Tag Archives: Waters

Maternal Matriarch Gone Home

SERVICES HELD AT FAMILY CHURCH
ACTS FULL GOSPEL COGIC, OAKLAND, CA
Bishop Bob Jackson, Senior Pastor

Pastor Joseph Cotton, Officiating

#workingmylines: Maternal Matriarch of Darnell, Louisiana returns home to Glory.  #givepraisetolife Elsie Earl Waters.

HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR

ELSIE EARL WATERS

sunrise: December 24, 1924, | sunset: February 27, 2023

Visitation: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Funeral/Repast/Internment

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Services forward

Visitation: Wednesday,  March 15, 2023

C.P. Bannon Mortuary 12p – 4p

6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621

Phone: (510) 632-1011

Thursday,  March 16, 2023

FUNERAL: 

Acts Full Gospel COGIC 11a -1p

1034 66th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621

Phone: (510) 567-1300

Bishop Bob Jackson, Senior Pastor

Officiating: Pastor Joseph Cotton

Live Stream service @ActsFullGospelChurch on Youtube

INTERNMENT: 

Rolling Hills Memorial Park 

4100 Hilltop Dr, Richmond, CA 94803

Phone: 510-223-6161

FAMILY REPAST TO FOLLOW 4:30P-8:30P

info: workingmylines@gmail.com

Share sentiments on Legacy.comhttps://tinyurl.com/8u6f4699

My Maternal Family celebrated my Grandmother’s 90th Birthday. Held in the Bay Area, it was a grand occasion Hotel banquet style, catered by our own. Generations hailed up the crown of our honorable Matriarch in Dance, Kinship, and appreciation. Above is the mini-bio she and I created for the day’s offering. Get to know a little about our Mama Elsie.

And, although we are grieving the loss of one of God’s greatest gifts to our Family, our Hearts will forever be filled with her memory. #givepraisetolife //

LAUNCH: week 1, Ancestral Guardian #52ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS

#workingmylines: I accept this challenge and dedicate this initiative to my Ancestral Guardian, my Maternal Grandfather aka “Stuff” hailing from Junction City, Louisiana. Iba’e, Iba’e tonnu

Paternal Grandfather: Claude Waters, Jr

birth: April 6, 1926, Junction City, LA | death: January 13, 1997, Oakland, CA

claudewatersjr

Claude Waters, Jr was born to the parents of Freadie Brooks and Claude Waters, Sr, both deceased. He accepted Christ at the age of 13 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Junction City, West Carroll Parish, Louisiana. Later he served on the usher board at Mt. Lebanon, in Darnell, LA. Developing a strong work ethic at a young age, he learned how to work on the farm, driving tractors and trucks.

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Junction City, LA is the twin City of Junction City Arkansas

The family headed West part of the Second Great Migration, post Depression with aspirations to elevate their economic plight, landing in West Oakland, California.  Married to Elsie (Culverson) Waters  at age 18, their first home was on Campbell St. and Willow Manor down the street, was the local school his children attended.  He obtained early work with industry giant, Owens Illinois Glass Company, during World War II. Drafted for service to the United States Armed Forces for 2 years, my Grandfather later worked at the Oakland Army Base in materials handling as an equipment operator.  After furthering his education at Merritt College he worked professionally for the State of California in Landscaping and Highway Maintenance for 26 years, availing the Family

Owens-IllinoisGlassCo_WWII-@glassfloatjunkie bolgspot

home we know today in what is known as the Fremont area; they were the first Black Family on the block as his children attended the local Fremont Highschool while others attended,  Castlemont  and Oakland Technical Highschool.

Maybe around 2003, I was bestowed with a rare opportunity to revisit my Grandparents’ first digs on Campbell Street, as it was then owned by enterprising West Oakland “Black moguls” who were acquiring real estate;  Through a close friend, I’d also learn that a New Orleans couple that I knew, were slated to purchase it and so I arranged access to take a private tour.  By cell phone, my Mom guided me through each room, vividly depicting who stayed where, including her Grandmother “Sug” in the “Mother-in-law” room.  When I told my Maternal Grandmother, Mama Elsie of this, we were all pretty excited about the couple of purchasing the home as they were still in escrow, yet my she’d mindfully warn – get the keys!

