017 and received her 25-year elevation as a Gold Cape Bride Mother in June of 2022.  Claudia served at Temple No. 2 until her transition.

Claudia was very creative and loved sewing.  She has made capes for mothers on the Mother’s Board, uniforms, children’s suits, dresses, coats, hats, you name it.  She used to make suits and bow ties for Michael and Mark when they were younger and continued the tradition with her grandson’s MJ and Marc-Jalen, making coats and hats to match for them.  She also made dresses for her niece Tethys and granddaughter Jeanelle. Claudia took a sudden interest into making hats since she liked to wear them and started volunteering at hat Millinery’s to learn and perfect her craft.   She made a lot of hats for women in the Spiritual Israel Church and Its Army and has a wide selection of hats in her collection.

Claudia leaves to cherish her memory:  Sons; Michael Keith Oliver, Sr. (Tina), Mark Anthony Oliver (Cynitra), Father-in-Love, Tillman S. Oliver (Pam);  Brother; George Paramore, Sisters; Deriece Gaines and Wilma Paramore Garrett, Grandchildren; Jeanelle Oliver, Malcolm Swilley, Michael Oliver, II, Marc-Jalen Oliver, and Boston Oliver; Great Grandchildren; Avion Pettis, Musiq Page, Malaya Oliver, Makhi Oliver, Mega Oliver, Maliyah Bell, Malcolm Oliver, II, and Montana Oliver, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and other relatives and friends.  Special Sons & Daughters; Harry Hannah, Carlos and Brenda Jennings, Odessa Preston, Denise Ramsey, and Paul Turner, Jr.  Special Friends; Edwina Sivonen, Rosetta Walker, Marion Robinson, Patrice Taylor and Sharon Cosley.