Help Mama Liz With Medical Expenses

Liz Brazelton, known as "Mama Liz," owned the Soul Ful Deli Depot in the Fairhope Chevron for over ten years, but last summer the new operators told her she had to go. She turned 71 in October– it was also closing day for the deli. Mama Liz and her son, Trevell, were working on reopening Soul Ful Deli in Mobile when she found out she had cancer. She's had several surgeries, but the cancer has spread throughout her body. She's in the hospital, and her sons are doing all they can for her. Folks are asking how to help, so William Bruce and I set up a GoFundMe as the easiest way for our community to donate and help out Mama Liz with medical bills and other expenses.

I told Mama Liz's story four years ago for Our Southern Souls and kept going back for lunch or to get a hug. She called my sons her babies and threatened to teach them how to cook because she knew I wasn't. It wasn't just me. She treated every customer like family.

Here's a bit of Mama Liz's story from Our Southern Souls.

"Cooking is a passion. It has never been a job. I have been a nurse, a bail bondsman, and worked at convenience stores. Those were jobs and I trained my kids to work. I go to the casino and play Bingo. I once won $56,000 and gave most of it away. My mama always told me I would never be rich because I would give it all away. She was right. When I get something and can bless someone, it is an answered prayer. Lord let me help someone. The joy is not the money, it’s what money can do. If I can pay a bill and keep you from worrying, that is what I am going to do. God puts people in your path to keep you moving.

The name is Soulful Deli. God blesses you to bless someone else. I pray for people who come through here. People cry on my shoulder and I cry with them. You don’t have to be a minister to be in the ministry. People just need a hug, a smile, or a kind word. I give out all of that with my food and my customers give it right back.”

Here's the link her the full story: https://oursouthernsouls.com/i-pray-over-the-food-i-cook-every-day/

Lynn Oldshue

"Mama Liz" is the lady who served us all those fabulous lunches with that thousand-watt smile at the Soulful Deli in the Fairhope Chevron convenience store at the corner of Nichols and Greeno. When the new Atlanta operators of the store booted Miss Liz out of the store, the family lost their only source of income. Miss Liz's son, a very responsible young man, is now struggling to pay his mother's expenses. Please help if you can. One hundred percent of all funds will go to help with these expenses. Of all the really good and sincere people I have ever known in my 78 years, Miss Liz would be right at the top. Please help her family if you can.

William Bruce