Gretchen was born the fifth child of Billy and Doshia (Batts) Lewis, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was reared in the Stoner Hill COmmuunity.
Mrs. Claiborne joined the Johnson Chapel Methodist Church in 1922, where she was baptized. She was a lifelong member, serving faithfully, diligently, and untiringly in every aspect of the church.
All of her public school requirements were met in Shreveport, and further education was completed at Kansas State University, Wiley College, and Chicago University.
On August 7, 1938 she united in holy wedlock with Mr. Reese Claiborne, who preceeded her in death (1998). They raised a daughter, Emma Jean (Gibbs) Jones, who also preceeds her in death. Emma was the daughter of her late sister Aunt, Mattie (Dennis) Gibbs.
She was retired from Caddo Parish School Board as Director of Foods and earlier in her career as Commerical Foods Teacher. Her services to children, teachers and communities throught the state of Louisiana was outstanding. She was honored and priviledged to be the first black Director of Commercial Food Services in Caddo Parish. She also supervised all details of banquets for African-American functions, such as the Louisiana Teacher's Association (LTA), most of which were held at Booker T. Washington High School.
Mrs. Claiborne served as dietician in Louisiana for over 38 years, and worked as nutritionist for the Head Start Program until her retirement from the school system.
She was a member of many local, national, and civic organizations, and was regarded throughout the state and sorrounding areas with much respect and high esteem.
Mrs. Claiborne joined the Johnson Chapel Methodist Church in 1922, where she was baptized. She was a lifelong member, serving faithfully, diligently, and untiringly in every aspect of the church.
All of her public school requirements were met in Shreveport, and further education was completed at Kansas State University, Wiley College, and Chicago University.
On August 7, 1938 she united in holy wedlock with Mr. Reese Claiborne, who preceeded her in death (1998). They raised a daughter, Emma Jean (Gibbs) Jones, who also preceeds her in death. Emma was the daughter of her late sister Aunt, Mattie (Dennis) Gibbs.
She was retired from Caddo Parish School Board as Director of Foods and earlier in her career as Commerical Foods Teacher. Her services to children, teachers and communities throught the state of Louisiana was outstanding. She was honored and priviledged to be the first black Director of Commercial Food Services in Caddo Parish. She also supervised all details of banquets for African-American functions, such as the Louisiana Teacher's Association (LTA), most of which were held at Booker T. Washington High School.
Mrs. Claiborne served as dietician in Louisiana for over 38 years, and worked as nutritionist for the Head Start Program until her retirement from the school system.
She was a member of many local, national, and civic organizations, and was regarded throughout the state and sorrounding areas with much respect and high esteem.
Gretchen was born the fifth child of Billy and Doshia (Batts) Lewis, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was reared in the Stoner Hill COmmuunity.
Mrs. Claiborne joined the Johnson Chapel Methodist Church in 1922, where she was baptized. She was a lifelong member, serving faithfully, diligently, and untiringly in every aspect of the church.
All of her public school requirements were met in Shreveport, and further education was completed at Kansas State University, Wiley College, and Chicago University.
On August 7, 1938 she united in holy wedlock with Mr. Reese Claiborne, who preceeded her in death (1998). They raised a daughter, Emma Jean (Gibbs) Jones, who also preceeds her in death. Emma was the daughter of her late sister Aunt, Mattie (Dennis) Gibbs.
She was retired from Caddo Parish School Board as Director of Foods and earlier in her career as Commerical Foods Teacher. Her services to children, teachers and communities throught the state of Louisiana was outstanding. She was honored and priviledged to be the first black Director of Commercial Food Services in Caddo Parish. She also supervised all details of banquets for African-American functions, such as the Louisiana Teacher's Association (LTA), most of which were held at Booker T. Washington High School.
Mrs. Claiborne served as dietician in Louisiana for over 38 years, and worked as nutritionist for the Head Start Program until her retirement from the school system.
She was a member of many local, national, and civic organizations, and was regarded throughout the state and sorrounding areas with much respect and high esteem.
Mrs. Claiborne joined the Johnson Chapel Methodist Church in 1922, where she was baptized. She was a lifelong member, serving faithfully, diligently, and untiringly in every aspect of the church.
All of her public school requirements were met in Shreveport, and further education was completed at Kansas State University, Wiley College, and Chicago University.
On August 7, 1938 she united in holy wedlock with Mr. Reese Claiborne, who preceeded her in death (1998). They raised a daughter, Emma Jean (Gibbs) Jones, who also preceeds her in death. Emma was the daughter of her late sister Aunt, Mattie (Dennis) Gibbs.
She was retired from Caddo Parish School Board as Director of Foods and earlier in her career as Commerical Foods Teacher. Her services to children, teachers and communities throught the state of Louisiana was outstanding. She was honored and priviledged to be the first black Director of Commercial Food Services in Caddo Parish. She also supervised all details of banquets for African-American functions, such as the Louisiana Teacher's Association (LTA), most of which were held at Booker T. Washington High School.
Mrs. Claiborne served as dietician in Louisiana for over 38 years, and worked as nutritionist for the Head Start Program until her retirement from the school system.
She was a member of many local, national, and civic organizations, and was regarded throughout the state and sorrounding areas with much respect and high esteem.
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