Many people reading this obituary will remember "Grandma" or "Aunt Sam" as the little old lady that sat at the barber shop or at Johnnie's. That lady said the same greeting and limited phrases. She loved to air kiss babies and thank Veterans for their service. She handed out suckers to anyone who wanted them. There was so much more to her that Alzheimer's stole too soon.
Claudine Barbara (nee Chaffin) Vails was born on August 31 st , 1932, to loving parents Claude and Oma (nee Brand) Chaffin in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Claudine was so happy to be the sister to Johnny and Glenda. Born in the depression, many of Claudine's uncles moved to California to escape the Dust Bowl. Claudine and her family remained in the Wewoka area where she attended school. When World War II broke out Claudine was in junior high. Her dad was able to get a job working at the bus station in Wewoka and her mom became a "Rosie the Riveter" working as an aircraft mechanic at what is now Tinker Air Force Base.
Claudine was a gifted musician and played the piano, organ and the accordion. She was so talented that she and her sister, Glenda, were asked to sing on the radio and recorded an album. In her later life she played the organ at many church services. Claudine was a member of the Assemblies God Church in Wewoka and that framed most of her life for her deep love of Jesus and the church.
Claudine graduated from Wewoka high school in 1950. She was so proud to be from Wewoka and until her last years knew the alma mater. In 1953 Claudine contracted tuberculosis and spent a year in a Sanatorium. During that time, she corresponded with a guy from Bowlegs named James Vails. Thankfully, Claudine completely recovered from TB against odds at the time. And soon Claudine, in 1954, "five foot two, eyes of blue" got married to James "Jim" Vails.
Son Tony was born as such a blessing given Claudine's former TB diagnosis. Daughter Rhonda followed in 1956. The family moved to Britton in 1961. Claudine loved being a mother and loved her position in the PTA at Harrison Elementary school. Claudine was an amazing leader of the CA's (Christs Ambassadors). As her children got older, she worked as a secretary at the Oklahoma District Counsel of the Assemblies of God. She worked to manage and grow the family businesses in vacuums and construction.
Claudine loved to travel, and her favorite times were watching the Sooners play from their season ticket seats or travelling to see every away Big 8 game. Claudine and Jim took their children and grandchildren on vacations including Disneyland, Disneyworld, Las Vegas and Yellowstone. Her solo travels took her to Europe, Israel, Egypt and Jordan. She enjoyed fall foliage tours all over the United States.
In her fifties, Claudine found a new career at the Oklahoma City Police Department. She loved her work on the second shift in the records division. She decorated the unit for every holiday. She celebrated veterans and received an accommodation from the governor for her work in raising money for the World War II monument in Washington DC. She retired from the police department on her eightieth birthday.
As disease changed her mind she was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Rhonda Miller. Rhonda's care allowed her to live the next twelve years to the fullest. Claudine left her home in Britton for her heavenly home peacefully surrounded by people she loved and that loved her. She is survived by her daughter Rhonda and her son Tony and his wife Debi, grandchildren Kimberly Miller, Todd Miller, Amanda Miller, Jennifer Weaver and Kristen Gilpin. Claudine also delighted in her great grandchildren, Isabella Rohacik, Greyson Hardridge and Landon Gilpin.
Public visitation will be held Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, OK.
Services will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Revive Church in Edmond, OK. Interment is to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK.