Mazell M. Rudder was born June 21, 1940, to Will and Ada Magee in Prentiss, MS. She was the sixteenth child born out of sixteen children.
She completed her primary education there at Prentiss Institute in Jefferson Davis County before attending Oakwood University formerly Oakwood College. It is the only HBCU owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church which is in Huntsville, AL.
Mazell accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church before she became a permanent member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. She later moved to Biloxi, MS where other family members lived; and began her career where she worked as a counselor and a pediatric nurse in the medical field at Biloxi Memorial Hospital in Biloxi, MS. Mazell relocated to Portland Oregon in 1968 where she worked at the now Legacy Emanuel Hospital as a nurse. She also was a life skills counselor for project Network where she then retired in 2004.
Mazell was known for her cooking. Her specialty was greens, dressing and sweet potato pies. She loved to garden as well. Mazell was a faithful and an active member of Sharon SDA Church where she served as deaconess and many other roles.
Mazel M. Rudder went to sleep in Jesus on Monday October 24th, 2022. She was 82 years of age. Mazell has two living siblings remaining Ada M. Morris of Los Angeles, CA and Thelma M. Newsome of Ocean Springs, MS.
Mazell Rudder was preceded in death by, partner, Charles Gray; husband, Willie Sandifer; husband, Alfonso JR Rudder; and 13 siblings.
She leaves to cherish her memory her three daughters: Brenda Gray (Benajmin Howard), Melinda Sandifer (Torrance Cooper), and Beverly King( Nelson )King ; grandson, Nelson King JR.; and host of nieces, nephews and cousin.
All 3 of her children spent their own individually special time with her with great memories that will never be forgotten. She was dearly loved will be greatly missed.
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