Margaret Louise Bragg Seay, known to many as Mother Margaret Seay, but to the family as "Moma Lou," died Saturday, May 4, 2002.
She attended the public schools of Hamilton County and graduated from Howard High School in 1963. Interested in the medical field and social services, she attended Edmondson Junior College, majoring in medical assistance. She later transferred to Cleveland State Community College where she was pursuing a degree in nursing.
She served in her community and the public at large in numerous capacities. Mother Seay loved serving people. For this reason, she would often do volunteer work and participate in charitable organizations, especially with the Kidney Foundation. She has been employed as a domestic worker, sales clerk, store supervisor, nurse assistant, school teacher, religious leader and counselor.
For years, Mother Seay served as president of the usher's board at Jackson Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder C. H. Douglas. She was the state president of the Hospitality for Tennessee Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. She was appointed district youth chairlady of the Chattanooga District. After a few years in that position, she was elected Tennessee Second Jurisdiction youth chairlady. She was appointed district missionary of the Chattanooga District. In 1987, she was instrumental in speaking with Pastor Derrick W. Hutchins to begin a new work in Chattanooga. Together they organized and established a new church, Word Center Church of God in Christ. Pastor Derrick W. Hutchins soon appointed her the church mother. She continued to work at the state level under the supervision of Mother Willie Mae Rivers, Interim state supervisor of women's work in Tennessee Second Jurisdiction. In 1992, Mother Seay was appointed and installed as Tennessee Second Jurisdiction state supervisor. She faithfully served in this capacity until death. In 1996, Mother Seay was instrumental in helping to begin another work, Living Word Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Elder Darwin Randolph. There she served also as church mother.
Later, she joined Temple of Faith Deliverance Church of God in Christ, then under the leadership of Bishop Felton M. Smith Jr., now under the leadership of Elder Rozario Slack.
Survivors are her husband, Joseph Oliver Seay; father, Albert Bragg; mother, Mary Ella Berry-Bragg; children, Evangelist Karen Bailey, Nashville, Tenn., Evangelist Sharon (Keith) Seay-Eiland, Tullahoma, Tenn., Elder DeJuan "Jeff" (Ebay) Seay, Chattanooga, Elder Jonathan (Erika) Seay, Nashville, Pastor Cedric (Roxanne) Seay, Tullahoma; Randall Dremell Odell (grandson), Chattanooga, Elder Maurice (Marilyn) Bragg (nephew), Douglasville, Ga., LaDonna (Kevin) Walker (niece), Chattanooga; brothers, John K. (Anne) Bragg, Columbus, Ohio, Jessie L. Bragg, Chattanooga, Elder Willie J. (Mary E.) Bragg, Pensacola, Fla.; Elder Samuel L. (Rella) Bragg, Evansville, Ind., Lester (Callie) Bragg, Chattanooga, Norman (Linda) Bragg, Chattanooga; sisters, Bertha (Elder Willie) Springer, Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Mattie (Lebron) Russell, Chattanooga; mother Sarah (Elder Leon) Gaston, Nesbit, Miss., Patsy Bragg, Nashville, Tenn.; father-in-law, Elijah Seay, Huntsville, Ala.; sisters-in-law, Catherine (J. W.) Robinson, Huntsville, Doris (Roy) Hatten, Chattanooga, Julie Mapp, Chattanooga; brother-in-laws, Michael (Sharon) Seay, Richmond, Va., E.J. Seay, Buffalo, N.Y., Willie (Patricia) Rainey, Chattanooga; grandchildren, Desiree Seay, Jeffery Bailey, Demetrius Seay, Darius Seay, Jor'Deisha Ransom, Olivia Seay, Montae' Eiland, DeAndrea Seay, Kaleb Seay; goddaughter, Vivian Devette Daniels.
She was preceded in death by parents, Albert and Mary Bragg; and brother, Albert Bragg Jr.
Saints celebration and tributes will be Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the Family Mortuary chapel.
Service of victory and triumph will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Olivet Baptist Church, 751 M.L. King Blvd., Chattanooga, Rev. Kevin Adams, pastor. The officiary of the Church of God in Christ will preside.
Interment will be in the Hamilton Gardens.
Services are by Family Mortuary Inc., 4707 12th Ave., Chattanooga TN.