Claudia Marie Winters (Dell) Wakefield quietly went to Heaven early Monday morning, November 4, 2013. Over her 95 years, she loved and served her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with her whole being. Preceded in death by her parents; husband, David Wakefield, brother: Ben Dell; sisters: Myrtle Cook, Aldyth Dell. Survived by her children: Ruth Collins, Jonathan Wakefield, Rebecca Adams, Elizabeth Wakefield, 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren.



Claudia was born July 20, 1918 in Moran, Michigan to Claud and Hulda Dell, the first of 4 children. When she was a small child, her mother was putting her shoes on and God spoke to her. He said, ?These feet will one day walk in Africa?. Her mother kept this in her heart, never telling Claudia. When God called Claudia to Africa she hesitated telling her widowed mother. When she finally did tell her mother, she said ? I have known this all of your life, but was waiting for you to tell me?.



Her father passed away when she was 10 years of age, causing her to have to leave school by 10th grade to work to support the family until her siblings were old enough to help. She was a shy girl and desired to gain confidence and communication skills, so one of the first jobs she took was in the first Dairy Queen built, serving customers at the counter.



In 1940, she entered Central Bible Institute, graduating in 1943. She traveled and worked in child evangelism with her friend, Mary (Wakefield) Sanders. While attending CBI, she met David Wakefield and they were married Sept. 8, 1944.



Claudia and David began their ministry pastoring in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma, and preparing to spread the gospel in Nigeria, Togo, and Senegal. Many of their works they pioneered, sometimes the first white family to live with the tribe. She ministered in child evangelism, reaching and teaching many children who went on to become pastors, evangelists, and leaders in the church. She would load her children in the jeep, flannel graph and accordion in tow, and go into the villages to hold Bible clubs under the trees. In her outreach to women, she ministered both The Word and practical living skills: teaching sewing and knitting, basic sanitation, baking bread and boiling water.



Claudia raised and homeschooled her 4 children: Ruth, Jonathan, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. She began teaching them in a mud hut, naming their school the "Golden Rule School". She began while they were very young having evening devotions, teaching Bible stories, songs, memorizing Scripture. She sewed all of their clothes, and knit their sweaters while they were growing up. In the midst of this her door was always open to missionaries of all denominations, travelers and guests. She shopped daily in the market, and cooked and prepared tasty meals for her family and visitors frequently on hand. Hospitality was one of her gifts.



Claudia & David also pastored, OKC Faith Tabernacle previous to going to the mission field, and the Christian Center during the mid-60?s, after returning to the U.S. During the 1960?s, she founded 26 neighborhood Bible clubs in her outreach to children.



Claudia Wakefield encouraged people for a quarter-century through the 24-hour ORU Prayer Tower prayer line, answering over 435,000 phone calls. Her prayer was powerful, and her joy contagious. She was an intercessory prayer warrior, with many stories of the miracles God had done that she loved to share. While working full-time, she continued her child evangelism mission, starting bible clubs in neighborhoods in Tulsa.



Claudia?s 9 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren were very important to her. She spent many hours caring for them and in prayer over their lives. Isaiah 59:21 was given to her as a promise. ?As for Me,? saith Jehovah, ?this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed?s seed,? saith Jehovah, ?from this time forth and forevermore.?



Claudia?s mother, Hulda, held prayer meetings in her home in the early 1930?s. These eventually developed into what became the First Assembly of God in Appleton, Wisconsin. Claudia was the last founding member. She also was a founding member of Christian Chapel, Tulsa, OK and a founding member and board member of The Harvest Church, Tulsa, OK.



We rejoice that she is now dancing on streets of gold with her brother, sisters, and husband, and look forward to seeing her again in God's timing. Her legacy endures and flourishes through her family and friends who remember her fervor to serve God with absolutely everything. Who can find a virtuous woman? Her worth is far above rubies. Strength and honor are her clothing, she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. A woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31



Visitation 6-8 PM, Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Moore?s Southlawn. Service will be 1:30 P.M., Friday, November 8, 2013 at Moore?s Southlawn Chapel.