Mozelle Elouise Bates McBryde Armstrong

On June 15, 1931, Perry Bates, Sr and Edith Price Bates welcomed their daughter, Mozelle, to their home in Beech Island, SC.  She transitioned on August 3, 2024.  She was the eldest of five siblings, two of whom (Moses aka Peter, and Angus aka AB) preceded her in death.

 She was baptized at the St Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Millette, SC at an early age.  There she served long and faithfully in many roles including church secretary, usher board, choir, and Sunday School teacher.

 She matriculated under Miss Pauline Robinson at Gum Pond School for seven years before graduating from Allendale County Training School in Allendale, SC.  She then earned her Diploma in Elementary Education from Voorhees Junior College, her Bachelor of Science at Allen University, and her Master of Education from the University of SC.  After obtaining her teaching certificate, she waited for her 18th birthday to begin her education career. She started at Jack Woods, a two-room schoolhouse in Allendale County where she served as a teacher and principal.

 Overall, she taught for 25 years in the public schools of Allendale, Aiken, and Barnwell counties in SC and Jersey City, NJ.  While teaching in Barnwell, she was called to testify in the school desegregation case and along with her sixth-grade counterparts and students, integrated Barnwell Public Schools mid-year 1969 by court order.  The schools were fully integrated the following year.

 In pursuit of new opportunities, she changed careers and became an employee at the Savannah River Plant (SRP).  There she held various positions over 17 years from groundskeeping to operator, trainer, supervisor, and “keeper of the plutonium” vault. She was the first woman promoted to supervision in the Separations Department at SRP.  In addition to her employment, she served the community in various capacities including Hospital Board Member, School Board Member, Barnwell County Grievance Committee, election official and President of Snelling Precinct for 14 years, adult education teacher, tutor, and foster parent.  An avid lifelong learner and educator, she enjoyed cooking for others and hosted open “Thanksgivings” for many years.  She was always willing to help, however, and whenever she could, due to her love of people which led to her many community activities.  After retirement, she continued to work in various jobs that kept her in contact with people.

She married James McBryde who preceded her in death. To this union, her daughter Doris Ruth was born.  In addition to her daughter in Alexandria, VA, she leaves to cherish her memory her husband, James Armstrong; two grandsons, Kendell, and Donovan Haywood both of Alexandria, VA; a sister, Ruth (Robert) Watts of Windsor CT; a brother, Perry (Sarah Mae)  Bates, Jr. of Barnwell, SC; numerous step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former students.

A celebration of life was held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Martin, SC with words of comfort by Reverend McKinley Neal.  The burial followed in the Hope Memorial Park Cemetery in Barnwell, SC. 

Contributions may be made to the Mozelle B. McBryde Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. You may make your contributions at https://gofund.me/8f325c77.

Fax Resolutions to 1-877-421-4840 or call the Funeral Home at 803-584-3110. 

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