Mable Graham

October 27, 1928 - May 19, 2025

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Obituary for Mable Graham

Mable Lee Graham, known to some as Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Cousin Mable, Ms. Mable, Ms. Graham and the Mayor of Mattapan,” was the matriarch of the family. She was born Mable Lee Monroe on October 27, 1928, to Estella (Monroe) Carthens in Red Springs North Carolina. She was raised at Mount Zion Missionary Methodist Church where God was the head of her life, and going to church was a family ritual. She obtained her education in North Carolina and early on married and gave birth to her son Ardis.

In 1951 over the Columbus Day weekend, the family moved to Boston seeking a better life, a good paying job and a place to call their own. Shortly after the move she found a job at BF Goodrich Tire Factory where she worked for some years. She joined Morgan Memorial “Church of all Nations”, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Board Member and in any capacity that she was needed she was always available to serve until the early two thousand when the doors closed.

She tackled Jim Crow and affordable housing and stared down Bigots who didn’t like “her kind” moving into the neighborhood. However, in 1967 she and her family were blessed to purchase a home in the Mattapan area. Not only that, they were the first black family on Ormond Street. Immediately after settling in she became involved with the Mattapan’s oldest establishment “the Civic Group”. Eventually she started working at Polaroid Cameras where she worked as a mail clerk for over 30 years retiring in 1988. She also became involved in a program at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. This was an internship program for out-of-state students, where she provided not only room and board, but served as a Surrogate Mother.

After her retirement she became more involved in Civic Life Serving on the Boards of the Mattapan Partnership, The Boston State Hospital Community Advisory Committee and the Dimock Community Health Center’s Human Service Committee, Planning board of the Mattapan Library as well as co-owner of The Combined Black Philanthropists. Additionally, she was involved in the Neighborhood Community Groups and participated in any groups to better the neighborhood. She was very outspoken and supported of many politicians one being the former Mayor Thomas Menino. In many ways Ms. Graham was a “Classic City Environmentalist”.

In the early 90’s she became involved in the Foster Grand-Parent Program where she became a foster mother to many. Eventually, a 3-year-old named Stevie came into her care, he became part of the family who she later adopted at the age of 15. In 1998, she became The Honorary President & co-founder of SOS support group (Supporting Our Special Children.) After the closing of her former church her and Stevie joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

One of the remarkable things about Ms. Mable is that regardless of the person, she always saw “The good in everyone”. She always extended herself whether it was by means of money or a place to lay your head. She never said NO she would give her last dollar if that wasn’t enough her bank card and say go get want you need or she would borrow the money to give to someone in need. As soon as you would enter her house she would always ask “did you eat”. She would make sure that you had food for yourself and would further tell you to go into the kitchen fix what you want but say “make sure you wash your hands”. She truly had a heart of gold.

Her health was declining in September of 2021 when she moved in with her niece and family, this is when she joined Trusting God Ministry Baptist Church. In November she was placed in a Retirement Home in Norton, Ma. After three years there, she was moved to St. Joseph Manor Nursing Home in Brockton, MA where she lived out her final days with so much love and compassion that was shown to her and the family.

Preceding her in death is her son Ardis, Mother –Estella four sisters- Bernice, Vera, Mary, Lillian 3 brothers- Vardell ,Winford, Franklin. She leaves to mourn her memory Grandchildren- Nujan McCormick, Jessica Graham, Osiah Graham and her Sister Myrtle Blue of North Carolina. 4- Great Grandchildren 4 Great Great Grandchildren her closet niece Michele Slade-Moore(Donald) Nephew Larry Graham & Great Nephew Derrick Slade and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends as well as her longtime friend for over 50 years Ms. Willie Mae Allen.

Funeral Service, Friday May 30, 2025, in St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 230 Warren Street, Roxbury, at 11 o'clock. Visiting Hour at the church 10 - 11am. Interment Forest Hills Cemetery.

Services

30 May

Visitation

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Saint John Missionary Baptist Church 230 Warren Street Roxbury, MA 02119 Get Directions »
30 May

Funeral Service

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Saint John Missionary Baptist Church 230 Warren Street Roxbury, MA 02119 Get Directions »
30 May

Interment

01:00 PM

Forest Hills Cemetery 95 Forest Hills Ave Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • July 12, 2025

    Reshon Starkes

    Hello family , I'm so sorry for the lost of ur Grandmother and a mother who was so sweet by far she was the best mother figure in my life and my family the Celester we cherish this moment to say this is Reshon you guys know me Maggie and Billy niece daughter call me I'm always here 617 412-9606 family call me

  • May 30, 2025

    Hafeezah Bell

    Thank you, Mrs. Mable, for your dedication and Service to the families caring for people who are developmentally challenged. I was introduced to S.O.S. (Supporting Or Special Citizens) with my granddaughter when she was 12 years old. I became a member and was welcomed with love and support at a time when I didn't know how to care for my granddaughter, who is now 32 and developmentally challenged. Mrs. Mable, is our honorary president and co-founder of the organization. We are celebrating 26 years of Service as a family support group with the Dimock community health center. Thank you for encouraging our families to become strong, able and willing to carry on your Advocacy to Support, our members and others who need a direction and Help to maintain and care for those could not help themselves. thank God for her, thank you to her family and friends for sharing this beautiful woman with our communities. She will be missed. Sincerely Hafeezah Bell. thank you.

