Claudia Belle went home to her Lord on November 16, 2021, peacefully in her sleep. She had just celebrated her eighty-eighth birthday (on November 10) with her namesake (Claudia DoriLynn), great-grandson (Asata) and daughter.

She was educated and graduated from Akron Public Schools. Upon graduation from high school, she met and married Raymond Caldwell in February of 1968. She worked at the downtown O’Neil’s in the men’s department, before becoming a full-time mother.

Claudia grew up in a churchgoing, God-fearing family. With the guidance of her parents, John W. and Clara Belle Harris, she and her siblings formed, “The Harris Gospel Singers”, they performed at various church events. Claudia was a member of Wesley Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Chancer Choir before her illness prevented her from singing. She and her “roadie”, Anna Butler, would perform at numerous church functions. Claudia and Anna were also active bowlers, they received several bowling awards. Claudia loved her family, and she loved the Lord.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John W. and Clara Belle Harris; husband, Raymond Caldwell; son, Spencer Butler, Jr.; daughters, Doris Butler and Debra Butler Stephenson; granddaughter, Rochelle Renee Butler; sisters, Vera Hearns, Dorothy Robinson, Johnnie Mae Bivins, Audrey Jean Heard and Roslyn Thompson-Hill; and brother, Ronald G. Harris.

Claudia leaves to cherish her memory, daughter, Janice M. Butler-Sims of Akron, OH; son, John W. Butler of Akron, OH; grandchildren, RaJohn (Rebecca) Butler of Ravenna, OH, Joshua (Georgina) Sims of Stafford, VA, Claudia DoriLynn Sims of Akron, OH, John W. Butler, Jr. of Columbus, OH, Johnathon (Amber) of Tempe, AZ and Rochelle (Demertick) Butler-Norman of Houston, TX; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Amaya and Adrian Sims of Stafford, VA, Asata Sims of Akron, OH and Gianna Butler of Ravenna, OH; as well as a host of many friends and family.