Claudette (Smith) Otey, 87, of Mequon, died in Cedarburg, of Parkinson's disease on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Claudette was born in Fayetteville, TN to Annie Clark and William Smith. She was the youngest of 6 children and is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years James, mother Annie, father William, sister Judith, brothers Otis, Fred and Jerry. Claudette is survived by daughters Anita and Kim Otey, grandchildren Faith Otey and Myles Thompson, niece and nephew Jeri and Kevin Smith, many cousins, students and friends.

Claudette was a happy child, who said that she was always surrounded by love. Tragically, she lost her mother to myocardial malfunction at age 11 and relocated to Dayton, OH to live with her father William and stepmother Emma. She returned to TN at age 15 to live with Eula McClullen, a neighbor who raised and cared for her as a family member and taught her many of the core values that she carried throughout her life. She lived with Cousin Eula until she graduated high school and returned to OH to attend Wilberforce University for college. While at Wilberforce Claudette studied Elementary Education, belonged to the University Choir, Drama Guild, was Head Majorette, was voted Miss Personality, met and married her husband of 63 years James, and became a member of the Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1959. She remained an A.K.A. until her passing.

After graduation, Claudette was recruited to teach in the Milwaukee Public School System. She taught elementary education for 33 years, the majority of which was spent at Garden Homes Elementary in Milwaukee, WI. After retiring, she spent an additional 6 years assisting many new teachers with classroom management techniques as a Teacher Consultant. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Claudette created an award-winning Dance Drill Team, which required academic excellence to participate; they won numerous awards, year over year, for their creative mastery and flawless performance execution.

Claudette held herself to the highest standards, and in 1989 was voted Milwaukee's Elementary School Teacher of the Year. In 2010 Claudette received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community, she also received additional acknowledgements from educational administrators, parents, fellow teachers and students.

Claudette said that the biggest influence in forming her identity was her church. She has been a faithful member of St. Mark's AME church for over 65 years. To know Claudette is to know that God put her on Earth to serve others and to teach. She loved teaching, was exceptional at it, and would gladly help anyone. She loved her family immensely and showed that without reservation.

She will be greatly missed, but we know that she will always be guiding us from heaven, and God and the Angels have welcomed her home.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Marks AME church, located at 1616 W Atkinson Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53206, from 10am-noon with a repast to follow the services.