Forever Our Mother, Our Grandmother, Our Heart

Some people leave this world, but they never truly leave us. Their love becomes a part of who we are, their voices become memories we hold close, and their presence remains in the little things that remind us of home. For our family, that person will forever be Claudine Fletcher.

On October 16, 2026, at Providence Hospital, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Claudine Fletcher, peacefully departed this life at the age of 74. Although our hearts are heavy and our lives will never quite be the same, we find comfort in knowing that her pain has ended, her worries have been lifted, and she is finally resting in peace.

Born on January 6, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, Claudine was a woman of strength, determination, resilience, and a love for her family that could never be measured. She completed her high school education and went on to build a successful career as a supervisor with the Teamsters, dedicating 20 years of hard work and service. She was a woman who understood the meaning of responsibility, perseverance, and doing what needed to be done, even when life wasn't easy.

But beyond her accomplishments and the years she spent working, Claudine's greatest legacy was not what she did for a living, but the lives she helped shape, the family she held together, and the love she poured into her children and grandchildren.

To know Claudine was to know a woman who loved her music, her movies, and the comfort of her own home. She had a special love for Anita Baker, whose timeless music could fill a room with memories and emotion. And if you ever walked into Claudine's home, there was a good chance you would find her sitting comfortably in her favorite green recliner, watching one of her movies with the surround sound turned up loud enough for the entire neighborhood to enjoy!

Whether she was watching The Five Heartbeats, 8 Mile, or Malibu's Most Wanted, she was in her own little world, enjoying the simple things that made her happy. Those moments, which may have seemed so ordinary at the time, are now some of the memories we will treasure the most.

Oh, how we wish we could walk into that room just one more time, see her sitting in that green recliner, hear that television playing way too loud, and simply know that Mommy was home.

It's funny how the little things we once took for granted become the very things we would give anything to experience again.

Claudine was more than a mother. She was our foundation, our strength, and a constant presence in our lives. She dedicated so much of herself to her children and grandchildren, often putting their happiness, needs, and well-being before her own. She gave in ways that words could never fully explain and sacrificed in ways we may never completely understand.

She wasn't just there for the big moments in our lives. She was there for the everyday moments—the ones that didn't seem extraordinary at the time but now mean everything.

As a grandmother, Claudine created a lifetime of memories for her grandchildren. She gave them experiences, laughter, love, and moments that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. She didn't just help raise a family; she helped create a legacy.

The love she gave her grandchildren will continue through them, through the stories they tell, the memories they share, and the traditions they pass down to their own children. Long after today, there will still be conversations that begin with, "Remember when Grandma..." followed by laughter, tears, and stories that remind us just how special she was.

And that is how we know her love will never die.

Claudine leaves behind a family who will forever carry her in their hearts, including her three loving daughters, Selina Alverez, Ortika Fletcher, and Jasmine Fletcher; her beloved grandchildren, Robert McCoy, Malcolm Alverez, Matthew Spraggins, E'manual Washington, Taylor Alverez, Roemello Williams, and E'lijah Taylor; along with her cherished great-grandchildren Ja’lani Alverez, Joseph Alverez, Melody Alverez, and Benjamin Lawson.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her father, Walter Spraggins; several siblings; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and loved ones whose lives were made better simply because she was a part of them.

Claudine was preceded in death by her loving mother, Dora Spraggins; several beloved siblings; and her precious great-grandchild, Damari McCoy.

While our hearts ache, knowing that we must continue this journey without her physical presence, there is something beautiful and comforting in imagining the reunion that awaited her in heaven.

We imagine her being welcomed by her mother, her siblings, and all those who went before her. But one of the sweetest thoughts of all is knowing that Grandma gets to hold our heavenly baby, Damari McCoy, once again.

No more pain. No more suffering. No more worries. Just peace, love, and a beautiful reunion that makes saying goodbye a little easier.

A Final Message to Our Mommy

Mommy,

How do we say goodbye to someone who has been a part of our entire lives?

How do we put into words what it means to lose the woman who gave us life, helped shape who we are, and loved our children as only a grandmother could?

The truth is, we can't.

There will never be enough words to thank you for everything you did, every sacrifice you made, every memory you created, or every piece of yourself you gave to your family.

We know life wasn't always easy, and we know there were times when you carried burdens that we may never fully understand. But through it all, you gave us something that time, distance, and even death can never take away—the gift of your love and the memories of a lifetime.

We are going to miss you in ways we haven't even begun to understand.

We will miss your voice. We will miss your presence. We will miss knowing that you are just a phone call away.

We will miss that green recliner, those loud movies, and the familiar sounds of your home.

We will miss the comfort of simply knowing you were here.

And when the holidays come, when birthdays pass, when something wonderful happens, or when life becomes difficult, there will always be a part of us wishing we could share just one more moment with you.

But we promise that your story will not end here.

We will speak your name. We will tell your stories. We will laugh about the things you did. We will remind your grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the woman who loved them so deeply.

We will make sure they understand that their grandmother was not just someone who lived before them, but someone whose love helped make their lives what they are today.

Thank you, Mommy, for loving us the best way you knew how.

Thank you for the sacrifices, the laughter, the lessons, the memories, and the years we were blessed to call you ours.

And most importantly, thank you for being our Mommy.

Today, we release you from the pain of this world, but we will never release you from our hearts.

Rest peacefully, Mommy. You have done enough. You have carried enough. You have given enough.

Now it is your turn to rest.

Give Grandma Dora and everyone waiting in heaven our love. And Mommy, please wrap your arms around our precious baby Damari. Hold him close, give him all the kisses and hugs we wish we could give him ourselves, and let him know how much he is loved and missed here on earth.

We know you will take good care of him until we are all together again.

And although tears fill our eyes as we say these words, we refuse to believe that this is where our story ends.

Because in true Claudine Fletcher fashion, we won't say goodbye.

Instead, we will say it exactly the way you always did...

"SEE YOU LATER!!!"

We love you, Mommy. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our Mommy and Grandma.

Rest in Heavenly Peace, Claudine Fletcher.January 6, 1952 – October 16, 2026