Obituary
I am the church: You are the church;
it’s not the building; it’s You and Me.
It’s you and me, you and me.
Jesus on the inside, shining through me.
You and me, You and me,
it’s not the building it’s you and me”.
Words spoken and sang by our beloved, Dad, Poppa, Brother, Uncle, Grandad, Great-Grandad, Pastor, and Friend,
Pastor Claudell Huey
Claudell Huey was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Charity Hospital on January 1, 1942. His parents, Carnell and Lou Audrey Huey, left Shreveport when he was three years old and moved to San Francisco, California, a city where he would grow up and come to love dearly throughout his life. At the age of six, in 1948, Claudell was hit by a car, and the lady dragged him down Post Street. He was rushed to Stanford Hospital (when it was in San Francisco) and became a case as well as a display for multiple doctors. After many procedures and operations, the Lord healed young Claudell.
Claudell remembered that his school environment was quite integrated while society and the neighborhood were showing signs of segregation. Claudell was charming and always had great influence among his peers and their parents. While he was using his influence for himself, he really didn’t understand at that time that this would be a characteristic that the Lord would use in his future. He was also smart, and because he had a “rep” to maintain, he only used the art of listening when test time came in school. He would not do much homework in any of his classes, but when it was time to take a test, Claudell would listen to what the teacher reviewed for the test, learn it as he listened, take the test, and not only pass, but he would get an “A.” One particular instance he recalled practicing this strategy at Benjamin Franklin Junior High School. His teacher wanted to flunk him because he had not done any of the homework but aced the test. She said that he “wasn’t living up to [his] potential.” His mom, Lou Audrey, showed up to the school and let the teacher know that she would pass Claudell because, with the test, he showed that he knew the material. He graduated and went on to Galileo High School. Sports was the focus for Claudell at Galileo High School. While he was a good player in all sports, he excelled in basketball, but not enough, so he decided to take another route. He joined the armed services.
Claudell entered the service with one of his friends, James, and their plans were to make a career out of the armed services. James qualified for tech school, but they did not assign Claudell to the same thing. It was 1959. Claudell had tested high, just like James, but, given his skin color, they didn’t want Claudell in tech. They believed that he would do better as a cook or with a rifle in his hand… “stuff like that.” Many disappointments like this would follow Claudell, but one particular action brought him recognition. He, along with other soldiers, participated in a lunch counter sit-in that led to that particular restaurant becoming an integrated establishment. That was a victory for the community, but it led to the end of Claudell’s career in the armed services. He eventually received an honorable discharge, which led to his return home, where he would begin a family, and his first child, Ginger, would be born. Through many challenges, Claudell decided to go into the music business, where he was able to produce some hits that are still being played in other countries today. However, because that was not the path that the Lord had designed for his life, the music business made money on his songs, but he was only able to see small profits. Eventually, things became rocky in Claudell’s life, leading to legal issues.
“When they sent me to jail, I knew I would be headed to prison. They had 17 to 18 counts against me, and they read them out, but then the Lord saved me. I remember that I had decided that it was time to leave San Francisco. I was going to hitch a ride, and I had a sign that had two cities on it. A driver stopped, looked at my sign, and asked me, ‘You going to San Jose?’ I looked down, and the sign was showing San Jose. I told the driver, ‘Yes,’ and headed to San Jose, CA. I ended up in downtown San Jose. As I was walking, I noticed a pizza place called Sal’s and Luigi’s, and right next to it was this small church, and I could hear singing. I went inside, saw a bunch of young kids singing, and then I listened to the preacher as he began to talk about the love of Jesus and how He died to save us from our sins. I remember going to the front of the church. This man of God prayed for me, and I remember the addictions to cocaine, gambling, drinking—ALL OF IT—left me. I no longer had a desire for those things in that instant.” Claudell Huey became Brother Huey, then Elder Huey, leading to Pastor Huey.
