My mother, Claudia Ann Nolan née Chapman, left this world December 2, 2021 at the age of 71 in Lawton, Oklahoma. She was born June 5, 1950 in Yakima, Washington, the 2nd sister of 11 children, to Clyde and Annie Chapman.
She grew up in the church, loved singing in choirs over the years, and always wanted to be a famous singer. Answering a call to serve, she spent the majority of her life taking care of others, working in nursing homes and the health care system. She met her first love, Wesley Clinton Martin, when they were fifteen; she was the girl next door, and he was the handsome rogue parents didn’t approve of. He is mine and my brother Randol’s Dad, and he preceded her in death in 2010.
She met her last husband, William Nolan in 2005, and they were so happy with each other they got married the day after meeting each other. He gave her the life she always deserved, and she was able to retire, travel, spend time with family and start her creative journey. He also preceded her in death in 2015.
Claudia was so loving, she adopted all of her children’s friends as her children, and all of their kids, too. She was a bonus Mom to so many, and a bonus Gigi to many grandchildren.
She loved and cared deeply for every person she met, and would give her last dime to help them out if they needed it.
She loved being in the spotlight, she was a social butterfly, and enjoyed meeting new people whenever she could. She had begun crafting this last year, and made all of her family handmade crafts that came from the heart.
Now comes that part where I tell you that she is survived by almost everyone she knew, and that is a lot of people, so…here goes! She is survived in death by her Daughter, Deborah Nicole Koehn, Son, Randol Jeston Martin, and Daughters Cynthia Volk and Tammy Holmberg, and son-in-laws Andrew Volk and Kelly Holmberg. She has 4 grandchildren, several bonus grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, as well as a few bonus great-grandchildren. She is also survived in death by 6 sisters, Shirley Grimes, Sylvia Serenil, Loretta Batie, Lynn Walker, Beth King, Deborah Duke & 2 brothers, Mack Chapman & Allen Chapman. She is also survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and others who loved her very much.
As she left this world, she was greeted by her parents, Clyde & Annie Chapman, 2 sisters, Yvonne Cole and Pamela Hockenbury, and one grandchild, Haydn Williams, and many other family members who were gone too soon.
Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread to the wind from the top of Mount Scott, and to honor that, her Memorial will be held at the Mount Scott Picnic Area Saturday December 11th, 2021 at 1:00 pm. After we remember her life and tell the stories we need to tell, we will head up the mountain. Check her Facebook page for updates if the weather is bad.
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