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In memory of

Zelma Pressey Harvey

Pittsburg, TX, USA

August 11, 1932 - March 29, 2021

Aug 11, 1932 - Mar 29, 2021

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Missionary Zelma Pressey Harvey was a saved sanctified holy ghost filled and fire baptized woman of God. She was an amazing wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and caring friend who went on to be with the Lord on March 29, 2021 at the age of 88 years old. She was born on August 11, 1932 in Blackville, Barnwell County, South Carolina to George Pressey and Dorothy Hughes. She was the second oldest child preceded in birth by her sister Elouise, and followed by Annette, Josephine, Arthur, twins Lloyd and George Jr, Eugene, Willie Edward, Phenesee, Mary, Curtis, and Michael.

On May 20, 1950, Zelma married her first husband Henry Clay Raysor in Barnwell County, South Carolina and from this union 3 children were born, Betty (1950), Gloria (1952) and Shirley (1954). After separating with her first husband Clay and leaving her children with family and close friends, she departed to New York where she sang at a Juke Joint in Amityville, Nassau County with her friend Lovey June.

While in pursuit of a music career she met the love of her life, Harold Harvey at a recording studio in Harlem, NY. After a brief dance, the two became inseparable. A bond that started out with friendship, grew into love and 63 wonderful years of marriage. To this union 6 children were born, Joyce (1959), Elaine (1960), Regina (1962), twins Harolyn and Carolyn (1965) and Harold Harvey Jr (1980).

Missionary Harvey gave her life to Christ in 1959 under the leadership of the late Bishop E. B. Stuart at Saint Mount Olive Church of God in Christ. Missionary Harvey was a true woman of God who embodies the definition of a virtuous woman. She way the first Lady of Jacob Cathedral under the leadership of Superintendent Harold Harvey. She was a missionary and evangelist who loved the Lord wholeheartedly and faithfully served in the church for over 63 years. She loved to tell the goodness of God. She loved winning souls for Christ, helping others in need, and she loved getting dolled up with a beautiful pair of heels. And above all, she loved her family to the very end.

Missionary Harvey was many things to many people. To her husband she was a wife, a companion and all around friend. The love of his life, mother to his children and a beautiful woman with a beautiful spirit. She was an amazing cook, his personal 5 star chef. She was his rib, his best friend, his gift from God. To her children, she was a rock you could lean on. She was a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, counselor, a role model, a comforter, and a friend they were getting to know. She was patient, a protector, funny, direct but sensitive and a trailblazer. She was meek, wise, graceful, independent, fashionable, sassy and classy! A woman who could walk in her heels in her 80s. She spoke with the anointing of God, and told you the truth out of love rather if you wanted to hear it or not. She was a friend, strong but gentle, and kind hearted. She was love, she was Mama. To some of her grandchildren she was superwoman. A master chef with the best barbecue sauce ever made. An example of what a Godly woman looks like, she was sweet, she was strong, she was Big Mama.

Missionary Zelma Harvey is survived by her husband, Superintendent Harold Harvey and 10 children: Betty Washington, Gloria Raysor, Shirley Walker and her husband Terrance, Glenn (her stepson), Joyce Harvey, Elaine McClain and her husband Michael Mack, Regina Harvey, Harolyn Harvey, Carolyn Alexander and her husband Robin, and Harold Harvey jr. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren: Sabrina, Jermaine, LaShanda, Tori, Krystal, Tanya, Ganesa, Dajon, Tyron, Christopher, Jasmine, Brandon, Brea, Lashawn, Anthony, Danny, Harold Jr, James, Tyree, and brothers Willie Edward, Eugene and Lloyd. And followed by a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Dorothy and father George, all 4 of her sisters and 5 brothers, and grandsons Nicholas Eversly and Melvin Marquis Taylor.

- Love you Mama

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