  • May 29, 2025

    Glenn Ross

    I have been remembering my Friend and Mother, Mrs Mable Graham - in my prayers each day, and am grateful that she was able to meet with me on my last visit to MA. I Thanked Her - again, for mentoring me when I was a young man of 20 years. She was a kind and gracious soul, and taught me many valuable lessons during my short time in Boston - some 50 years ago. Lessons that sustained and prepared me as I transitioned from college student into the broader world. Her lessons sustained me then and to this day; and I have passed them on to my children. And in this season, I pass the lessons on to my children's children. On my last visit with Mrs Graham, I did not say goodbye. I will not say goodbye today. Because Mrs Graham is still with me, and with my children, and so on. We All Love You Mrs Graham. Rest in Heaven. Glenn Ross PO Box 3056 Peoria, IL. 61612

  • May 29, 2025

    Jennifer Queen

    Condolences to Ms Mable Graham family Your Aunt, Grandmother was a member and Co-founder of SOS Support Group through Dimock Health Center and DDS. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting her. RIP Ms Mabel, love Jennifer

  • May 29, 2025

    Gwendolyn M. Vincent

    Greetings to the Moore/ Slade Family. My Connection with Aunt Mable is through her niece Michele who by the way is an Awesome person. I had the honor of knowing how fierce Ai t Mable was & Is (through the story-telling, information shared & through the Gratitude of just How important Aunt Mable was to Michele). Listening to the many contributions Aunt Mable made both to the neighborhood & to society. I am so Touched by this Activist who I've never had the opportunity to meet. However, I am Blessed to ( know of her through her niece Michele). Let us not forget, "to be Absent from the body, Is to be Present with the Lord." Thank you Aunt Mable for being A Soldier in The Lord's Army. Gwendolyn M. Vincent ( Friend of Michele Slade-Moore). Rest In Peace Aunt Mable...

  • May 27, 2025

    Liz McLean Brown

    My family and I are sending our condolences to the family of Mrs. Mable Graham. She was the real deal: giving to all family members and any associate, and plus, a real community activist. I will surely miss our calls and loving connection. She showed my sister Carrie and me real affection when we showed up to spend the summers with Aunt Liz and her sons Doug and W.C. and his family. Such a touching and inspirational woman!🙏🏾Liz McLean Brown, Raleigh, NC

  • May 27, 2025

    Myrtle Blue

    You were my oldest and I were your youngest I will forever cherish the memories we shared and our endless talks on the phone thanks for your encouragement down through the years I will love you forever and forever I will and I will see you on the other side love your baby sister Myrtle ❤️

  • May 27, 2025

    Deacon Robert and Tonya Price

    To the Moore/Slade family. Our deepest condolences go out to you at this time. Aunt Mable may you take your rest. God only takes the best. He seen you tired and ready to go. To say not goodbye but until the next time. Yall know we love you. And here if we can help. Your hearts may be saddened but REJOICE that Aunt Mable has been set free.

  • May 26, 2025

    Shelley Watkins

    You will be sooo missed Cousin Mable. You have are a strong phenomenal woman. I have always admired and looked up to you. Love you so much and will miss you.

  • May 26, 2025

    Tony E Graham

    My favorite memorie of Aunt Mabel is the summer of 1977 and my family last summer living in the projects!!! It was a Saturday morning on July 28th 1977 my 15th birthday and Aunt Mabel called the house and asked if we myself my brother Mike and Cousin Chris who was visiting with us and ask if we wanted to go to Canpey Lake to go Roller Coster riding. We definitely said yes!!!! She can by Nujan Scott her Sister Vera and we had a BALL!!!!! To be it was the perfect way to end are last summer in the projects!!! That's who Aunt Mabel was!!!! I do feel really sad that she is the last of are Aunts!!!!! Until we meet again it's not good bye!!! But see you later!!!!

  • May 24, 2025

    Larry Graham

    I am deeply saddened to hear of aunt Mable's passing it is because of aunt Mable that I am a born again Christian: she nurtured my faith in Christ by taking my siblings and I to church every Sunday! When my mom passed away aunt Mable's would call to check on me regularly Rest in peace aunt Mable until we meet again!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