Claudette Sheila Evelyn

Claudette Sheila Bracy was born on March 10, 1935, in Emporia, Virginia, to Ethel and James Bracey. She was the youngest of three children. Her brother, Charles Bracy, and sister, Nanette Thompson, both preceded her in death. Claudette departed this life on May 7, 2026, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Claudette began her education in a two-room schoolhouse in Emporia, VA. She often shared with pride that when she moved to New Jersey at age 11, she was placed in her appropriate grade level the 5th grade at Lincoln School. At a time when many Black children were placed below their grade level after moving north, she was told her strong communication skills helped ensure proper placement. She graduated from Lincoln School in1949, and East Orange High School in 1953. It was at this point where she began her special bond with her stepfather, Nathaniel Hill.

Claudette met the love of her life, Clifford Evelyn, at her sister’s wedding. They were married on March 30, 1957, at her family home in East Orange, New Jersey. They lived in Newark before settling in Plainfield, NJ, and later enjoyed retirement in Suffolk, VA. Together, they cherished time with family and friends, swimming at the YMCA (Claudette learned to swim at age 63), and traveling. Their loving union lasted 45 years, until Clifford’s passing in 2002.

Claudette began her career at Prudential before dedicating herself to raising her children. Once they were in school, she returned to work as a teacher’s assistant, aligning her schedule with theirs. She was a Cub Scout Den mother and a Brownie Troop leader. She later became an executive assistant to the Director of Human Resources at Hoechst Celanese, from which she retired.

In later years, Claudette moved to Wilmington, DE, to live with her daughter Kim and her family. She became a devoted member of Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church. An avid reader, she enjoyed a wide range of genres and especially loved the Harry Potter series—proudly owning an Albus Dumbledore wand. She was a wonderful cook who rarely needed a recipe and found joy in church fellowship, playing bingo at the Brandywine Senior Center, completing word searches, adult coloring, traveling, and playing Pokeno (which she played to the end!)

Claudette is survived by her children: Daryl Spencer Evelyn (Gail, deceased), Allyson Evelyn-Gustave (Lawson), and Kimberly Kidd (Ernest). She adored her grandchildren: Taylor Evelyn, Tara Evelyn, Nigel Gustave, and Ellington Kidd.

She was deeply loved by a host of relatives, friends, and care givers, throughout her 91 years, a life marked by love, strength, and grace. Her legacy lives on in all who knew her.