Mother Mercedes Mazique’s Story

Mother Mercedes Mazique, affectionately known to her family as Mom, Grandma, Merc, Mickey, and Aunt Mickey was born October 12, 1951, in Canton, Mississippi to Robert Lee and Rosie Lee Bilbrew. Mercedes’ parents moved from Canton, Mississippi in 1952 to raise their family in Portland, Oregon. She attended Elliot Grade School, Vernon Elementary School and Jefferson High School. She graduated in 1973 from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and was the first of her siblings to graduate from college.

Mercedes was raised in the church by her grandmother, Evangelist Missionary Lizzie Joshua “Mama Lizzie”. She joined Emmanuel Temple Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Portland, Oregon under the leadership of the late Bishop A.A. Wells in the early 1970’s and gave her life to Christ and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Her sisters and brothers recall her being the “first one of the siblings to be saved” and because of her faith in Jesus many of her family members now know Christ as their Lord and Savior. Mercedes was very active in the church at ET including singing in the choir and serving as tribe leader of tribe # 6 (Zebulun). She also frequently traveled with the church to various national conventions. Mercedes made many new friends while at Emmanuel including Evangelist Netti Carroll, Sis. Denyse Peterson and Sis. Sandra Scott whom she lived with for almost 5 years. Her friends described her as compassionate, caring, a prayer warrior, and a giver. She was such a giver that church friends thought that she was rich! She gave out of a joyful heart and with pleasure and always made sure her tribe met their goals as tribe leader. Mercedes was also very loving, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 adequately describes the love she showed to all.

During her many travels with Emmanuel Temple Church, Mercedes met George Mazique and they were married in December 1979 and moved to Tacoma, WA. To this union they were blessed with two children, Janessa and Hyson. The family joined New Covenant Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in 1980 under the late Pastor Edna Travis and continued her faithful service to the Lord as Missionary Board President, Sunday School Teacher, Missionette President, and loved to sing in the choir. Mercedes was ordained a Missionary and appointed Church Mother at New Covenant Pentecostal Tabernacle Church.

Mother Mazique had a long career working at US West Communications telephone company in Tacoma, Washington and helped one of her nieces obtain her first job working at the same company. Shortly after retiring, she started Jesus Daycare Connection at her home caring for one child, but the daycare quickly grew to several more children, some of whom she kept close contact with up until her passing.

Mother Mazique, followed and cheered on all of her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and grandchildren in all of their sports endeavors. She was a very family-oriented person and her grandchildren, nieces, nephew godchildren and siblings will never forget her. She would always tell us not to say goodbye, but I’ll see later. Well, mom, grandma, Merc, Mickey, Aunt Mickey, because of the life you lived before us and the example that you left us, we will see you later.

Mercedes, leaves to cherish her memories, Husband, George Mazique, Two Children; Janessa Mazique, Hyson Mazique, Grandchildren; Lei’Leah Marlene Mazique, Romeo Johnson, Anyah Johnson, Marlecia Carr, Zrico Simmons, Loyal Simmons, Lavish Simmons, Luciano Simmons, Mia Harris-Steele and Dameka Harris Steele Jr., Siblings; Jacqueline R. Nichols, Elizabeth Fae Richard, Donald Bilbrew (Marilyn), Valerie Berry (James), Valora Mason, Toni Booker (Michael), Terri Tinnon (Andrew), Tasha Bilbrew, 8 godchildren, aunts, uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her Father; Robert Lee Bilbrew I, Mother; Rosie Lee Holmes-Bilbrew, Grandfather; Daddy Willie Joshua, Grandmother; Mama Lizzie Joshua, Niece; Jomisha Smith and Nephew; Antonio Terrell Richard Sr., and her dear brother, Darnell Bilbrew who passed just hours after she transitioned.

Visitation services will be held Friday, January 7, 2022   3pm-7pm at Scott Funeral Home

Funeral services  Saturday, January 8, 2022   11:00 AM Shiloh Baptist Church 1211 South I Street Tacoma, WA 98405