Matriach of A Nubian Notion, Inc. family dies at 96

Elva Lee Abdal-Khallaq (Collins), the youngest and last surviving of 13 and mother of 10, grandmother of 26 and great-grandmother of 21, died at 96. She was pre-deceased by her husband Malik A. Abdal-Khallaq. She is survived by sons Abu (Jamila), Sharif (Lesley), Mustafa and Jacob (Rose), and daughters Saafa (Richard), Jumaada (Robert), Hamida, Regina (Devon), Yvette and Yvonne.

Elva was born in Baldwin, La. Her family moved to Houston, Texas and she graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School. Soon after, she married her high school sweetheart, Malik. The young couple and their first five children moved to Boston where another five children were born.

While Elva played a vital role in the family business and community activities, her love for children was her passion and she was mother to many. From the YMCA Clarendon Street Day Care to Crispus Attucks Children’s Center to St. Joseph’s Community School, she taught and loved many generations in Boston. She earned an Early Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard University and attended the Million Women March with four generations of her family. She was a member of the Roxbury Tai-chi Academy and past treasurer for the Goldenaires at the Freedom House.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Mission Church) 1545 Tremont St., Roxbury Crossing 02120. Visiting with the family at 9 a.m. Funeral Mass begins at 10 a.m. Burial at Forest Hills Cemetery.

To post sympathy messages, visit www.DavisFuneralHomeBoston.com.

+ Add Comment

Nov 29 7:30am by Patricia Biles (formerly Patricia Walters) [74.236.73.179]
I am a former resident of Boston (Roxbury-Dorchester) now living in Florida. Although I never met the mother, I did know the father and a couple of the sons. I would get my hair cut at the barber shop and patronized a Nubian Notion. I am extending my expressions of sympathy for the family and rejoicing and praise at the long and wonderful life that she lived. May God bless you all.

Nov 28 9:44am by Elaine Daniels o Lauderhill, FL formerly of Boston, MA [66.176.128.3]

What an Entrepreneurial and Inspiration to Black Women in Business and just the community in general Mrs. Abdal- Khallags. It was at Nubian Notion where I first learned of the great black artist such as t Paul Goodnight and other gifted Black Boston Artists. When I moved to Boston, Ma in 1968 a Nubian Notion was the only place to purchase items of African descent. There were 3 locations Dudley Station (Roxbury), Massachusetts Avenue (Cambridge) and later t Roxbury Crossing/@ Ruggles Street MBTA Station

Written by Elaine Daniels of Lauderhill, FL