MOZELLE MENEFEE MURRAY
June 8, 1920-July 3, 2015
Mozelle Menefee Murray was born Mozelle Menefee in Tuskegee, Alabama on June 8. 1920. She died at home on July 3, 2015 shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday. As the only child of Gertrude Menefee, Mozelle grew up in the town of Tuskegee and graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1943 majoring in home economics. After graduating, she taught briefly near Tuskegee in a public school. It was at Tuskegee where Mozelle met her college sweetheart and future husband, Albert Murray. They were married on May 31, 1941 and enjoyed 72 incredible years together as husband and wife until Albert's death in 2013. Albert always referred to Mozelle as his "beautiful wife" and " fairytale princess." They were blessed with one child, Michele, who was born on October 3, 1943. Mozelle, known affectionately as Moque (pronounced moe-key), was a dedicated spouse and mother. She, Albert and Michele, who was affectionately known as Mique (pronounced my-key), traveled the world as a military family during Albert's service in the Air Force. In 1962, shortly after he retired from the military, Albert and Mozelle settled in Harlem in New York City. Albert was able to devote his full-time to writing, teaching and lecturing, and Mozelle resumed her teaching career, this time as an elementary school teacher in the New York City public school system. As an educator, Mozelle earned a well-deserved reputation as a devoted and dedicated teacher who loved her students and was in turn loved by them and their parents. She retired from teaching in 1987 after 20 years of service. Mozelle was also a devoted Tuskegee graduate whose commitment to the school continued throughout her life. As an active member of the New York Chapter Tuskegee Alumni Club, Mozelle served as its secretary for many years. In that capacity, she distinguished herself through the preparation of complete, concise and entertaining minutes.
Mozelle was the quintessential homemaker. Whether home was in Morocco, Compton, California or New York City, she was able to create that sense of home as a place where her family felt safe, secure and loved. By creating that base, it enabled Albert and Michele to confidently pursue their dreams. Mozelle was aworld-class cook and conscientious hostess who loved to entertain. Blessed with a warm and infectious smile, Mozelle possessed the innate ability to put even the most casual acquaintances at ease and make them feel welcome in her home. She was a gifted baker. Mozelle's rum, coconut, lemon and pound cakes as well as her peanut butter cookies achieved legendary status from a devoted following of fans who looked forward to consuming everything that came out of her oven. She and Albert were a formidable duo in their kitchen collaborations. Whether it was a down home staple like biscuits and gravy or Southern haute cuisine like gumbo a la Lillian Hellman, together they presented an extension, elaboration and refinement of the best of what life has to offer. Mozelle was at the center of that refinement. Her manners and propriety were from another world and another time. She exemplified Southern hospitality.
As a young woman, Mozelle was a stunning beauty who made everything she wore from mundane to formal seem elegant. It was a quality that she maintained throughout her life. However, even more striking than her physical, outward appearance was Mozelle's inner spirit. She radiated warmth and generosity. Mozelle was the very definition of having soul. She supported Albert's writing career in innumerable ways and was always his primary inspiration. All of his books are dedicated to her, Michele or both. In his dedication to South to a Very Old Place, her admiring husband writes: "For my wife MOZELLE who, honeysuckle-fairytale downhome girl that she is, was, as the old folks used to say, born knowing." Mozelle indeed was born knowing what is important in life and found her joy in sharing it with others.
Mozelle is survived by her daughter, Michele, and by the many friends and members of the Murrays' extended family who knew her. She will be buried at the family burial site at the Tuskegee University cemetery.
The above obituary provided by the Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, New York, New York.
June 8, 1920-July 3, 2015
Mozelle Menefee Murray was born Mozelle Menefee in Tuskegee, Alabama on June 8. 1920. She died at home on July 3, 2015 shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday. As the only child of Gertrude Menefee, Mozelle grew up in the town of Tuskegee and graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1943 majoring in home economics. After graduating, she taught briefly near Tuskegee in a public school. It was at Tuskegee where Mozelle met her college sweetheart and future husband, Albert Murray. They were married on May 31, 1941 and enjoyed 72 incredible years together as husband and wife until Albert's death in 2013. Albert always referred to Mozelle as his "beautiful wife" and " fairytale princess." They were blessed with one child, Michele, who was born on October 3, 1943. Mozelle, known affectionately as Moque (pronounced moe-key), was a dedicated spouse and mother. She, Albert and Michele, who was affectionately known as Mique (pronounced my-key), traveled the world as a military family during Albert's service in the Air Force. In 1962, shortly after he retired from the military, Albert and Mozelle settled in Harlem in New York City. Albert was able to devote his full-time to writing, teaching and lecturing, and Mozelle resumed her teaching career, this time as an elementary school teacher in the New York City public school system. As an educator, Mozelle earned a well-deserved reputation as a devoted and dedicated teacher who loved her students and was in turn loved by them and their parents. She retired from teaching in 1987 after 20 years of service. Mozelle was also a devoted Tuskegee graduate whose commitment to the school continued throughout her life. As an active member of the New York Chapter Tuskegee Alumni Club, Mozelle served as its secretary for many years. In that capacity, she distinguished herself through the preparation of complete, concise and entertaining minutes.
