Aphra Justice Claverie flew into the arms of Our Lord after a lengthy struggle with dementia on Thursday, Nov. 16.  She was surrounded by family, her dear caregiver, and members of the hospice group who had treated her with endless care and compassion.

Aphra was born on June 7, 1941, in New Orleans, to Charles G. Justice, Jr. and Aphra Morris Justice.  Aphra attended Miss Aiken's Primary School, and graduated from Louise McGehee School in 1959.  She then attended the University of Alabama for one year, and LSU for a year. She was gifted with two brothers, Charles G. Justice III (Patty), and Baldwin Karl Justice, who was tragically lost in an auto accident in 1981 at the age of 30.

Aphra wed the love of her life, Peter Claverie, on May 5, 1962.  Peter's career moved them to the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. in 1963, where they were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Aphra Claverie Bond (Darren), and Paula Claverie Sappington (Donnie).

The young Claverie family returned to New Orleans in 1969. In 1975, when both Aphra(IV) and Paula were of school age, Aphra began working at Trinity Episcopal School, first as Registrar, then as Director of Admissions. To know Aphra is to know her deep love for Trinity School, and especially the lifelong friendships she made there.  As her family looks back at her life, it can be perfectly summed up in alignment with the school's values:  gentle, generous, truthful, kind, and brave.

She served at Trinity until 1992, when Peter and Aphra moved to Robert, LA to run the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center: Peter as Executive Director, and Aphra as Director of Marketing and Guest Relations.  Aphra always felt lucky to be in service of this God-centered mission, especially in such a beautiful place. She loved graciously welcoming folks from around the state to the Center and was a true disciple in that role. A favorite event for her at the Center was the annual Joy Conference, which filled her soul and provided more lifelong friendships.

No longer living an 8-5 life, she was able to spend wonderful time with family.  She felt especially blessed to be able to spend so much time with her mother during her mother's protracted illness, and she found endless delight with family and friends.

Aphra and Peter retired from the Conference Center in 2006, and moved to Covington. Her daughters had moved away from New Orleans, Aphra to Taos with husband Darren, and Paula to Memphis, her husband Donnie's home. In 2010,  when the pull of family became too strong, Aphra and Peter moved to Memphis.   Since then, they have cherished their priceless time with Paula and grandchildren, Colby, Ellie, and Mia. And of course Aphra and Peter traveled routinely to visit Aphra(IV) and her children Aphra(V), Peter, and Aidan in New Mexico, and hosted family gatherings at their home in Memphis. Family was Aphra's joy.

In the last few years of her life, Aphra's dementia progressed considerably.  Throughout her struggle with this most cruel disease, Aphra maintained her dignity, her poise, and her kind, gentle disposition. Her family is forever grateful to her wonderful and dedicated caregiver, Tequila Henderson ("T") who cared for the whole family in an exceptional way.

Aphra is preceded in death by her parents, Aphra(II) Morris Justice Perez, and Charles G. Justice Jr, and her younger brother, Baldwin Karl Justice.  She is survived by her adoring husband of 62 years, Peter Claverie; her brother, Charlie Justice (Patty); her daughters Aphra(IV) Bond (Darren) and Paula Sappington (Donnie); her grandchildren Aphra(V) Kingsley (Justin), Peter Bond, Aidan Bond;  Colby Sappington (Nelly), Ellie Sappington, and Mia Sappington;  and her great-grandchildren Aphra(VI) Grace Kingsley, Emma Elizabeth Kingsley, Leia Frances Kingsley, and Ever Alba Sappington.

A memorial service will be held in Memphis at Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 11am Wednesday, November 29th, with a visitation preceding the service at 10am.

A service will be held at Trinity Church in New Orleans at a later date, likely in January.

In Aphra's memory, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans; the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center in Robert, LA; or Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Memphis.