Kenemassa K. Jordan

Kenemassa K. Jordan lovingly known as Nancy K. Urey ~ July 5, 1930 – March 22, 2021 ~

Nancy was called to her rest on the morning of March 22, 2021 at her home in Framingham, Massachusetts. Our beloved mother, grandma, aunty, sister, cousin, and friend was born on July 5, 1930 in the kingdom of Bopolu in the county of Gbarpolu of Liberia, West Africa. She was the Great Grand-daughter of King Sao Boso who led the Condo Confederacy in the early 19th Century. It was King Sao Boso, whose swift intervention, Pan-African spirit (rare at the time), and decisive action saved the fledgling colony of freed slaves from the United States of America who had been resettled on the West African coast. The settlers were engaged in a war with indigenous tribes that had sold them land, but wanted the land to be returned to them. The king adjudicated the matter in favor of the settlers and promised to use his army to provide them protection, thus saving the colony that was to become the Republic of Liberia on July 26, 1847.

The deceased is part of Liberian royalty and that is how she carried herself, with grace and dignity. She had a smile that would light up the room. She was born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. David Kangah of Bopolu in the county of Gbarpolu, but spent nearly her entire life in Harrisburg, Liberia, Montserrado County with first cousin, the late Rev James E. Bass, Sr. and his wife the late Irene V. Bass, who raised and educated her. She had a very profound influence on the children of Reverend James and Irene, who would refer to their father as "Uncle James" because that was how Nancy called him. Her early education was at the Harrisburg and White Plains and Paynesville Elementary schools and later continued at Bromley Mission. She later married Charles Urey of Harrisburg, which union was blessed with fourteen (14) children, seven (7) of which predeceased her. She was a faithful member of the St. John United Methodist Church where she served in various roles with distinction. She was also a faithful member of three fraternities which were Sisters of the Mysterious Ten (SMT), Household of Ruth and ROGT among others.

In 1993, she came to the US seeking refuge from the Liberian civil war and settled in Lowell, Massachusetts. Later on, she moved to Natick then Framingham Massachusetts. Her new home enabled her to get a job to provide support to her children who remained in refugee camps in various African countries. She did not rest until she was able to bring over two (2) daughters and four 4 grandchildren to the US. She was a hard worker, but finally was able to retire from the Justice Resource Institute after working there for 10 years. She was a faithful member of the Framingham Centre Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where she devoted her life to serving and learning more about Jesus each day. Some of her hobbies included, knitting, baking, cooking African food and spending time with family.

She is survived by six (6) children, Charles Urey Jr., Walter Urey, Clemetine Urey, Christopher Urey and and Christine Urey Dassama. Son in law Mousa A. Dassama Jr., and former son in law Robert P. Massey. She also leaves to mourn twenty-two (22) grandchildren and twenty-four (24) great-grandchildren. Her sisters Musu Zinnah Williams, Barbie Zinnah Stewart, Rhoda Odiah, Elthon Gibson, and Otterlee Diggs. Her brothers Eddison Zinnah, Bambu Zinnah, Pryde Bass, Dogba Bass, James Bass Jr., Theo Bass, Romeo Bass, and Perry Eddington. Her nieces Rose Dunbar, Florence Yancy, Miatta Smith, Barbie Zinnah White, Fatima Zinnah, Tiny Urey, Amanda Urey, Charlotte Broyles, and Wede Eddington. Her nephews Winston Urey, Richelieu Urey, Randolph Urey and a host of relatives and friends. May her soul rest in peace.

Those wishing to view Nancy's services please use this link at 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 11th: https://my.gather.app/remember/kenemassa-jordan