95 years young and still singing

Monessen’s Hazel Brock Rone is the only original, surviving member of Mount Calvary’s gospel chorus

By the MVI

The only surviving original member of one of the oldest church gospel choirs in the Mon Valley celebrated her 95th birthday Wednesday.
Hazel Brock Rone, whom her family describes as one of “Monessen’s most loved, respected and cherished citizens,” turned 95 with a birthday cake in her honor.
She has lived in Monessen since a very young age. After getting married, Hazel lived on Morgan Avenue, along with her husband, the late Thomas Rone.
The family then moved to McKee Avenue, where she has lived in the same home for the past 52 years.
The couple graduated from Monessen High School and together raised nine children, who also graduated from MHS and went on to higher levels of learning to pursue their careers. Their children are: Michele Cooper, Terri Pendleton and Thomas Rone, all of Pittsburgh; Jo Ann Rone-Tyree and Valerie Osborne, both of Monessen; Kevin Rone of Pittsburgh; the late Toni Johnson, who lived in Clarksville, Tenn.; Carla Crenshaw of Monessen; and Carlton Rone of Germany.
She has 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who affectionately call her “Ma Ma.”
Hazel says her key to a long life has been her love of God and family. She is a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Monessen where is she has held various positions and presently remains the only living original member of the Calvary Gospel chorus — singing for 72 years.
The chorus was organized in 1949 by the late Pinkie Parker, wife of the late Rev. William Parker, a former pastor of the church. The membership then was 22 female and male voices whose powerful and harmonious voices could be heard every Sunday morning at 8:45 a.m. on radio station WESA.
Her love of children and gentle spirit led her to work at Monessen High School and SPHS Child Care Services, “where she gained the love of so many children in the Valley, now grown adults who have never forgotten her wise nurturing way and also lovingly call her Ma Ma,” her family said.
Hazel enjoys being surrounded by family, loves listening to all genres of music and still likes to dance.
An excellent cook and baker, her family says she is known for “delicious sweet potato and apple pies, and her amazing cornbread stuffing.”