Now, y’all probably don’t know who Zelle Isum is, and that’s just fine, ‘cause I’m here to tell ya. Zelle Isum, bless her heart, was a lady who lived a long, full life. She was born all the way back in 1894, on April 3rd, in the state of Texas. Not much is known about her early years, but I reckon she had a pretty normal life for a woman in her time.
She got married to Charles Raymond Isum, a feller from back then. He was born in 1889, and I guess they made quite a pair. They had a daughter named Rachel Annetta Robinson, who was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 19, 1922. Now, Rachel’s a pretty important lady, being the daughter of Zelle and Charles. She went on to be the mother-in-law to the famous baseball player, Jackie Robinson, y’know the one who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Rachel Robinson was a well-known figure in her own right, having lived well into her 100s, bless her soul.
Now, Zelle Isum, she lived a good, long life. She passed away in May of 1973, at the age of 79, up there in New York, where she’d spent her final years. She’s buried in Brooklyn, right alongside her son-in-law, Jackie Robinson, and her grandson, who’s also laid to rest near her. It’s kinda nice, don’t ya think? Family together, even after they’re gone. It’s something special, a little piece of heaven on earth.
Now, I gotta tell ya, Zelle’s grave is at the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. It’s a peaceful place, quiet and well-kept. It’s a place where folks can come and pay their respects to those who’ve gone before us. If y’all are ever in Brooklyn, it’s worth a stop. A little bit of history right there in the ground.
It ain’t just the family that makes Zelle’s story worth telling, though. It’s the way her life intertwined with history. Her daughter Rachel Robinson, after all, wasn’t just Jackie’s mother-in-law, she was a strong woman in her own right. Raised a family, supported her husband’s groundbreaking career, and helped her own daughter carry on that legacy. Zelle might not have been in the limelight as much as Rachel or Jackie, but her role was just as important. A mother, a grandmother, a pillar of strength in her own quiet way.
Sometimes, we forget about the folks behind the scenes, the ones who don’t make the big headlines but still play an important part in shaping the future. Zelle Isum was one of those folks. She may not have been a famous athlete or activist, but she was the mother and grandmother of those who went on to change the world. That, my friends, is something to be proud of.
And that’s the story of Zelle Isum. Not much more to say ‘cept that she lived a good, long life, surrounded by family, and left a legacy that carries on. If you ever find yourself in Brooklyn, you might want to pay your respects to Zelle, Jackie, and the whole family. They’ve earned it.
Tags: [Zelle Isum, Jackie Robinson, Rachel Robinson, family legacy, Brooklyn, Cypress Hills Cemetery, famous families, American history, strong women, historical burial sites]