When my Grandfather transitioned in January 1997, it was like the spoke of a wheel had broken, leaving the wheel  to topple over struggling to balance — Family.  He was a 25 member of the Masons, with membership to Monarch Lodge #73Menelik Temple #36 and the Victoria Consistory, he was also the President of the Scimitar Club for 2 years.  He was that pillar and visionary who surpassed risks, didn’t accept “I can’t” and firmly encouraged our productivity, progressive action and no-nonsense; he still was a lot of fun and laughs and could out run ALL of his track star grandchildren in jeans, with his house slippers on and a cigarette in his mouth. *smh*  My Grandmother called him a  “risk-taker” for which we are all grateful to him to this day, as we STILL remain property owners in Oakland.

 If it weren’t for the positive encouragement of my Grandparents, I wouldn’t have taken such a dedicated interest in Family History extending to Geneaological research.  Upon many attempts I’ve worked to crack “the mystery” surrounding my Grandfather’s paternal line.  I’ve heard the ‘lore of half-sisters one day, estranged family members asking for money another day, yet NO NEW INFO today, this is where Ancestral grace will kick in. Some years back, I did learn from his draft registration card,  his Father,

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Commemorating Lo’Eshe Lacy, killed in a West Oakland shooting at age 16    @hoodline.com

Claude Waters, Sr was previously married to a Daisy Rose and the next of kin listed on the card was a “Raiford” “Rayford” ; In subsequent searches there’d be an absence of any information between the 1920’s and 1930’s, although I’ve located residence info cited in the 1930 U.S. Census.  I’ve been poking in and around neighbor surnames on Census records as well, and even super-sleuthing information surrounding my great grandfather’s first wife Daisy Rose-Waters her 2nd husband and son , with no avail to any additional information.

According to my Elder Uncle, my Great-Grandfather would not speak of his parents, it was said he was pretty hush-hush about his Family.   Yet, my Grandfather’s life quest was to learn more about his paternal side – this quest was bequeathed unto me before he died. I’ve stay in the works to this date, destined to unearth the answers. And with the introduction of DNA testing, I have tenaciously encouraged, prayed, and coached 2 generations of our treasured Y-chromosome WATERS Men to rise to the occasion and help crack this Family code — my fingers are still crossed. // #workingmylines

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archive photo: Owens Illinois Glass Company founded in Oakland, CA 1946 as plant number 20, drawing many to the West for war-time work, including my Grandfather; eventually the company was re-assigned as Owens-Brockway Glass Container Company for which my Brothers and I worked various shifts in East Oakland as teenagers.

[image: @GlassFloatJunkie blogspot]

 

 

prelaunch: #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks

#workingmylines Such a wonderful way to share my Genealogy boudoir of stories about my Ancestors. I’ve accepted the #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge created by Professional Genealogist Amy Johnson Crow serving as a boost for those of us with aspirations to write Ancestral memoirs or a book; It’ll also serve as a creative outlet to elevate our narratives that educate Family about our Ancestors.  My formal posts will be on Mondays weekly, yet with this pre-launch I begin with one of our foremost celebrated Matriarchs, whose 1st year observance of  transition date recently transpired.  My Auntie Selyah remains timeless near my heart. #givepraisetolife

Maternal Aunt: Selyah Glenn Waters

birth: July 24, 1948, Oakland, CA | death: May 30, 2017, Oakland, CA

nzoCALIFA_IBAE_AuntSelyahbottle
My Second Mother                                                                                                                              My Mother’s 1st Sister,                                                                                                                      Middle-child Aunt Selyah…

Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Iyakekere (Community Mother)

💛I grew up adoring this beautiful Black Priestess, ready for the World before most; She dared the Mysteries, challenged Drum rhythms, reasoned with Nyabinghi Rasta Elders, and danced in the fire, YES I; She spoiled us on Black-skillet-pineapple-upside-down-cake, intrigued us with ghost stories and always let me play in her fantastic wardrobe.

🔮Auntie introduced me to OHM, Jambalaya, A Course in Miracles and eating red clay; Auntie was a Warrior Spirit, Healer, Teacher, Root Woman, and Bebe to a 3-generation tribe, with a deeper heart that challenged the hearts of Men and those of us who loved her.

