(Due to Covid-19 concerns, all who attend the Funeral Services are REQUIRED to wear a face mask and practice social distancing)

Our beloved Claretta Williams Orr was the youngest born to Hattie Williams on July 4, 1932.

Sister Orr was a graduate of Stephens Lee High School, Class of 1950, where she was nominated “Best Dressed” (also, “Most Moody”).

Shortly after graduating, she married a Military Serviceman who served in the US Airforce. She had two children, Sandra and Michael whom she loved dearly. The family traveled both domestically as well internationally.

After spending several years abroad, she returned to the United States in 1963 settling in Asheville, NC. She joined St. James AME Church and soon after met and married Theodore Orr, Jr., the love of her life for 59 years!

Sister Orr loved her church and church family. She served as a Stewardess, visited the sick and shut in; she was also elected to represent St. James Church as a delegate in the annual AME Conference, held in Raleigh, NC. She was also a member of the W.L. Williams 20th Century Club.

After receiving training from the Buncombe County Child Development Association, Sister Orr was employed at the Livingston Street Day Care Center where she worked until retirement in 1989.

Sister Orr loved her family, she especially enjoyed cooking meals for her beloved husband and her children when they visited. It gave her such joy during these special times.

Preceding her in death is her mother Hattie Williams, brother Tommy Williams (Korean War), and son Michael A. Patterson, Sr.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband Theodore Orr, daughter Sandra Patterson, grandson Michael Patterson, Jr. and his wife Keshia, great grands; Michael Patterson III, Kenzie Patterson, nieces; Radiah Cools-Lartigue and Denise Robinson, cousins; Kitty King, Dynese Woods, other nieces and nephews include Ann Williams, Bryanna Williams, Bryn Williams, Marlene Williams, Keith Tucker, Ken Tucker, Anthony Kirkland and a host of other nephews and nieces and her dear friend Effie Williams.

A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Claretta Williams Orr will be held on Saturday, December 4th at 12pm at Nazareth First Missionary Baptist Church located at 146 Pine Street in Asheville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral. She will be laid to rest immediately following the funeral at Sunset Cemetery. The funeral will be live streamed on Avery’s Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claretta Williams Orr, please visit our floral store.