Although things did not work out with Ida Huey, they remained friends, and the Lord brought him Willette. They would build a life that resulted in not just their union, but the union of all family members. Ginger, Elizabeth, and the birth of Shelene would be brought together, and what happened after that was nothing more than a perfect picture of God’s love. To this day, people have wondered how a family could have all members from former relationships come together and everyone live in harmony. It’s nothing but the love of Jesus.
Pastor Huey often said that his story was never really about him. It was about a God who could take a broken boy from San Francisco, a rebellious airman, a man lost in music and gambling, and turn him into a shepherd of souls. Every chapter of his life had been another verse in a song he didn’t know he was singing until grace gave it melody. The family still laughs at old stories, still tells new ones, and when they gather, someone in their heart hums the tune: “I am the church, you are the church… it’s not the building, it’s you and me.” For the Hueys, that song became more than lyrics; it became legacy. Through joy and loss, faith and forgiveness, they learned that the Church isn’t just a place they go on Sunday—it’s the love they live every day. And as Pastor Huey often reminds them, smiling through the years, “As long as Jesus is shining through us, the Church will never close.”
He is survived by his daughters Rhonda, Ginger, Elizabeth, and Shelene; his son Theophilus; his granddaughters Eden and Shabronda; his great-grandchildren; his sisters Virginia Spears and Belinda Cobb (Fred); his brothers Fred Ross and Cornelius Ross (Monique); his niece Kimberly Greene; his best friend, Pastor Archie Levias, Jr.; and a host of friends, nieces, nephews, and godchildren, whom he loved dearly. Those who preceded him in death were his parents, Lou Audrey Ross and Carnell Huey; his stepfather, Alie “Pop” Ross; his wife, Willette Huey; and his brothers Johnell Huey and Alan Ross.
His kindness and love will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know him, and may we find strength in the cherished memories that will forever remain.
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Ranisha Watson (Benford)
Pastor Huey, you were a huge light to this world! Your love for God and praising Him will live on through Shelene and countless others. May your example of being his vessel live on forever.
Love you always!
- Desiree Peterson
Elder Huey was to the Wayne & Debra James family our Pastor, a great friend, a godfather, a confidant, and a loving part of our family. I remember when Elder Huey started Pastoring, with his sweet wife Willette, our first building was a space at a bowling alley. Shortly afterwards New Mission was blessed with a new building where the vision of our Pastor for the church continued to be a place where folks could come and hear the spoken word of God, that would enrich their souls to know “I am the church; You are the church; It’s not the building…
We are grateful to have been a part of the sweet New Mission Church family under his leadership.
Elder Huey is not going to be missed, he’s already missed! His Ministry; his wisdom; his loving kindness, his sense of humor; his songs ministry and his smile. While the physical presence is gone from us, the love, memories, and lessons learned will remain in our hearts.
Elder Huey’s sweet Family,
We are praying that God will surround you with his love
Pop's we love you so much. Your memories will always be a part of our life.
Rest in Gods Arms🕊
May God give you comfort and strength. 💗
To Dad I can remember when we would go to work together at midnight to the warehouse and do janitorial work and after work you would let me drive home from downtown San Jose to the house and we would keep it to ourselves until I got better than we told mom about it. Then you would go to sleep and wake up and go to your day job in Fremont at the furniture store. And after you got home you would rest for a while and then get dress and go to church everyday. And I would leave with you to play the drums. That I am going to really miss you . I have no one to call and say I am just checking up on you. And I love you. I am going to miss calling you on your birthday and saying happy birthday to you. You made me the man I am now not by talking but by showing how much you love mom. I watch so close how you and mom reacted towards each other’s and how much y’all love each other’s. I will truly mis both of you. That you for all you have done for me . I know I wasn’t your blood son but you and mom show did treat me like I was . I know I was a handful back then but I thank God the father that you snd mom was able to see the Christ in me before you got your ticket to go home.
I love you and you will be mis❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Keep the light shining bright for us my friend! R. I. P
The Blair Family
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We will come together to remember and pay tribute to the wonderful person. While we mourn the loss of our dear, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy brought into our lives. Your presence would mean a great deal to us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
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