Eliza Blakes Broadway

The Life & Legacy of Eliza Broadway

The late John Blakes, Sr. and Virginia Blakes welcomed Eliza into the world on October 8, 1939, in Woodville, Mississippi. She was the eldest of fourteen children.

At the age of thirteen, Eliza dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized by the late Reverend Eli Wilson at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. During her years at Mt. Zion, she also served under the leadership of the late Reverend David Wells and the late Reverend Nathaniel Nelson. For many years, she faithfully sang with the Mt. Zion & St. John #2 Baptist Church United Choir and attended Sunday School. Her devotion to the Lord and desire to grow in His Word inspired her to complete Bible College in the late 1980s. In 1999, she transferred her membership to Bleak House Baptist Church, then led by the late Reverend John Henry Scott. There, she joined the Deaconess Board where she served as Treasurer and attended Sunday School. Eliza remained a faithful and dedicated member of the Bleak House Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Reginald Jackson until she was called home to “Glory”.

Eliza graduated from Johnson High School in 1959, with her class being the first to hold its graduation ceremony at Wilkinson County Training School. She became a member of the Heroine of Jericho in 1977 and the Order of the Eastern Star in 1978.

From humble beginnings, Eliza built a life grounded in hard work, generosity, and love for others. Over the years, she worked at the Potato Factory, as a seamstress at Carter’s, and as an insurance agent for Williams & Williams Funeral Home. A woman of many talents, she found joy in sharing her gifts. Known for her delicious greens and cornbread, she welcomed others to her table and believed that no one visiting her home should leave hungry. Her love of sewing began with making her own clothes and later extended to creating handmade quilts for family and friends. Those who knew her affectionately as “Ms. Liza” knew that fishing held a special place in her heart and was her favorite pastime.

In 1959, Eliza married Joseph Claiborne, Jr., and they had six children — five sons and one daughter. She later welcomed another beloved daughter. In 1976, she married Alfred “Ralph” Broadway, Sr. Together they welcomed a daughter, and she gained two stepsons. She remained a loving and devoted wife until his passing. In 2001, she opened her heart and home once more by adopting a son.

Eliza leaves to cherish her precious memory her son, Lee Edward (Mary) Claiborne, Sr., of Centreville, Mississippi; two daughters, Estella (Sammie) Cotton of Centreville, Mississippi, and Augustine (Aaron) McGary of Zachary, Louisiana; her adopted son, Daylon Broadway of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one son-in-law, Raymond Singleton of Woodville, Mississippi; two daughters-in-law, Olivia Claiborne and Stacy Claiborne, both of Centreville, Mississippi; two brothers, August (Netta) Blakes and David (Ressa) Blakes, both of Syracuse, New York; and three sisters, Susie Johnson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and LePora Paige and Charity (Charles) Cross, both of Syracuse, New York.

Affectionately known as “Grandma” and “Moo-Ma,” Eliza also leaves a legacy of love through her fourteen grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her memory will forever be treasured by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Eliza was preceded in death by her parents, John and Virginia Blakes; her husband, Alfred Broadway, Sr.; her children, Kenneth Claiborne, Charles Claiborne, Cinderella Singleton, Joseph Claiborne III, and Christopher Claiborne; her sisters, Ledell Smith and Lillian Wiggins; her brothers, Wendell Blakes and John Blakes, Jr.; her stepsons, John Broadway and Alfred Broadway, Jr.; and two great-grandchildren. Her sister, Isabell Harris, followed her in death.

Though her earthly presence will be deeply missed, Eliza’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the kindness she freely shared, and the enduring love she planted in the hearts of all who knew her.