Obituaries

Mildred Parish Massey
1924-2015

Thursday February 19, 2015 - 02:43:00 PM

It is with great sorrow that the Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee announces the passing of the Congresswoman's beloved mother, Ms. Mildred Parish Massey. 

She passed at the age of 90 surrounded by her loving family in Oakland, CA. 

Throughout her life, Ms. Massey worked tirelessly for her family and broke many racial barriers. 

Ms. Massey was born in El Paso, Texas on June 6th, 1924. Her father, William Calhoun Parish, was El Paso's first African American letter carrier and her mother, Willie Pointer Parish, was a homemaker. Ms. Massey had two sisters: Lois Murell of Windsor, CA and Juanita Franklin, who predeceased her. 

Ms. Massey raised three daughters: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Mrs. Mildred Whitfield and Mrs. Beverly Hardy.  

In 1955, she was one of the original twelve students to integrate Texas Western College in 1955, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso. 

Ms. Massey loved travel, music, basketball, butterflies, her Allen Temple Baptist Church family and her loving friends at her Grand Lake Gardens home. 

Her loving family includes three daughters, seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and countless friends