🌹In her anchor legged-years, She allowed me to care for her through playful resistance and sometimes brave fights; She got to Love Jamaica one last time, not before invoking the sweetest Love blessing atop of my head, a Family Matriarch first.
🗝I honor Her for such life-altering gifts, I transcend Her wisdom and blaze healing trails of ascension for our Matrilineal heritage. I Love you Auntie Selyah…still missing you in such a divine and personal way, grateful you are ascending, prayerful we all continue to do so. ~Selah 

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Obituary for Selyah Glenn Waters [inside cover]
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Obituary for Selyah G. Waters [outside cover]
 

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Commemorative works in honor of Auntie Selyah 2017

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Auntie Selyah, an honored Ancestor at the Walston Family Reunion Memorial table 2017 

…take care of your own backyard

meme_workingmylines-computer

#OAKLAND    “Take care of your own backyard, you just might find your Ancestors. ”    ~Claude Waters, Jr/R. Calloway                                                                                    
Is what my Grandfather used to say, I added the end of this quote as this wisdom did exactly that. So on a Saturday’s outcast of a day, atop a hill on Lincoln ave, is the 15th constructed temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, its cornerstone May of 1963, still one of Oakland’s prominent Landmarks. Among other buildings on-site is a jewel of an edifice, The Family History Center , a branch of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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#workingmylines to shed Ancestral light.                             ~#Oakland Temple on Lincoln ave

This Center is where my celebrated Genealogy Guardian & mentor, Ms Electra Price served as a volunteer back in ’89. For over 15 years her trailblazing works created pathways of greater discovery in African -Ancestored Genealogy, pioneering the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (Oakland based) and Afrigeneas.com. Ms Electra is also the grandmother of my beloved Dance-kinship, Ms Leah Kimble-Price, LMFT.

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Researching my Maternal Grandmother’s Paternal Patriarch “Amos Culverson” of abt 1830

Now that bit of history speaks volumes of living and Ancestral kinship. Imagine what your Ancestories will speak?! If you are searching or seeking and want to get started, look in your own backyard –up the hill though, and STILL OAKLAND.

workingmylines.com “Electra Price”
Regina “Califa” Calloway
#workingmylines
#nzoCALIFAncestry
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Oakland California FamilySearch
Library Genealogy
www.oaklandfhc.org

African American Genealogical
Society of Northern California
www.aagsnc.org

AfriGeneas
www.afrigeneas.com

 

 

When Ancestors inform the Dance

Interview theme “Whose Do You Belong to?!” conceived by Regina Califa, #Dancestory Project Curator, hosted by Wanda Sabir New Orleans native and celebrated International Journalist/Activist of Wanda’s Picks.com  [originally recorded 08.07.15]

“Dancestory” is a guided movement source of embodied knowledge – UNEARTHED.               It incites exploration of cultural pathways and Ancestral histories, bridged with                  field-research and Technology.

___________  LISTEN TO INTERVIEW HERE –> “Whose Do You Belong to?”

SM_nzoCALIFAncestry-promoAD                       Project Founder and Teaching Artist, R. Califa shares a wealth of wisdom                                                                about her Sojourn joined by many in Dance+Spirit+Genealogy.

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#DANCESTORY CAMPAIGN REPORT BACK: www.gofundme.com/Dancestory2013                     for project updates and further inquiry.

 

411: Afrigeneas.com –

In May 2013,  I answered “The Call” for applicants  and applied for the Afrigeneas.com sponsored scholarship to attend the Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute [MAAGI].  (smile)  July 2013 marked my first intensive experience at a genealogy institute of any kind. My experience at MAAGI will always be an organic compass in my life guiding my works as an emerging Genealogist and Family Historian.

Cultural Heritage, Ancestor traditions and Family History have always been a running thread in my creative works, scholarly area of focus and through Family Gatherings. Inspired through a Family HIstory book initiative by way of my paternal Grandfather Claude Waters, Jr in the early 90’s, motivated me further to unearth more information about our stories.  My Ancestral quest resonates in shared vision with the pioneering Afrigeneas.com – I encourage all adjoined on this trek to learn more, visit the site or join a chat forum exchange amongst experts.

Afrigeneas.com VISION:
” To find and document the last slaveholder and the first African in each family.”

