Celebrating the life of . . . . Claudine M. Best
August 28, 1926 - May 25, 2023
Public Visitation: June 3, 2023
1-6pm
S.E. Thomas Funeral & Cremation Services
110 Highland Avenue, Thomasville, NC 27360
Family Visitation: June 4, 2023
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Emmanuel Baptist Church
204 Turner Street, Thomasville, NC 27360
Funeral Services: June 4, 2023
1:30 pm
Emmanuel Baptist Church
204 Turner Street, Thomasville, NC 27360
Her Journey
Claudine Best was returned home to glory on May 25, 2023, at the age of 96. She was a devoted Christian and loved our God and her family. She believed that a strong relationship with Jesus and a good education were essential to life. Claudine was born to the late Mildred Layne and Gladstone Callender on August 26, 1926, on the island of Barbados. She moved to the United States at age 14.
In the mid 1950’s she graduated from Boston City Hospital nursing school and worked as a Nurse for many years. Claudine was blessed with a large and loving family. She married Rev. Prince Albert (PA) on September 22, 1956, in Boston, Massachusetts. They spent many years living in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1961 where they would eventually adopt 3 beautiful children. She raised them with patience, discipline, love, and a strong foundation in the church.
She was also camp nurse and one of the cooks at Bethel Bible Camp, as well as lifetime board member of Rose of Sharon Church. Some of her favorite hobbies and passions included being an avid gardener, cook, and lover of reading.
In 2009, Claudine moved to Thomasville, NC and attended Emmanuel Baptist Church (EBC).  As a member there, she was considered the eldest mother of the church, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the EBC "Golden Girls". She was immersed in her faith and was influential in helping other members of EBC and the surrounding community.
From the very beginning, she dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of his scriptures. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with our creator.
She is predeceased by her husband PA Best and son Gordon (Gordy) Best.
Claudine is survived by her daughter Cindy (Gary) Fells of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and son Gregory (Kelly) Best of Kelona, British Columbia; grandchildren Gary Best, Tyrone (Camela) Fells, Melissa Fells, Tyler Best, Brandon Pinkney and Vanessa Fells, as well as her great- grandchildren Evvie-Belle Best, Nova Jo Fells, and baby boy Fells to be born in August); brother David (Phyllis) Callender, cousins Barbara and Kendrick A. Haywood, Andrea Armstrong, Jacqueline Hairston, and Denise Bell as well as many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends in Massachusetts, Italy and Barbados.
