A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Ella Mae Wade Brayboy, Sunrise October 22, 1918, Sunset November 10, 2010, Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 11:00 A.M., Central United Methodist Church, 501-7 Mitchell St. NW, Atlanta, Georgia, The Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor, Officiating

A Celebration ofLife
for

Sunrise October 22, 1918

Sunset November 10, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010
~11:00 A.M~
Central United Methodist Church 501-7 Mitchell St. NW Atlanta, Georgia
The Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor Officiating

(()~
When ~& ~ {j)f{;,dewas born October 22, 1918, no one knew the impact she would have
on community activism and voter registration/education in the state of Georgia. Ella Mae was born to Mr. Charlie and Mrs. Rosa Jackson Wade. She was the second oldest of eleven children. She was educated in the Atlanta Public Schools, graduating from the historic Booker T. Washington High School in 1935. She later attended Spelman College. In 1936, she married the late William Anderson Brayboy and gave birth to three darling daughters, Joyce, Wilma and Eleanor.
Mrs. Brayboy's passionate work ethic began as a waitress and evolved into one of the most committed community activists in Atlanta. Her activism was launched in the Pittsburgh Neighborhood where she organized and rallied the residents to secure indoor plumbing, electrictty and natural gas. She would later further her civic duties as an employee of the Community Counctl of the Atlanta Area and the Atlanta Fulton County Library. She also served as a consultant to the Army Corp of Engineers during the development of MARTA, The University of Georgia School of Social Work and the Atlanta University Center of Library Science. Mrs. Brayboy was later recruited as a congressional aide and community liaison to then Congressman Andrew Young. In the midst of her professional work, Mrs. Brayboy's commitment to empowering others guided her to become one of Georgia's ftrst black deputy voter registrars, at a time when racism and discrimination were rampant m the voting system. In this capacity she spearheaded the drive to register more than 10,000 people to vote. Former Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed Mrs. Brayboy as one of the ftrst members of the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission. Mrs. Brayboy concluded her formal employment as the director of community affairs at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and retired in 1995 after 15 years of service. l-Ier journey for the elderly in her l-Iunter l-Iills community, however, was just beginning. In 1993, as chair of the Resource Development for the Fulton County Council on Aging, Mrs. Brayboy, fought and won the battle to allow thousands of senior citizens to ride taxis for half fare. In her beloved community, she spoke out feverishly in support of residents' rights and against liquor stores and crime. Mrs. Brayboy's other notable achievements included placing her alma mater, Booker T. Washington, Atlanta's first public high school for African-Americans, on the National l-Iistoric Register, as well as Central United Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member. While at Central, she volunteered in various capacities. She has served on numerous boards throughout the city including the Fulton County Board of Elections, The Fulton County Department of Family and Children's Services and The Wesley Woods Homes, Inc. and Emory University.
As a testimony to her outstanding endeavors, much of her work can be viewed in her collection at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Her exceptional dedication and volunteerism led her to be an honorable woman from whom much can be learned.
She leaves to cherish her legacy three daughters, Mrs. Joyce B. Jones, Mrs. Wilma B. Bailey, Mrs. Eleanor B. Proctor; two sisters, Mrs. Juanita Williams & Mrs. Gloria (Charles) Wingfteld of Los Angeles; one brother, Mr. Lyndon A. (Shirley) Wade; seven grandchildren, Mr. Reginald Jones, Mr. Gregory Qoanne) Jones, Mrs. Donna Metts, Mrs. Aungelique (Max) Anderson, Mrs. Alexis (Byron), Kellam, Mr. William (Vickie) Jones, Mr. Steven Bailey; thirteen great grandchildren, Ms. Julia Jones, Taylor & Brook Jones, Chase, Jordan and Bryce Metts, Nia, Asha and Maesa Anderson, Byron II & Kai Kellam, Kalen & Kamryn Jones; seven nieces, Mrs. Charlene Lewis of Chicago, Mrs. Sencira
Williams, Mrs. Rhonda Wade Qerry) Lopes of Pittsburgh, Ms. Stephanie Wingfteld of Boston, Ms.
Lisa Wade, Ms. Nora Wade of Los Angeles, Mrs. Jennifer Wade Qohn) Berg; five nephews, Mr. Calvin Qackie) Marshall, Mr. Clifton (Cassandra) Marshall, Mr. Clarence Revere, Mr. Barry (Linda) Wade, Mr. Stewart Wade; Great nieces, Rhonda Lewis of Chicago, Skylar Berg, Erica (Lee) Story, Gina (Fred) Tucker, Kimberly Marshal of New York, Katrina (Lyord) Watson ofBirmingham; Great nephews Lester & Chris Lewis of Chicago, Barry II & Kolby Wade, Great, .s!eat niece Nina Story; Great, great nephews Christian & Chase Story; one sister-in-law, Ellen Wade (.tiill) McQueen, Central United Methodist Church members, and friends.

