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Oct. 10, 1932 – March 21, 2015

LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Services for Claudie Mae Webb Heard, 82, who died peacefully Saturday, March 21, 2015, surrounded by her family, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., will be at noon Saturday at Mountain View Funeral Home, Aspen Chapel, in Lakewood, Wash.

Mrs. Heard was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Natchez, the daughter of Claude and Sophronia Webb.

She grew up in Natchez until the age of 15, at which time she moved to Los Angeles to live with her aunt, Ella Cotton. Shortly after graduating from high school, she joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. There she met and fell in love with a fellow soldier, Frank Heard Jr.

Claudie and Frank married weeks later and began a beautiful, wonderful and adventurous life together.

She enjoyed serving St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where she was a member for more than 40 years. When she wasn’t busy baking or shuttling her brood from one activity to another, she enjoyed giving back by volunteering to help struggling students learn to read at several area elementary schools and participating in Kiwanis Club, Tacoma Mall chapter.

Mrs. Heard was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Katrina Heard Smith; one sister, Irene Thomas; and two brothers-in-law, Jack Leake and Joe Hall.

Survivors include her best friend and husband of 62 years; one son, Frank A. Heard and wife, Tracie; three daughters, Sonya Jones and husband, Toby, of Manassas Park, Va., Ella Johnson of Los Angeles and Francesca Heard of Tacoma; three sisters, Bessie Leake, Naomi Hall and Gail Williams, all of Natchez; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a number of close friends.

Online condolences may be sent to mountainviewtacoma.com.