[Dialogue] Mrs. Mosely's funeral

[Terry Bergdall]

Several representatives of EI/OE/ICA and Fifth City attended the funeral this morning. It was a great celebration. Below is Lela's obituary. Some photos were taken after the service and can be viewed via the following link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/bergdall/. They were taken on a phone camera and are not very clear but they capture a mood that everyone there, I believe, would like to share. Terry

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Celebrating the Life of Lela B. Mosley
 
Lela B. Mosley was born January 8, 1929 to Hollie and Annie (Lewis) Brady in Jackson, MS.  Her parents preceded her in death.

Lela was the second of three children. She was raised in a Christian home and attended Rocky Hill M.B. Church in Jackson, MS.  Lela remained in Jackson, until age fifteen when she moved to Chicago, lL, to live with her Aunt Lela Hayes who preceded her in death.

Lela (Brady) and Dennis C. Mosley were united in marriage on November 30, 1949. From this union five children were born: one daughter, Karen M. Barnes, and four sons, Dennis C. Mosley III, Carl A. Mosley, Manuel A Mosley and Stephen W. Mosley.

Lela graduated from John Marshall H. S. and MMCI Walker College of Cosmetology. She later received a degree from Chicago State University in Child Development and an A.A. degree from the Central YMCA College then completed studies in Psychology and Philosophy at Roosevelt University.

Lela worked in beauty culture until she became a wife and mother. When her five children were all in school she began her new career in community service. After spending some time as a preschool instructor Lela worked with Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), an organization that targeted social and education initiatives in underprivileged communities in India, Jamaica, Korea, Guatemala, England, Nigeria and in many U.S. cities. She was one of the original founders and Executive Director of Fifth City Chicago Reformulation Corporation, which include Fifth City Community Center and Fifth City Preschool.

Lela's community outreach extended to the support of housing redevelopment, business careers programs and adult education programs. Her memberships included Preschool Board of Director, GNSC Advisory Council, CDBG Advisory Council, Bethany Hospital Women's Auxiliary, and the First Baptist Congregational Church where she was a member.

Lela resigned from her twenty-three year Executive Directorship position at Fifth City in November 1991 after serving twenty-eight years in Fifth City. She attributed her success to her steadfast love and commitment to God; her parents; her children; the ICA's staff and board members; and to every citizen of the Westside Community.

Lela leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter, Karen M Barnes (Irving); four sons, Dennis C Mosley III (Diane), Carl A Mosley, Manuel A Mosley, Stephen W Mosley (Kathryn); one brother John Brady (Josephine); one Aunt Vertrell Lenior; eight wonderful grandchildren; Kristie D Eames-Barnes, Kavie Barnes, Antoine Brown, Shawn Brown, Tasha Brown (Antonio), Daniel Mosley, Racquel Smrz, and Brandon Smrz; and great-grandchildren Daniel Mosley, Jr., Antonio Brown, Jr., along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, loving friends and extended family.