YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – The local community and state of Ohio have lost one of their biggest and most passionate advocates for gifted children in the city, and the messages of their former students from across the country are testament to this. They all knew she was their advocate.
Claudette Richardson-Clinkscales, 66, of Youngstown, was born on October 17, 1954. On Wednesday, July 14th, 2021, she got her heavenly wings.
Meanwhile, the daughter of Ollie J. Richardson Sr. and the late Virginia Richardson worked tirelessly to share their talents and passion – to increase the number of gifted minority children in one of the only time-gifted programs in the state of Ohio located in Youngstown City Schools.
Claudette was a proud “Golden Bear” who graduated from East High School in 1973. She attended and graduated from Youngstown State University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in education, and later received a master’s degree in gifted education from the same institution.
Youngstown East High School Alumni Tribute
She began her educational career in 1987 at West Elementary, Youngstown, teaching the gifted program. She learned all her life and regularly attended courses and workshops at various colleges and universities to offer her young scientists new ideas and opportunities. While Claudette has received many professional awards throughout her career, the most notable was nominated and selected for Ohio Gifted Teacher of the Year in 2001 by the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. She was a member of the Youngstown Alliance of Black School Educators (YABSE). , worked on a summer STEM program for middle school students at YSU and also served as a cheerleading coach. Her reach with her students was great because it gave them outside of the classroom experiences that extended beyond the school day into their evenings and weekends. Whether Lake-to-River Science Fair, Odyssey of the Mind, MathCounts, Robotics, Challenge 24 or Destination Imagination, their students always came home with awards in the form of ribbons, medals and trophies. Many of their teams qualified for the state and their participation in their academic competitions created a scholarship climate that led to success. Her proudest achievement would be the effect she had on hundreds of her students and their families. “Mrs. Richardson,” as she is affectionately known, has influenced many careers and her former students include doctors, lawyers, nurses, an assistant pastor, air traffic controllers, government officials, executives, and of course, teachers. She has up to taught three generations of students and her influence has made a difference to many. Even beyond retirement, Claudette maintained many relationships with her colleagues and students. In her spare time, Claudette mostly did school-related projects, but she also loved crafts, movies, shopping, Puzzles, line dancing and she loved to laugh. It was a hearty laugh with a big beautiful smile! That’s how we have to keep her in mind.
She goes to her loving husband, Lucius, to keep her memory; her children, whom she loved dearly: a daughter, Nichole (Jerry) Perry of Youngstown and two sons, Dwaylon (Danielle) Richardson of Columbus and Lucian Clinkscales of Youngstown; her father Ollie Richardson, Sr. and her siblings: Sharon Kay Muldrow, Gloria (David) Blackmon, Sr., both from Youngstown, Valerie (Ricky) Fleetion from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Rosalind Ratliff from Whitehall, Ohio, Diane Hall of San Bernardino, Calif. And Lugean (Frank) Henderson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and their brothers Gregory Richardson and Quincy (Sabrina) Jones, Sr., both of Youngstown; her grandchildren, Braylon Richardson, Sr., Shayla ‘Adams, Sha’Nae Adams, De’Vaun Adams, Jailon Perry and Jaiden Perry, Dalis Richardson, Quinn Richardson and MacKenzie Harris; her great-grandchildren, Bra’Nye Richardson, Brandi Williams, Darri’Aughn Mason, Bra’Najah Williams, Braylon Richardson, Jr., Brandon Williams, Jr., Tiy’Lynne Richardson, and Tiy’Yarra Richardson; her aunts, Minnie L. Erkard of Youngstown, Ohio, and Willie Matthew of Alabama, and loads of nieces, nephews, cousins, students, coworkers, and friends who were very dear to her.
Her mother preceded her in death; her four brothers Freddie Hamilton, Chester Richardson, Ollie “Chubby” Richardson, Jr. and Randall “Randy” Richardson and their grandparents, Minnie Anderson, Julia Benjamin, Percy Lett, Sr. and Marion Anderson.
Instead of flowers, the family asked for a donation to commemorate the student activity fund of Rayen Early College Middle School on the Williamson campus, c / o Dr. Maureen Donofrio, RECMS Principal, 58 Williamson Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44507. Contributions Con is used by the school to pay the cost of academic competition fees for disadvantaged gifted minors. Claudette had personally contributed to the cost of each of her students for many years, so this would be an appropriate way to recognize her educator legacy and to make her memory a blessing.
Arrangements edited by FD Mason Memorial Funeral Home.
A TV Tribute will air Thursday, July 22, at the following approximate times: 6:43 a.m. on WYTV, 9:32 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX, and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV.