Prelude

Processional

Congregational I-Iymn

{'S1veet SJJ;eet Spirit"

Scriptures
The 0 ld T estament-------------------------------------------------------------------------Reverend Toseph Crawford The New Testament-----------------------------------------------------------------------Reverend :Bernard Campbell

Prayer-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Reverend Fredrick Gray

Solo------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. William "Billy'' Jones

"In This Very Room"

(Grandson)

Reflections

Ms. Milan Henderson

Neighbor and Friend

Mrs. Christine King Ferris Treasurer, Emeritus King Ceni:er

Mr. Mack Dennis Former Fulton County Deputy Director of Voter Registration

Mr. Clint Deveaux Judge, Fulton County Municipal Court

Solo--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ms. Karen Lowery {7JI Can Help Somebotfy"
Reflections
Mr. Kerry Ramsey
Friend and Former Colleague

Ms. Diane Williamson Fulton County Council on Aging

Mr. Michael Julian Bond Atlanta City Councilman

Reverend Andrew Young Former Mayor of Atlanta

Reverend Joseph Lowery Former Pastor, Central UMC

Selection------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Cathedral Choir

Eulogy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Reverend Byron E . Thomas

Acknowledgements-----------------------------------------------------------------Mrs. Aungelique Proctor Anderson (Granddaughter)
Recessional

Repast immediately following Interment at Dotson/ Ogletree Fellowship I-Iall

c
Info Centers' New Director

y, Dr: John Doe Isn't Re:2h1leJI'ed
Members ol !he All-<:ldzftl R<J!stntloG Committee SU!f review Full'"' C-'J V'*r lise. Tbey were 1mued not to Und tbe names o( many well Down clt.lzeas and le.cla's. SbowD kft 10 ri&bC Miss 8dly lbomi*JO, Mrs. (;arolyo D. Yancey, Mrs. JIIOlllla YorreU, Erlc-Kinber!;:. Rev, Fred Beooeue, Mbs Janice Jolin- aod sealt>d Mrs. 'Ella Mae Brayboy.
1bB

ELLA MAE BRAYBOY
Ella Mae Brayboy ha re cently been named director of the Atlanta Public Library's e~hborhood Information Centers. Formerl a a ociated with the Communit Council of the Atlanta area Mrs. Brayboy wa for eight year th Council's eighborho d
naly t and Consultant. \ hile there he pia ed a
major role in the development of the neighborhood file and outgrowth of the
ommunity Improvemem Program report which wa the ba is for the ity' Urban Renewal and Model Cities Plans.
At the Atlanta Public Library, the neighborhOod in formation file will be the basis of the Human Resour ces Center. currently being formed at the Library. ' ' Much of the research for the Center willb b~ devel ped b Atlanta 'niverity student from the chool of Librar ervice.
The Neighborho d Information Center will be set up at Kirkwood through the Kirkwood Branch and the Model Cities area through the South Branch Library. R idents of the e areas will play a major role in the developmentofprogram ~ r the Neighborhood Cen t r by serving a Community Consultant . The ultant . The Center are chduled to begin operation ometime in early January.

"I mr~t~~rbtr [as a child/ rvlrt1r blatk )XOrk could orrly vok irr tl~
prrsidartial dtc1um, u(ll/rirrg tiM. So )'011 lurd allt/rrg blatk ptoplr livirrg irr F11lto11 Couuty aud ali t/~ tltrttd I!!Jirials Wtn' whitt. It didn't ta~ a getririS orsclrolar to ITIJ!izt somttlri11g~- rtwrrg. I# simply did11'1 cotmt."
lllAIIIIIA!ItT

:\lr&. Brayboy: 'All we've got i that ballot bo"

2 decades later, Atlanta grandma still signing voters

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INQUIRER SAlUTES

By Hal 1rau $1 ..,.. ,.,

Ella Mae Brayboy stood In tbe rain to watch the

~ru~uguration of Georgia Gov. Eugene Talmadge in

1933 while 'tfhites sat beouth a canopy. She waited

tables for yean in a restaurant that would not have

served ber, rode In the backs of buses. opped In

segregated stores.

