Ora Lee Hunt

****PLEASE NOTE: WALK-THROUGH VISITATION & SERVICE TIMES LISTED BELOW**** ****ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VIEW SERVICES ONLINE YOU HAVE (3) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM: 1. Go to Mt. Zion Baptist Church's website at: mtzionkalamazoo.org -Or 2. Go to YouTube and type in mtzionbaptistkalamazoo -Or 3. Go to Facebook, if you have a facebook account. after logging in, type in Myzionbaptistkalamazoo ***FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT USE THE INTERNET, YOU MAY LISTEN TO THE SERVICE ON YOUR PHONE BY CALLING: (269) 206-9635 ____________________________________ Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 120 Roberson Street in Kalamazoo has scheduled a ****PRIVATE Memorial Service for Family Only and will Live Stream the service for the public at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2020.**** Family will meet with friends following the Private Memorial for the interment at Mt Ever-Rest Cemetery, S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo. ****According to the Governor's Executive Orders for the outside space, (100) people maximum can attend the interment**** ______ ****OBITUARY****** "A Celebration Of Life For Ora Lee Hunt" Ms. Ora Lee Hunt received her heavenly wings on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in the peace of her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born in Foules, Louisiana, on October 26,1928, to the late John Hunt and Joanna Boxley Hunt. As it was not uncommon during those years, Ora and her family made several moves. She lived in Monroe, Louisiana, where she attended Monroe Colored High School. The family later moved to Orange, Texas, and then to Ferriday, Louisiana, after her mother passed. She completed her secondary education in Ferriday, Louisiana. During the historical Great Migration of the 1950s, Ora set out to join her sister Rosie Lee Dorsey for a new life in Detroit, Michigan. While in Detroit, Ora attended cosmetology school and obtained her cosmetology license. She later moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and continued to work in cosmetology. In a time when such a thing was not so common for Black women, Ora became a successful small business owner. Starting in the early 1960’s, Ora operated a successful beauty salon in her home for over 35 years and was known in the community for being an outstanding cosmetologist. She was an inspiration to many of her clients – as a counselor, as a mentor. In addition, after a 25 year career as a cosmetologist with the Kalamazoo State Hospital (Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital), Ora retired in 1991. From 1971-2019, Ora also worked closely with Harper Funeral Home as a hair stylist, bringing comfort and familiarity to families as they laid their loved ones to rest. Ora accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1960 and was a faithful member until the time of her passing. She was a member of the Music Ministry (Ensemble and Chancel Choirs), Christian Education Ministry (Fulfillment Hour, Prayer and Bible Study) Mission Ministry and Women’s Day Committee. Ora was a fabulous cook. Cajun food was her specialty, and she loved to expose her Michigan friends to the wonders of Louisiana cuisine. One of her favorite meals was the annual Thanksgiving Dinner which she hosted for family and friends. Ora was a free spirit, and enjoyed life to the fullest. She was a member of a women’s card group that met weekly and was an avid card player and a mathematical genius. She loved to travel to visit family and friends. The Caribbean, Canada, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas were some of favorite places to visit. Ora loved her family and was one of the founding members in 1977 of the tri-annual Boxley Family Reunion. She looked forward to reuniting with her huge extended family at the Boxley Family Reunions. She especially enjoyed it when several of her extended family came to Kalamazoo in July 2019 to have a mini reunion to celebrate her. Ora was blessed with what would be her last opportunity to travel and spend time with extended family when she went to South Carolina in March 2020 to share in the wedding celebration of a beloved family member. A kind and giving person, Ora had such a strong personality and a voice that was all its own. She was warm-hearted with a great sense of humor, and she had such a giving spirit. Ora was active in the Kalamazoo community, always involved in activities to help make life better for those in the community. She was a big supporter of the NAACP. While she had no children of her own, she opened her heart and her home to others. She cared for her aunt’s teenage daughter from Louisiana who came to live with her and attend high school in Kalamazoo. When Ora’s sister Rosie Lee passed, she took over the care of her cousin Bryant Leggett whom her sister was raising, and she continued raising him like her own son. Ora was preceded in death by her parents John and Joanna Hunt, stepfather Harley Swaggert, sister Rosie Lee Dorsey, former husbands Leo Harley and Vincent Gooden, and special ‘sister’ cousins, Lessie Curtis and Alma Rancifer. Ora leaves to cherish her memory her loving cousin Bryant Leggett, a host of beloved relatives and friends, and special friends Teresa ‘T’ Curry and Betty Gardner.

Ora Lee Hunt

October 26, 1928 - June 2, 2020