In Memory: Mercedes Mazique '73

Mercedes (Bilbrew) Mazique '73 died Dec. 17, 2021, at age 70. Born in Canton, Miss., and raised in Portland, she earned a bachelor’s in sociology from Pacific University, the first of her siblings to graduate from college. She was very active in the Emmanuel Temple Full Gospel Pentecostal Church, where she was involved in the choir, served as a tribe leader, and traveled to national conventions. She later met George Mazique through church activities, and they married in 1979. The family joined New Covenant Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in 1980, and she served a Missionary Board president, Sunday School teacher, Missionette president and was ordained a missionary and appointed a Church Mother. She also worked at US West Communications and started Jesus Daycare Connection at her home.

Mother Mazique was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee Bilbrew and Rosie Lee Holmes-Bilbrew; grandparents Willie Joshua and Lizzie Joshua; niece Jomisha Smith; nephew Antonio Terrell Richard Sr.; and her brother, Darnell Bilbrew. She is survived by her husband, George; two children, Janessa and Hyson Mazique; nine grandchildren; siblings Jacqueline R. Nichols, Elizabeth Fae Richard, Donald (and Marilyn) Bilbrew, Valerie (and James) Berry, Valora (and Lott) Mason, Toni (and Michael) Booker, Terri (and Andrew) Tinnon and Tasha Bilbrew; eight godchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.