Mildred Parish Massey

Mildred Parish Massey June 6, 1924 - Feb. 16, 2015 Resident of Oakland Mildred Parish Massey, 90, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully in Oakland, CA on Mon., Feb. 16, 2015. Born June 6, 1924 in El Paso, TX, she is predeceased by her father, William Calhoun Parish, her mother, Willie Edith Parish and her sister, Juanita Franklin. Mildred attended Douglass elementary and high schools in El Paso where she was the Manager of the Douglass High School basketball team. She played the saxophone in the band and marched in the Sun Bowl Parade. Mildred won a scholarship to Tillotson College in Austin, TX and transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA to study business administration. When pledging a sorority, she learned that her friend could not join due to her darker skin color. She immediately withdrew her application and asked Mary McLeod Bethune to come to the campus to help change this discriminatory policy, which succeeded. Mildred moved to Portsmouth, VA and was hired as Registrar and secretary to the President of Norfolk division of Virginia State College, now Norfolk State University. Upon Mildred's return to El Paso, she broke many racial barriers as the first African American to be hired in key positions. She worked at the USO and was the first black clerical worker at Ft. Bliss, TX in the Postal Locator. While working, she attended Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) and was one of 12 students to integrate Texas Western. Mildred was an active member of the Eastern Star Lodge, Phyllis Wheatley Club, the NAACP and Myrtle Ave. Methodist Church. In 1960, Mildred moved to San Fernando, CA where once again she broke many racial barriers in the workplace as the first African American to work at the Raymond Lamp Company, Assistant Manager of Lerner Dress store in Panorama City, CA, Manager of the Rembrandt Sign Co. in San Fernando, CA and as an Administrative Assistant at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sylmar, CA. Mildred worked three jobs simultaneously to take care of her aging father and 3 daughters. In 1975, Mildred moved to Oakland, CA and worked for the Social Security Administration until her retirement in 1986. She helped found and manage her daughter's business, The W.C. Parish Co., dba Lee Associates until her second retirement in 1998 when she moved to Sun City, Arizona. In 2010, she returned to Oakland where she resided at Grand Lake Gardens until her death. Mildred enjoyed traveling abroad and within the United States, watching The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud everyday. She was an avid fan of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. She was a frequent attendee at the Oakland Symphony with her friend Mr. Ed Bussey, and she loved music and playing bridge. She spent time on her iPhone and iPad sending texts, emails and photos staying connected to her family and friends. Mildred was known for her beautiful green eyes, her radiant smile, quick wit and great sense of humor. She was intrigued by the beauty of butterflies and more than anything, loved being with her family and friends. Mildred is survived by her 3 daughters, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Mrs. Mildred Whitfield (Calvin), and Mrs. Beverly Hardy (Martin), her sister, Mrs. Lois Murell, 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grand children and 1 great-great grandchild. A special thanks to her team of caring doctors, health care workers, and staff at Summit Hospital, her loving friends and staff at her home at Grand Lake Gardens, the Allen Temple Baptist Church family and a host of friends who loved and assisted her in many ways. A celebration of life will be held at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd, Oakland, CA on Thurs., Feb. 26, 2015. Viewing from 10 to 11AM and services at 11 AM. Interment follows at Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, CA. Flowers and/or donations to American Lung Association in California, COPD Research, 333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 450, Oakland, CA 94621. Live streaming of service is available. For more information visit http://www.harrisfuneralhomeberkeley.com/obituaries/Mildred-Massey/. Harris Funeral Home (510) 525-1331