Brenda Ann Massey's Obituary
OBITUARY OF BRENDA ANN “PAWNDA” MASSEY
AUGUST 14, 1940-JANUARY 16, 2021
Brenda Anne Massey, the youngest child from the matrimony of Mozelle L. Blake & Joseph T. Massey. She has taken on the Cherokee Indian name of her father, passed onto him, and his children, through his mother and grandmother.
She was born and raised in a small town in Glenolden, Pennsylvania. Her Christian background began at a very early age. Her family attended Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, which was located a block from their home. She grew up attending Sunday school, singing in the church choir, with choir rehearsal on Saturday evening, going to bible study on Wednesday evening, and prayer meetings, she was involved in Easter and Christmas plays under the direction of Eva G. Lee. Each day after school at the age of 8 years old, Brenda was a part of a Christian singing group with her childhood friends Sandra Mc Donald, and Yvonne Baxter. On weekends they would sing in churches in Philadelphia, Lansdowne, Chester, Pa., etc., singing praises to God, a collection was awarded to them after each performance. Her favorite song was “A City called Holy”.
Before school was out for the summer months she would attend bible study in a church bus at 4:00 p.m. every Wednesday. Then her parents would take the family to North and South Carolina to visit their parents and other relatives for the summer.
She received her early education at William Mckinley Elementary School, located directly across the street from the Massey home. After graduating from elementary school, she attended Darby TWP, Jr. High, where she was active in the school club, the May Day festivities. Brenda was also the director of a school dance that she choreographed for their music class, to be performed for a school program. She also joined a community softball team, and played other communities within the area. Upon graduating from Darby TWP. Jr. High she attended Darby Sr. Highschool in Darby Pennsylvania. Where she was active in Darby High school sports program. She loved playing basketball, volleyball, field hockey, and attending all football and basketball games.
In 1958 she graduated from Darby Sr. Highschool to attend Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina. There, she was active in the college in the college basketball program, a member of the little house sorority of Delta Sigma Theta, she excelled in her class work of A’s. she was voted as runner up, in the home coming queen competition at Livingston College, freshman class. Also, she played the piano in the college school of music recitals.
Brenda has always told her parents, “She had the best mother and father that a girl could have”. Her parents were very supportive in all of her involved activities, therefore she had a very meaningful childhood growing up.
In 1962 she was joined in marriage to Charles Ernest Tillman Jr, and from that union are three children; Yvette Marie Tillman-Mata, Charles Ernest Tillman III, and Howard Blake Tillman. In 1964 they purchased land and built a home in Buena Vista, New Jersey. She was also involved with the youth of the neighborhood, volunteering her time and chaperoning their activities. There they resided for seventeen years. Then they moved their family to Phoenix, AZ. She and her family became members of Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix. Brenda was a dedicated member of the church choir, usher board, church conference secretary, she worked in the church office as a church secretary, volunteered working with the youth and chaperoning some of the teenager events of Tanner Chapel Church. She and her children attended Sunday school and church services every Sunday. She was the force behind her children to attend Sunday school, singing in the church choir, and to participate in other church youth programs with her guidance.
She took classes at south mountain community college in Phoenix, AZ while working at Arizona State University at the College of law & College of Business. Her schooling and work was abruptly interrupted when she was contacted by the state Child Protective Services of Phoenix, AZ. At this time in her life, she was asked to take her three grandchildren; without wavering she did. Raising her grandchildren was her number 1 priority so they could be raised together. This was an experience in her life which she enjoyed with her heart and soul.
In 1991 she moved to San Diego CA where she continued her church affiliation, enrolled in additional college courses while working at the San Diego District Attorney’s office at the Hall of Justice building Downtown, San Diego. There she split time between the mailroom, and loved legal transcribing.
In April of 2002, she became very ill, in July of 2002 she was hospitalized for a month. One night as she was laying in her hospital bed, she heard horse hooves outside of her hospital window. When Brenda turned to look out of her window, she saw two white horses, standing in place, attached to a gold and white carriage. There was a nurse sitting in a chair at the foot of Brenda’s bed, and Brenda asked the nurse if there was a road going up, the nurse replied that we are on the eleventh floor, there is no road. Brenda heard the horses galloping, she looked out of the window again, and she saw the horses and carriage leaving in an empty carriage. As Brenda was explaining to the nurse what she was seeing, a man in the hallway who overheard the conversation, interjected into the conversation and said to her “I heard what you were saying lady, “Were you in that carriage?” Brenda replied, “No it was empty”. The man then stated that God is not ready for you yet. The man also stated his mother saw just one white horse and a white carriage, but she saw herself in that carriage; his mother died two days later.
Brenda is survived by her three children: Yvette Tillman Mata, Charles Ernest Tillman III, Howard Blake Tillman. Fourteen grandchildren; Lorenzo Mata, Hervacio Mata, Kareemah Mata, Sir Howard Tillman, Sir Vonte Tillman, Kavon Tillman, Ty Tillman, Tay Tillman, Titus Tillman, Tiona Tillman, Keishana Blackwell, Charnae Tillman, Chanedra Tillman, and a multitude of great grandchildren. Her sister Dorothy Delores Collins, Two brothers Gilbert Blake Massey, and Howard Bernard Massey, and a host of nieces and nephews.
“To my children who do not read their Holy Bible, you were raised reading a chapter each night, try reading at least 1 scripture, it can’t hurt.”
James 1:4, 19-23, Ecclesiastes, 3.
IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY
AND MEMORIES A LANE
WE WOULD WALK RIGHT UP TO HEAVEN
AND BRING YOU BACK AGAIN.
NO FAIRWELL WORDS WERE SPOKEN
NO TIME TO SAY “GOODBYE”
YOU WERE GONE BEFORE WE KNEW ITI
AND ONLY GOD COULD TELL US WHY
OUR HEARTS STILL ACHES WITH SADNESS
AND SECRET TEARS STILL FLOW
HOW DEEP OUR LOVE IS FELT FOR YOU
ONLY GOD COULD KNOW
BUT NOW WE KNOW YOU WANT US TO MOURN FOR YOU NO MORE
JUST REMEMBER ALL THE HAPPY TIMES AND
THAT LIFE WITH GOD, HAS MUCH IN STORE
NANA, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY US
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE IIN OUR HEARTS
WHERE WE WILL REMEMBER THE GIFT YOU GAVE TO US
THE GIFT OF SHARING GOD’S LOVE.
Respectfully submitted; in loving memory.
Signed, your children, and grandchildren.
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