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 Rd 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 ..._... _..... ..... ..... .., , , b&la....... .. dl.t.,......... with ............. ,_Wc.lllddr8.~ Mn..Bn,.. ._,bid"'*" boroa&IJ trek10""'*' -- ...,.,___ Ccr,ll.oe..1o..,9o_M .l.l_*".o*.ln*n.a-l-.-c........-,. ------ t..c.f.t.4....S..M..."..".'.".,b_rrol.t ,.. -,.,._c..... ,.,. AnAdlataMfi'flt_.lll- ---... -- -~ -~ ..A.... ..._, I NIIIIizH tDhfetUlt ..l..w..~aSsbce--.-.atel 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