Ora Nelson Frazier
Obituary / Biography
Ora Frazier
Teacher
Counselor
Principal
Historian
In 1990, she wrote and coordinated the acclaimed choral music presentation entitled “A Southern Road to Freedom,” for the Holy Family Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Alvin Shelby. This entertaining and educational show told the story of Africans and African Americans in Natchez from slavery to modern times through narration and music.
Ora Frazier
1931-2025
A woman of great faith and resilience!
...a life filled with love, service, and a deep appreciation for history
Ora Nelson Frazier, 94, a woman of great faith and resilience, transitioned from works to reward on March 15, 2025 in Greensboro, NC. Born as a “preemie” to Dan and Mae Ella Nelson on Feb 3, 1931, in Laurel, MS, Ora was a proud 1955 graduate of Tougaloo College with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She began her teaching career at Johnson High School in Woodville, MS where she met and then married Joseph L. Frazier in 1959. She moved to Natchez, where she taught in the Natchez Public School System until 1992. Her longest tenure was spent at North Natchez High School where she served as a dedicated English teacher, guidance counselor, Year Book Staff advisor, and Honor Society sponsor. She took many honor society students on trips that made lasting memories. As a counselor, she did all within her power to expose her students to colleges and careers by hosting college fairs and military recruiting events.
While she worked tirelessly to help students prepare and gain admission to the college of their choice or where she thought was the best fit for them, it was no secret that Ora Frazier was a shameless and fierce recruiter for Tougaloo College as she “strongly encouraged” many of her students to choose “The Eagle Queen”. And the message began at home as she and her husband, a Principal and School Administrator for over 30 years, were strong proponents of education both in and outside the classroom. Her son, Joe Frazier II, attended the Pre-Health/Pre-Engineering Summer Science Program at Tougaloo in the summer of 1979 and entered Tougaloo as a freshman after his 11th grade year. He graduated from Tougaloo in 1983 with a degree in Math/Computer Science, and as a Dual Degree student at Georgia Tech, he received his degree in Applied Physics and Computer Engineering in the Class of 1984.
Danese also attended the Tougaloo Pre-Health Summer Science Program in 1981 and entered Tougaloo as a freshman in the Fall of 1982. She followed in her mom’s footsteps as an English major and graduated Summa Cum Laude after only three years, as #4 in the Class of 1985. Danese also gave the Commencement message on behalf of the class. She received a Masters in Technical and Scientific Communication from Miami University in Ohio.
Ora Frazier did further study at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH as her husband pursued his Master’s degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Ora’s father, sister, and niece had all moved from Laurel to Cleveland for better opportunities when Ora left for Tougaloo. Ora received her Master’s and AAA Certificate in Guidance and Administration from Alcorn State University and her Specialist Certificate in Guidance from Jackson State University.
After 33 years of service with the Natchez public schools, Ora retired…temporarily. Only one month later, she accepted the role of Principal at Holy Family Catholic School, where she was a devoted member of Holy Family Church. Mrs. Frazier was excited to impact a new generation of young students, as well as teachers and staff. She had taught many of the staff members and parents at North Natchez. She served as principal for five years.
Ora Frazier lived a life filled with love, service, and a deep appreciation for African American history, which she freely shared to educate others. She held and facilitated Black History programs, Kwanzaa celebrations, and in 1990, she wrote and coordinated the acclaimed choral music presentation entitled “A Southern Road to Freedom,” for the Holy Family Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Alvin Shelby. This entertaining and educational show told the story of Africans and African Americans in Natchez from slavery to modern times through narration and music. The show was performed as part of the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage tour of antebellum homes for many years. The choir was even commissioned by a tourist who attended the show, to take the show all the way to California. “Southern Road” was performed for almost 30 years, long after Ora Frazier left Natchez.
Ora Frazier
Loved by many over the country and over the years!
In 1993, Ora Frazier was awarded the “Natchezian of the Year” award by the Natchez Chamber of Commerce. She was selected as one of the “Most Influential African Americans in Natchez,” and organized the first Black History Lecture Series for the Historic Natchez Foundation. She served as an instructor for the first Step-on Tour Guide School for Black Heritage Tours and was a Certified Tour Guide for the City of Natchez.
Ora Frazier was active in the Holy Family Choir, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver, led the Children’s Choir for several years, was a member of the National Council of Negro Women – Natchez Section, a Life Member of the Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, and also enjoyed her water aerobics group of friends at the Senior Citizens Center. Going to water aerobics sometimes two times each week was a major leap of faith for Ora as she had been afraid of being in a pool since she was a child. Ora Frazier was a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and served as the Centennial Basileus of Zeta Delta Omega Chapter in Natchez, where she was initiated. She continued uninterrupted membership as a General member until her death.
A servant and nurturer by nature, she always put her family first, yet she offered unwavering support, guidance, scriptures, and prayer to not only her biological children, but to countless students, co-workers, church and sorority members, and “adopted” sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews in Natchez, Greensboro, the Atlanta area, and beyond. She was a generous woman who showed love by giving and by cooking. Many have been blessed by both funds and food.
Late in 2010, she made the decision to leave Natchez and move to Greensboro, NC with Joe and Rhonda and their family and to also be closer to her daughter, Danese in Kennesaw, GA. Ora united with Destiny Church where Joe and Rhonda serve in leadership. She was asked by Pastor Lee Stokes to lead a new demographic of members and became the first leader of the Golden Seniors Ministry. She was loved by all and continued to share Black history nuggets and monologues whenever she was called upon.
Ora was blessed to realize many of her dreams and “bucket list” items: She and her husband of 39 years who preceded her in death in 1998, opened a store in Natchez, GOJ Imports (God, Ora, and Joe), which provided African clothing, artifacts, cultural items, and books; and for six weeks in 1999 she traveled across six countries in West Africa. She also traveled to various countries in Europe, including England, France, Italy, and Spain. And she was blessed to see her children, grandchildren, and extended family grow in the admonition of the Lord.
Ora Frazier didn’t just live, but she had a full and abundant life. One of her favorite scriptures was one that she reflected in life, 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
She is survived by her children, Joe (Rhonda) Frazier II, Danese (Andrew) Turner, her niece, Eleanor “Puggie” Gamble, nephew, Ross Dale (Berlyn) Nelson; granddaughters Jordan Frazier, Reagan Frazier, De’ja Turner, Jahlisa (Byrron) McCollister, and Jamesia Jones, and grandsons Christopher (Teree) Turner and Steven (Jessica) Turner; great niece Sheila E. Gamble, and great nephews, Carl Gamble, Ross (Brittany) Nelson II, Dan Nelson, and cousins Lillie Jones, Gayle Jones, and Muriel Jones; Charles (Mae Ella) Paige, and their children, Kisha (Malcolm) Jenkins and Charlis Paige; cousins Ora Sanders (Lavonne), Joe (Jean) Smith, Helen (Ronnie) Jackson, Debra Jones Howard, Bessie Jones, Rose Jones, Dr. Lisa Green Derry (Horace); two special 'sisterfriends' of 70 and 65 years respectively, Geneva Patterson and Bonita Reed, and a host of godchildren, other cousins, sorors, and friends who will miss her tremendously.