Mozelle was the quintessential homemaker. Whether home was in Morocco, Compton, California or New York City, she was able to create that sense of home as a place where her family felt safe, secure and loved. By creating that base, it enabled Albert and Michele to confidently pursue their dreams. Mozelle was aworld-class cook and conscientious hostess who loved to entertain. Blessed with a warm and infectious smile, Mozelle possessed the innate ability to put even the most casual acquaintances at ease and make them feel welcome in her home. She was a gifted baker. Mozelle's rum, coconut, lemon and pound cakes as well as her peanut butter cookies achieved legendary status from a devoted following of fans who looked forward to consuming everything that came out of her oven. She and Albert were a formidable duo in their kitchen collaborations. Whether it was a down home staple like biscuits and gravy or Southern haute cuisine like gumbo a la Lillian Hellman, together they presented an extension, elaboration and refinement of the best of what life has to offer. Mozelle was at the center of that refinement. Her manners and propriety were from another world and another time. She exemplified Southern hospitality.
As a young woman, Mozelle was a stunning beauty who made everything she wore from mundane to formal seem elegant. It was a quality that she maintained throughout her life. However, even more striking than her physical, outward appearance was Mozelle's inner spirit. She radiated warmth and generosity. Mozelle was the very definition of having soul. She supported Albert's writing career in innumerable ways and was always his primary inspiration. All of his books are dedicated to her, Michele or both. In his dedication to South to a Very Old Place, her admiring husband writes: "For my wife MOZELLE who, honeysuckle-fairytale downhome girl that she is, was, as the old folks used to say, born knowing." Mozelle indeed was born knowing what is important in life and found her joy in sharing it with others.
Mozelle is survived by her daughter, Michele, and by the many friends and members of the Murrays' extended family who knew her. She will be buried at the family burial site at the Tuskegee University cemetery.
The above obituary provided by the Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, New York, New York.
MOZELLE MENEFEE MURRAY
June 8, 1920-July 3, 2015
Mozelle Menefee Murray was born Mozelle Menefee in Tuskegee, Alabama on June 8. 1920. She died at home on July 3, 2015 shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday. As the only child of Gertrude Menefee, Mozelle grew up in the town of Tuskegee and graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1943 majoring in home economics. After graduating, she taught briefly near Tuskegee in a public school. It was at Tuskegee where Mozelle met her college sweetheart and future husband, Albert Murray. They were married on May 31, 1941 and enjoyed 72 incredible years together as husband and wife until Albert's death in 2013. Albert always referred to Mozelle as his "beautiful wife" and " fairytale princess." They were blessed with one child, Michele, who was born on October 3, 1943. Mozelle, known affectionately as Moque (pronounced moe-key), was a dedicated spouse and mother. She, Albert and Michele, who was affectionately known as Mique (pronounced my-key), traveled the world as a military family during Albert's service in the Air Force. In 1962, shortly after he retired from the military, Albert and Mozelle settled in Harlem in New York City. Albert was able to devote his full-time to writing, teaching and lecturing, and Mozelle resumed her teaching career, this time as an elementary school teacher in the New York City public school system. As an educator, Mozelle earned a well-deserved reputation as a devoted and dedicated teacher who loved her students and was in turn loved by them and their parents. She retired from teaching in 1987 after 20 years of service. Mozelle was also a devoted Tuskegee graduate whose commitment to the school continued throughout her life. As an active member of the New York Chapter Tuskegee Alumni Club, Mozelle served as its secretary for many years. In that capacity, she distinguished herself through the preparation of complete, concise and entertaining minutes.
Mozelle was the quintessential homemaker. Whether home was in Morocco, Compton, California or New York City, she was able to create that sense of home as a place where her family felt safe, secure and loved. By creating that base, it enabled Albert and Michele to confidently pursue their dreams. Mozelle was aworld-class cook and conscientious hostess who loved to entertain. Blessed with a warm and infectious smile, Mozelle possessed the innate ability to put even the most casual acquaintances at ease and make them feel welcome in her home. She was a gifted baker. Mozelle's rum, coconut, lemon and pound cakes as well as her peanut butter cookies achieved legendary status from a devoted following of fans who looked forward to consuming everything that came out of her oven. She and Albert were a formidable duo in their kitchen collaborations. Whether it was a down home staple like biscuits and gravy or Southern haute cuisine like gumbo a la Lillian Hellman, together they presented an extension, elaboration and refinement of the best of what life has to offer. Mozelle was at the center of that refinement. Her manners and propriety were from another world and another time. She exemplified Southern hospitality.
