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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2021)
January 27, 2021 Page 11 Obituaries In Loving Memory Ora Lee Green Sunrise: Dec. 28, 1933 Sunset: Jan. 6, 2021 A Celebration of Life service for Ora Lee Green was sched- uled Tuesday at Willamette Na- tional Cemetery with Pastor John Steward officiating. The arrange- ments were under the direction of Terry Family Funeral Home. God called Missionary Green home on Jan. 6, 2021. She was born on Dec. 28, 1933 in Crescent City, Okla. to parents James LT. Vester and Mary Lanie Vester, the second born of identical twin girls. Her beloved sister was Dora Lee Smith. Missionary Green was educated in Perry, Okla., where prior to graduating from Blaine High School, her family moved to Imperial, Calif., and where she and her twin sister graduated from Central Union High School. Missionary Green met her late husband, Rev. Selvester Green III, in Imperial, and they got mar- ried in the summer of 1956. With this union, they gave life to three children. Their first child, Ora Lelinna Green, was born in Calexico, Calif., the second, Sylvester Keith Green, was born in Port Wayne, Calif., and the third child, Kirk Lancent Green, was born in Long Beach, Calif. During their time in California, Missionary Green and her husband served as junior pastors in the youth department at the Los Angeles Church of the Living God Temple #1. In 1965, the fami- ly moved to Portland, where her late husband was promoted to pastor the Portland Church of the Liv- ing God Temple #1. During this time, Missionary Ora found work at Stacy’s Cleaners. Shortly after, she became the first Black controller at Stacy’s. In addition, she became In Loving Memory Verna Mae Turner-Fisher Sunrise: Sept. 17, 1945 Sunset: Jan. 16, 2021 On Sept. 17, 1945 Verna Mae Turner-Fisher entered this world, the second of six children born to Louis and Georgia Turner. Verna enjoyed going to school and playing with friends. She be- came a mother at a young age, but didn’t let that stop her from receiving her diploma from Thom- as Jefferson High School in 1963. She was very proud of her accom- plishment. While caring for her children, she started hobbies such as talking on the CB radio. Her African American Roots C ontinued froM P age 5 Thursday, Feb. 4 “The history of Vancouver’s African American population is little known but a vibrant thread in the fabric of southwest Wash- ington,” Williams said. “Learning about the struggles and gifts of the the vice president of the Rose City M.M. Wives Asso- ciation and Treasury. Missionary Ora had a passion to teach and began working on her teaching degree with assistance from Mrs. Evelyn Collins who had started and operated a childcare center for working moth- ers. She found support for her continuing edu- cation at Humboldt and Applegate Elementary schools. In 1985, she graduated from Portland State University. Her teaching career began with assisting eductors at Portland Communi- ty College and the University of Portland until she received a permanent position as a full time teacher at Beaumont Elementary. After 45 years of teaching, she then retired and became a part- time teacher for every public elementary school in north, northeast and southeast Portland. First Lady Ora dedicated her life to spreading the gospel from her first breath to her last. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels where the nonprofit thanked her for her service and honored her by in- cluding her portrait in Meals on Wheels billboards and delivery trucks. She practiced what she preached, living on this earth as an angel. Ora was known as a natural lead- er in her community with an unwavering spirit. She also had a passion for history, community building and music. In order to fulfill her passions, she assisted Mrs. Clara Peoples with the Juneteenth festival from 1971 to 2019. Some of her proudest moments were the birth of her children and watching them grow up and start their own families. She was also very proud with the arrival of each grandchild, great-grandchild and great-great grandchild. Ora loved to preach, travel, teach, and cook for her family. She was the anchor of the family and always brought them together to reminisce, laugh and enjoy one another’s company. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great- great grandchildren, and many extended family and friends. She was loved and respected by all and will be truly missed. handle was “Sweet Georgia Brown.” She also loved thrift shop- ping; her favorite place was the “Goodwill as Is” store. In 1978 she met her friend, Cathy Bruce who invited her to church. That invitation changed her life for the better! She gave her life to Christ and became a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late great Rev. Felton Howard, and she served un- der his leadership for 30 years. When Verna’s health started to decline, she never felt bad or sorry for herself; she would keep giving God the praise and keep a smile on her face! She never complained and handled everything like the queen that she was. Three years ago, they said she wouldn’t make it, but she fought. Verna made it through to her 75th birthday. She was preceded in death by her moth- er and father; son Richard L. Perez; and brother Ronnie Turn- er. She leaves to cherish her mem- ory, her beloved children Philip Perez, Janell Perez, and Michael Perez (Carrie); youngest daughter Akiba Fisher; 9 grandkids; 15 great grandkids; 3 sisters, Barbara Bai- ley (Bill) of Tucson, Ariz., and Lu- cinda Baldwin and Shirleen Reed of Portland; brother Louis Turner Jr. (Debbie) of Vancouver; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and close friends. area’s first Black families prompts us to appreciate the richness of our community and to acknowledge the challenges that some have faced in finding a sense of belong- ing in a place.” Williams is a 33-year resident of Vancouver who earned a bach- elor’s degree in history from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in public history from Washington State University Vancouver. Tickets for William’s presenta- tion are $5 and free for museum members by visiting cchmuseum. org/shop. A private link will be sent prior to the show. 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