Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
BARNWELL - On June 15, 1931, Perry Bates Sr. and Edith Price Bates welcomed their daughter, Mozelle, to their home in Beech Island, S.C. She transitioned on August 3, 2024. She was the eldest of five siblings, two of whom (Moses, a.k.a “Peter,” and Angus, a.k.a. “AB”) preceded her in death.
She was baptized at the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Millette, S.C. 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 going on to graduate from Allendale County Training School in Allendale, S.C. She then earned her Diploma in Elementary Education from Voorhees Junior College, 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, starting 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 S.C. and Jersey City, N.J. 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 midyear 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 a variety of 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; sister, Ruth (Robert) Watts of Windsor, CT; brother, Perry (Sarah Mae) Bates Jr. of Barnwell, S.C.; numerous step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former students.
Services were held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Martin with Minister Tonda Geter presiding and Rev. Mckinley Neal serving as eulogist.
Her final resting place is Hope Memorial Park (1730 Yale Road, Barnwell, S.C.).
B.F. Cave Funeral Home of Allendale was in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at bfcavefh.com.
