Almeda K. Pryor – Donora

Mrs. Almeda Pryor is the daughter of the late Dallas and Ada McCoy Keith of Piedmont, Ala. Almeda was born on Jan. 4, 1926, in Sagamore, Pa. She went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 5, 2021. Almeda had a gift when it came to playing the piano and singing. She started playing the piano at the age of 8 in her home. She was too small to get on the piano stool, but her father Dallas was always there to assist her. At the age of 12, she began playing for Friendship Baptist Church in West Elizabeth. At the age of 16, she had to drop out of school to help take care of the family home after the passing of her mother. She was married to the late David D. Pryor Sr. and is the mother of many by birth and by love. She leaves to cherish in memory her children, Phyllis Pryor of San Diego, Calif., Kim Crane of White Oak, Jerome Pryor Sr. of Donora, Anthony Marshall of McKeesport, Minister Gina Huggins (Deacon Robert Huggins) of Donora, Brenda Johnson of California, Pa., and Marshal Mickel of Donora. She was preceded in death by brothers, Raymond Keith, Robert Keith, Dallas Keith Jr., John Keith, Simon Keith and R.C. Keith; sisters, Duffy Keith and Mildred Keith; and her children, David Pryor Jr. and Cynthia Pryor-Crews. In her 40s, she returned to school and received her GED and took courses at a community college. After successful completion of courses, she was employed by Community Action as a teacher’s aide for the Head Start program. Two years later, she moved into the position of Citizens Participation Worker. She then took and passed the Civil Service exam and began her employment with the Department of Public Welfare as an Income Maintenance Worker. She was one of the first individuals to work in the Ringgold School District as a foster grandparent through the Foster Grandparent program, where she retired from the position in 2013 after 15 years of service. In 1971, Almeda formed the gospel choir at California University, known as Young, Gifted and Black Gospel Choir. The young people were homesick for their home churches and were delighted to sing. In 2018, the choir named a scholarship in her honor. At the ceremony, Almeda was able to present the first scholarship recipients. Because of her love for God and the gift he placed in Almeda, she had been blessed to play for numerous churches in the Mon Valley community. She had also played for various community choirs where she was blessed to have television appearances. The “Singing Cousins” would travel to various churches in the community in the trusty “White Station Wagon.” Almeda was more than the matriarch of the family, she was the gem of the family, making each one feel like her favorite. She leaves to cherish her memory 32 favorite grandchildren; 62 favorite great-grandchildren; and 11 favorite great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Almeda always opened her heart and home to help anyone in need. Alameda’s encouragement and nurturing spirit will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Family and friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021, at St. Paul Baptist Church, 53 S. McKean Ave., Donora, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021. Eulogy will be given by Pastor Earlene Coleman, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, McKeesport. Lee A. Haney Sr. is the Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Donora. The service will be followed by interment in the Mon Valley Memorial Park, Donora. Final celebrations are entrusted to MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, PA 15063, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafuneralhome.com. Guests are asked to obey social distancing guidelines and personal protection guidelines in order to be in compliant with COVID-19 restrictions.