So when Atlanta's black leaden first began to

regJSter black voten in thetr neighborhoods In 19&4,

the Atlanta grandmother signed on as a deputy regis-

trar.

...sheJial beeJI at It ev

h good yea

and bad, liberal times and conservative, 10 shoppin

centers. churches. bOIISing projects and courtho

W1th Jesse Jackson and w1thout h1m

"I'm not a big, outstanding character or any-

thtng,'' says Mrs. Brayboy. wbo expects this will be

banner year for reel !ration, thanks to the u

of black mayoral candidates and Jackson's Orrtatio

with a prestdential bid

" Ju>t say I'm somebody who has wor ed a I

ttme 10 \'Oter registration, because I believe m th

power of the vote...

Belteve she d

"Slavery," says Brayboy That's where we

be 1f it weren't for votu rtgistralion. Black folks go

no money. All we've got that ballot box. And r

works "

Sitting lund a desk piled with paperwork fo

the next voter drive. she shakes her head

The younger peopl can't see bo'lf important th

\'Ole is. Cert.a1n thtncs they don't know nothing abou

not bemc able to go mto th . downtown tor no

bein able to eat at the lunch counter

MRS. ELLA MAE BRAYBOY

Mrs. Ella Mae Brayboy, secrerary of the All-citizens Registra-

tion Committee was one of the key leaders of the recent successful

voter reglstration drive. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington

High School and anen~Spelroan College.

boWlded by Ashby Street, North

Avenue, Westlake and Mozley-

Runter Street.

During the comprehensive

neighbornood registration pro-

gram at the various high

schools, Mrs. Brayboy-servecl

as administrative assistant to

jesse HUl, Jr., general chair-

man of the ll-cltizens Regis-

tration Committee.

She serves as an organizer

of cftlzens"!p schools for elder-

ly clti:lell" ize:ts who need

assistan.;;. ualifying to re-

gister t v

She also con-

Mrs. Ella Brayboy

ordinates th~ s udent registration volunteets from the Atlanta

In addition to serving as se- University School of Social

cretary of the Committee, she serves as Registration Chairman for the Westside Section

Work. She ls the wife of William
Brayboy of the U.S. Postal Sex-

Is the mother of three , Mrs. Melvin jones, employee of Citizens Trust Company, Mrs. H.C. Bailey, a beautician, and Mrs. Emmen Proctor, a teac er at carver ocat onal High School. Mrs. Brayboy Is active member of the Central cthodist Chw:ch. She Is a member of the Comm slon on Christian Social Concern, Chairman of Circle One, supplies as a Sunday S teacher, and secretary ofLocal Church Activities for W.S.

A limb has fallen from the famify tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, ((Grieve notfor me." Remember the best times, The laughter, the song,
The good life I lived while I was still strong. 'Continue my heritage, I'm counting onyou.
Keep smiling and surefy the sun Will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering a/~ how I trufy was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how smalL
Go on withyour life, Don'tjust stare at the walL I missyou all dearfy, so keep upyour chin, Until the day comes when we're together again.

~ttk
Ernestine Brown N eeka Jeter Hayes Mattie Ransom Sencira Williams

f
~ztj
Valerie Jeter Carvana Felicia Jeter Randolph Flora Solomon Candice Lester

~~mweJt ~ztA
Central 'United Methodist Women

Max G. Anderson Gregory L. Jones William "Billy'' Jones Barry Wade

Steven G . Bailey Reginald G. Jones Byron R. Kellam Stuart Wade

fntePHWnt
Carver Memorial Cemetery 350 Upper Riverdale Road
Jonesboro, GA 30236
~
The fami!J ofMrs. Ella Mae Wade Brt!)lbqy is mostgratefulfor the outpouring ofcomforting expressions ofkindness displC!Jed during our time ofbereavement. We tru!J appretiate all ofthe prC!Jers) cal!J~ food, Jlmvers) visits) cards) and other acts ofthoughtfulness. Mt!)l God blessy ou all
The Fami!J
~/eA6itmal 9kmiee6 Y5wntaedP/;
Q~-~F~HMM
227 East Lake Drive, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30317
(404) 373-3191 ((Our Fami!J Seroing Your Famifyn