LIVING HISTORY
37
what wealthy black woman, who bought
it and hired nurses to care for older blacks
in the area.” Hobson said. Upon her death,
it was willed to her caretakers and then
passed on to the county.
During this time, blacks were not allowed
in the white hospital, so the (Agape
center) was the alternative for care, known
as St. Lucie County Welfare Home. Hurston
was in and out of the home the two years
leading up to her death.
“After research, we found paperwork
that confirmed Zora lived there for a year
and died of a stroke there,” Harrell said.
“As was customary, she was brought to the
hospital and officially pronounced there,
but she did pass in the house.”
The foundation is working to create a
multi-purpose center that would include a
space for art, reading, community events
and an outdoor space to include a garden
and seating area. The building would become
an enrichment center that includes a
historical exhibit on Hurston.
The previous director of the Agape Senior
Recreation Center, Brenda Cooper, had
already created a small exhibit in honor of
Hurston. In that exhibit, she was able to
curate items from the building’s time as a
nursing home. Those items, among other
things, include original bedpans, trays, and >>
Zeta Phi Beta chapter president, Lashonda Henderson speaks alongside committee member,
Dianne Williams-Johnson on the importance of Hurston’s lifeworks and her inspiration.
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