Ora M. Mathis' Obituary
Ora M. Mathis, 91 of Oakland, CA passed away November 8th, 2018. She was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on March 7th, 1927. Ora graduated from E.J. Campbell High School and from Tillison University in Texas. She was married to Nelson Mathis in 1958. Ora worked as a culinary chef. Ora was a Member and Deaconess of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. Ora had a passion for cooking, being with HER family and watching her beloved game show, especially “The Price is Right. She was survived by Sisters: Betty Goldstein and Kathryn Ayers.
Ora was preceded in death by her siblings : Goree Handy, Ola Handy, Ima Gene Simpson, and Charles Guy Handy. She is survived by by nieces: Gretta Taylor, Tom McNeal (preceded her in death), Sherry Handy Gibson, Gail Handy, Wayne Handy, Teresa Grotcop, and John Bey; Great nieces and nephews: George Taylor, Eugene Taylor, Hope Taylor, Vincent Grotcop, Akela Bey, Atia Bey, Kerya Beg, and Ricarlo Handy, Chazzman Handy, Chyna Handy, and James Gibson III. Great Great nieces and nephews: Brittany Taylor, Autumn Taylor, Gretta Taylor, Georgie Taylor, and George Taylor; Great Great Great niece and nephews, Taylor Fortner, Eli Kainoah Fortner, Kailani Fortner, and Camaron Kaimana Fortner.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 at 11:00 am at Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611 in the Julia Morgan Chapel. Repast will be held at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, 408 W MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 654-2976
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OBSEQUIES OF ORA MAE MATHIS
The dawn of a new day on March 7, 1927 in Nacogdoches, Texas, Guy Handy Sr. and Abbie Olena Handy brought twin daughters, Ola and Ora into their lives.
Unfortunately, Ola did not survive infancy, thereby leaving the family to embrace, love and nurture Ora Mae.
Ora’s education in the Texas school system included her matriculation from E.J. Campbell High School and later Texas College in Tyler, Texas.
As a child, Ora enjoyed teasing and being the childhood “snitch”, on her siblings to their mother.
Ora decided to move to Southern California in the early 50’s and lived in the San Diego area before moving to Northern California.
It was in the Bay Area that Ora feel in love with and married, Nelson Mathis. Their they both remained until Nelson’s transition.
Ora was employed as a culinary specialist and home manager for several prominent Bay Area families for over 40 years. She was respected and admired for her love of preparing meals for not only her own family members, but friends all over the city.
One might say her hobby was family, friends, and food. When not preparing many delightful dishes, she enjoyed the membership and fellowship at Evergreen Baptist Church in Oakland, California for over 40 years.
Ora was a member of the XXXXXX Adult Sunday School class, a past member of the XXXX Usher Board and a proud Deaconess as well.
As Ora’s health began to fail in recent years, she relied upon her niece, Gretta Taylor for her care, Gretta’s medical expertise and business comprehension as she was no longer able to.
On November 8, 2018 as we all began our daily journey, Ora quietly went on her final journey and went to join her husband, her parents, two of her sisters and her brother in that heavenly place.
Family left to reflect on memories of Ora are: her sisters, Betty Goldstein, Kathryne Ayres; loving niece, Gretta Taylor; step-daughter, Synovia Mathis and nieces Teresa Grotkopp, Marian Roberts, Deborah Zeno, Gail Handy and Sherrie Handy and nephews John Bey, Michael Zeno, Larry Zeno and Wayne Handy;Great niece, Hope Taylor, great nephews, George Taylor, Eugene Taylor, Vincent Grotkopp, Joel Roberts, Ryan Roberts, and cousins and friends near and far.
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