Claudette Elps

Claudette Sylvia Anna Marie Clark Miller Elps was born on December 6, 1944. Claudette was the proud daughter of John Westley Clark Sr. and Johnnie Dell Clark, and she was the fifth child of nine siblings. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.

Claudette was a graduate of Stanton High School class of 1962. During her final year of high school, she welcomed her first born, Hugo. She then attended FAMU where she met her first husband, Sam Miller. They married, he adopted Hugo, and they had four additional children together (Elton, Beth, Brenda, and Bonita). During their union, the family lived in Miami, Florida. Following the dissolution of their marriage, Claudette returned to Jacksonville with her children. She went on to meet Samuel Elps, her husband of 40 plus years. Together they raised their family and instilled great work ethics, the importance of education, and taught them about caring for the needs of those less fortunate.

Continuing her education was very important to her, therefore she enrolled in Edward Waters College (EWC) and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business accounting. While attending EWC, she also pledged Delta Sigma Theta (Omicron Beta Chapter) in the spring of 1983. She remained very active with her sorority, the EWC Alumni organization, and held various Officer positions that included being financial secretary and sergeant of Arms.

As part of Claudette’s commitment to community engagement, she volunteered at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Academy as a math teacher. In addition, she was involved with Women in Community Action, the Centurion Club and an active member of Duval Teacher’s Union for retired teachers. She also really enjoyed tutoring students in math at her home.

As an educator of over 20 years, Claudette worked for Duval County Public Schools. She was passionate about working with young expecting teen moms. She worked at Darnell Cookman, Beulah Beal, and the Northside Skill Center until her retirement in 2007.

In addition, Claudette was a devoted Catholic parishioner for 50 plus years and attended Saint Pius and the Church of Crucifixion. She was a member of the choir, 4R Committee, and the Ladies of Peter Claver where she also held various Officer positions. She was also involved with the Catholic Women’s organization.

Claudette was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved life, enjoyed, traveling, shopping, dining out, socializing, and trying new things. She especially enjoyed interacting with family, having Sunday dinners and celebrating special occasions. Claudette believed in proper etiquette and had an appreciation for arts and culture. She was a well-rounded individual who enjoyed her retirement years and spending quality time with friends and loved ones.

Claudette Elps was preceded in death by her parents John and Johnnie Dell Clark; siblings, Clara Clark, Veronice Blake, and Nellie Foster; her husband, Samuel Elps; Sons, Hugo Miller and Elton Miller.

She is survived by brothers, Earl (Ella) Clark, John (Saint Elmo) Clark Jr., Tyrone Clark; Sisters, Gwendolyn Williams, Cynthia Pine; Daughters, Beth (Roy) Casey, Brenda Jordan, Bonita Miller; Grandchildren, Brandon (Chantel) Washington, Vincent Grayson, Isaiah (Tenee) Miller, Julian Jordan Jr., Clarissa Jordan, Joshua Tramel and Israel Miller; Great grandchildren, Samia Jordan, Isaiah Miller Jr., Ethan Miller, Orlando Washington, Aiden Washington, and Nathan Miller. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including her dear friends Barbara Jones and Marguerite Warren.