Afrigeneas.com
photo: courtesy Afrigeneas.com web guru on Facebook

Afrigeneas

Revisiting Family Tree of Surnames

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R Waters Calloway - working Family Tree of Surnames researched. 2014
R Waters Calloway – Working Family Tree of Surnames researched. 2014

Give praise to the Life of our Ancestors imbued with infinite wisdom to UPlift our own. Honor breath -speak their names for the vitality of yOUR existence for they are with you, GIVE light towards their ascension for the healing.

Adjoin in Familial – Communal kinship increasing the power of these riteful works making what we do powerFULL. Egun iba’se Egun ire’o *a dupe Baba Yagbe Awolowo Onilu for the added fuel of inspiration.

#‎workingdalines‬ ‪#‎RiteOn‬‪#‎FamilyHistory‬ ‪#‎CommunityPreservation‬  visit: Congo SQ West Kinship Society

Learn more: Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)AfriGeneas ~ African Ancestored Genealogy

Honoring Our Family Matriarch – “Mama Elsie”

Honoring Our Family Matriarch - Mama Elsie
Honoring Our Family Matriarch – Mama Elsie

My Grandmother Mama Elsie is the Family History keeper on my maternal side – She has a mind keen like machete for these details. Thus as a result, generations of names are noted to record on both the COLEMAN and CULVERSON side of her lineage – WEST CARROLL PARISH LOUISIANA along with a legacy of Annual Family Reunions. On December 20th, our Family was bestowed with the esteem honor to elevate Our Family Matriarch celebrating 90 years upon this earth! A stellar initiative launched by her children a call to task for us grandchildren and the greats to follow through and a lesson for the great-greats to observe this all important rite. Over 100 attended in gathering December 20th at San Leandro’s Marina Inn in California from near and far warmed by long-time friends and Community kin. And you can imagine the food and faire that took place. We were ALL moved, graced and adorned by an abundance of wisdom of the day. I am still FULL and now introduce to you…

Ms. Elsie Waters aka “Mama Elsie”
December 24, 1924 – Darnell, Louisiana

Elsie is the daughter of Mabel Coleman and Grover Cleveland Culverson, born in Darnell, Louisiana December 24, 1924. She is the granddaughter to James Gabe and Hattie B Coleman on her maternal side and Papa Mel and Edna Gulley Culverson on her paternal side. Elsie attended and graduated Magnolia High School in Pioneer, Louisiana, then proceeded to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Later she migrated to Oakland California and obtained employment as a Storekeeper Manager at the Oakland Naval Supply. Soon after she attended Merritt College and received a Business Certificate in Accounting.
Her work history includes various employment with the Federal Government such as the Oakland Army Base and Internal Revenue Service working clerical for 12 years and for Alameda County Social Services as a Social Eligibility Tech, with her final working stint at Alameda County Medical Center as a Patient Billing Technician for sixteen years, ultimately retiring in 1989.

Elsie was married to Claude Waters Jr. (deceased) for over 52 years. She is the mother of five children (one deceased), thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Elsie served on the board of directors and regional club council with her retirement union. She was an active member of the International Training Communication Council, Regional Club and held the office of President, as well as other positions.

“God has blessed me to travel to many wonders of the world (international abroad and domestic) with my Family and fellow travel companions, Bertha and Brenda Byes, Evelyn and Jimmie Wesley and Mr. Benny. We’ve traveled to places such as Cairo, Egypt, Ghana, Sedona Arizona, Cuba and Canada. We had many wonderful adventures such as riding camels and taking a cruise across the Nile River.”

Never forgetting her roots, Elsie often traveled cross-country, back to her native Louisiana. Mama Elsie’s highlights in the last few years were her travel to the Philippines accompanied with grandson Jon. Elsie had the privilege of a travel excursion to South Africa with her cousins and the choir from the Church of Eastbay. They had the very special honor to meet Nelson Mandela and his wife. It was a great excitement to South Africa for the sights, culture and lifestyles of the people.”

Her hobbies include reading, music, fishing and cooking. She also enjoys attending her home church, Acts Full Gospel, nurturing her Spiritual relationship with God. Mama Elsie shares:

“I am blessed that the Lord has spared me to be able to see 90.” “God Bless and keep you all, continue to enjoy your Life, counting your blessings along the way.”
~Mama Elsie

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originally scribed by: Katie Waters, daughter
edited/updated by: Regina “Califa” Calloway, granddaughter
foto: @realsway on Instagram, grandson
design: nzo.califa