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BELZORA LEE WHITE

On May 9, 2004 the United States of America will have cause to pause and give homage to women (everywhere), on a special day that first became a national calendar event when President Woodrow Wilson degreed, in 1914, that henceforth Mother’s Day would be observed on the second Sunday in May. For sure, Mother’s roles-- in the land of the free—have greatly changed since that special day was established. Some changes have been very good for female citizens, while many others have been questionable at best, insofar as no truer words have ever been spoken than those written by the 19th Century America’s poet/author, William Ross Wallace, “For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world.”
That is, unless, one prefers the less subtle affirmation, “Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of children,” which was a memorable profundity from Vanity Fair, the classic essay that was written by 19th Century English writer W. M. Thackeray in 1849. Mother’s quietly and, even proudly accepted their roles as homemakers and child bearers until 1848, at which time the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. After two days of discussion and debate, 68 women and 32 men signed a Declaration of Sentiments, which outlined grievances and set the agenda for the women’s rights movement. A set of 12 resolutions (calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women) was adopted.
The movement grew rapidly and in May of 1850, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Staton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association. The primary goal of the organization was to achieve voting rights for women by means of a Congressional amendment to the Constitution. However, it would be 56-years later before the nation’s women—campaigning on a state-by-state level-- finally voted for the first time in 1896 Colorado. Ironically that was the same year that the National Association of Colored Women was formed, bringing together more than 100 Black women’s clubs. Leaders in the Black women’s club movement included Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Mary Church Terrell and Anna Julia Cooper.

Even more ironic is the historical fact that in 1919, the federal woman suffrage amendment (that Anthony wrote and introduced to Congress, in 1878, was finally passed (by the House of Representatives and ratified by the Senate), a baby girl was being born in Huntsville, Texas whose only goal in life was to be a mother. And, during her long and fruitful life, Mother, “Morna-Dear”, “Dear”, “Ma-Ma Dear,” were terms of endearment that Belzora Lee Massie, aka “Sofia,” proudly answered to, thus, her legacy of love-- that she passed down through four generations-- was greatly felt when her life was celebrated on Nov. 8. 2003 at Ross Mortuary Chapel, 3618 Lyons Ave., with Bishop Eddie Cumbo, Jr. officiating.

Brenda Benson, Tracy Grundy, TreeAndrea Grundy, Elisa Y. Coleman, Brenda Hollins and Reena Bennett praised Ma-Ma Dear with songs and words. Christopher Swan, Darrell Massie, Eddie Cumbo, III, Robert Massie, Ronald Thomas-Clay and Ronald “Rusty” Thomas were active pallbearers. Lamar Massie Sr, Kenneth McQueen, Dawnella Swan, Monique Cumbo, Toni Coleman-Sams and Tony Sams were honorary pallbearers for “Sofia,” who was the fourth and baby girl of five children that was born to Robert and Edith Massie on August 3,1919 in Huntsville, Texas. She accepted Christ as her Savior and acknowledged Him as being the Son of God at an early age. She received " her education from the Huntsville Public Schools System.
In 1942 Belzora united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Elliott White, who preceded her in death along with her parents; her brother, Herman and two sisters, Loma and Georga. Being loved and provided for by her husband, her daughter and her grandchildren, Belzora has always been a homemaker and they wouldn't have heard of it being any other way, because she was precious in their sight. The highlights of her life were being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She had a way of touching the lives of everyone she met and brought a glow to her family and friends. We will truly miss the special God-Sent Lady, affectionately known as Sofia, and Bel.

On Saturday, November 1, 2003 at 7:45 p.m. in West Houston Medical Center with her daughter and love ones by her side, our Heavenly Father who knows how much His children can bear, dispatched his angel of mercy to bring his suffering child home; to be free from cares and worries and absence from the tired body. Now she's at peace and home from which she came with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Belzora Lee White leaves to cherish her precious memories: One brother: Lamar Massie Sr. One daughter: Ethel Lee McQueen Three grandchildren: Kenneth McQueen, Tony Sams, and Monique Cumbo (husband Eddie III), Toni Y. Coleman-Sams (U.S.N.), Ronald Thomas-Clay, Reka Cumbo, and Rachel Cumbo.
She also leaves four great-grandchildren: Ten nieces: Carolyn, Charlotte, Evelyn, Evelean (Evelyn), Georgia, Geraldine, Gloria, Helen, Lorrine and Rita. Two special nieces, Reena Bennett and Brenda Benson. Seven nephews: Darrell, Donnie, Frank Jr., James, Lamar Jr., Lester and Robert ...and other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Very special and eternally loved extended family members: Dawnella Swan (mother of Christopher Swan), Elisa Yvette (mother of Toni Yvette and Domique Yvette), Stephanie Manuel (mother of Dennis Alcorn), and The Coleman Family. Her precious memories will inspire her love ones to have a Happy Mother’s Day.