Uncrowned Community Builders

Mahala Louise Stewart was born on July 3, 1916 in Shorter, Alabama. She was the youngest of eight children born to Professor Samuel M. Parker and Nora Hayes Parker. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings.

Louise, as Mahala was known, joined the First Missionary Baptist Church of Shorter at an early age. She received her elementary education in Shorter. Journeying to Selma, Alabama to live with an aunt, Louise received her high school education there. Pursuing further education, she attended Selma University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

While attending college, Louise met Heard L. Snell. The two were married on June 4, 1939 in Selma and shortly afterwards relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Together they were blessed with two children H. Patricia Snell and Hiram L. Snell. In April 1945, the family moved to Buffalo, New York. Louise's husband and both of her children preceded her in death.

Shortly after arriving in Buffalo, true to their dedication to God, church and family, the Snell family joined the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church pastored by the late Reverend Dr. Jesse Edward Nash, Sr. and subsequently the late Reverend Porter W. Phillips. Louise later became a member of Delaware Avenue Baptist Church. A dedicated and willing worker, she participated in many of the church's organizations. She served as Superintendent of the Sunday School; was a Sunday School teacher, member of the choir and the usher board; served on the Board of Christian Education and worked in the Summer Vacation Bible School Program.

During the early 1950s, Louise worked as a School Crossing Guard. She was among the first group of guards hired by the City of Buffalo. Her post was at Emslie and Peckham Streets where she crossed hundreds of children as they made their way to Buffalo Public School #31. While working as a crossing guard, Louise had a desire to further her education. She enrolled at Buffalo State College where she received her master's degree in Elementary Education, specializing in Education for the Mentally Challenged. In 1960, she began her teaching career with the Buffalo Public School System and taught at Schools 41, 6, 82 and retired from School 74 in 1982.

On December 20, 1962, Louise married Mr. Mahatha S. Stewart. They shared 12 years together until Mahatha's passing in 1974.

Louise was affiliated with several organizations. She was a life member of Buffalo Retired Teachers, New York State Retired Teachers, the National Education Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was also a member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, the Buffalo Federation of Women, the Book Lovers' Club and the Beta Phi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.

Travel took Louise extensively throughout the United States and Canada. She also traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, parts of the Far and Middle East and India. She enjoyed going places and seeing and meeting people. Her motto was "People are important."

Louise died on December 29, 2015. She was 99 years old. She had been a long-time resident of Elderwood Health Care at Wedgewood in Amherst, New York. She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.