As a young woman, Mozelle was a stunning beauty who made everything she wore from mundane to formal seem elegant. It was a quality that she maintained throughout her life. However, even more striking than her physical, outward appearance was Mozelle's inner spirit. She radiated warmth and generosity. Mozelle was the very definition of having soul. She supported Albert's writing career in innumerable ways and was always his primary inspiration. All of his books are dedicated to her, Michele or both. In his dedication to South to a Very Old Place, her admiring husband writes: "For my wife MOZELLE who, honeysuckle-fairytale downhome girl that she is, was, as the old folks used to say, born knowing." Mozelle indeed was born knowing what is important in life and found her joy in sharing it with others.
Mozelle is survived by her daughter, Michele, and by the many friends and members of the Murrays' extended family who knew her. She will be buried at the family burial site at the Tuskegee University cemetery.
The above obituary provided by the Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, New York, New York.
June 8, 1920-July 3, 2015
Mozelle Menefee Murray was born Mozelle Menefee in Tuskegee, Alabama on June 8. 1920. She died at home on July 3, 2015 shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday. As the only child of Gertrude Menefee, Mozelle grew up in the town of Tuskegee and graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1943 majoring in home economics. After graduating, she taught briefly near Tuskegee in a public school. It was at Tuskegee where Mozelle met her college sweetheart and future husband, Albert Murray. They were married on May 31, 1941 and enjoyed 72 incredible years together as husband and wife until Albert's death in 2013. Albert always referred to Mozelle as his "beautiful wife" and " fairytale princess." They were blessed with one child, Michele, who was born on October 3, 1943. Mozelle, known affectionately as Moque (pronounced moe-key), was a dedicated spouse and mother. She, Albert and Michele, who was affectionately known as Mique (pronounced my-key), traveled the world as a military family during Albert's service in the Air Force. In 1962, shortly after he retired from the military, Albert and Mozelle settled in Harlem in New York City. Albert was able to devote his full-time to writing, teaching and lecturing, and Mozelle resumed her teaching career, this time as an elementary school teacher in the New York City public school system. As an educator, Mozelle earned a well-deserved reputation as a devoted and dedicated teacher who loved her students and was in turn loved by them and their parents. She retired from teaching in 1987 after 20 years of service. Mozelle was also a devoted Tuskegee graduate whose commitment to the school continued throughout her life. As an active member of the New York Chapter Tuskegee Alumni Club, Mozelle served as its secretary for many years. In that capacity, she distinguished herself through the preparation of complete, concise and entertaining minutes.
Mozelle was the quintessential homemaker. Whether home was in Morocco, Compton, California or New York City, she was able to create that sense of home as a place where her family felt safe, secure and loved. By creating that base, it enabled Albert and Michele to confidently pursue their dreams. Mozelle was aworld-class cook and conscientious hostess who loved to entertain. Blessed with a warm and infectious smile, Mozelle possessed the innate ability to put even the most casual acquaintances at ease and make them feel welcome in her home. She was a gifted baker. Mozelle's rum, coconut, lemon and pound cakes as well as her peanut butter cookies achieved legendary status from a devoted following of fans who looked forward to consuming everything that came out of her oven. She and Albert were a formidable duo in their kitchen collaborations. Whether it was a down home staple like biscuits and gravy or Southern haute cuisine like gumbo a la Lillian Hellman, together they presented an extension, elaboration and refinement of the best of what life has to offer. Mozelle was at the center of that refinement. Her manners and propriety were from another world and another time. She exemplified Southern hospitality.
As a young woman, Mozelle was a stunning beauty who made everything she wore from mundane to formal seem elegant. It was a quality that she maintained throughout her life. However, even more striking than her physical, outward appearance was Mozelle's inner spirit. She radiated warmth and generosity. Mozelle was the very definition of having soul. She supported Albert's writing career in innumerable ways and was always his primary inspiration. All of his books are dedicated to her, Michele or both. In his dedication to South to a Very Old Place, her admiring husband writes: "For my wife MOZELLE who, honeysuckle-fairytale downhome girl that she is, was, as the old folks used to say, born knowing." Mozelle indeed was born knowing what is important in life and found her joy in sharing it with others.
Mozelle is survived by her daughter, Michele, and by the many friends and members of the Murrays' extended family who knew her. She will be buried at the family burial site at the Tuskegee University cemetery.
The above obituary provided by the Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, New York, New York.
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