Chosen to Serve: THE LEGACY OF ALBERTA BRANNON of Alberta's Tea Room - Barbara Duff-brannon

Synopsis: Alberta Brannon, my mother-in-law, was the rock and inspiration of our family. She was a black entrepreneur who owned a bakery shop with her husband, James, in the 1940s. In the 1950s, she became a sought-after caterer, serving Oklahoma's elite, including Senator Robert S. Kerr and even U.S. President John F. Kennedy during his 1961 campaign tour.

Alberta opened Alberta's Tea Room in 1968, which was the most prestigious and fabulous black owned restaurant in the state of Oklahoma. It became renowned for its homemade offerings, including pastries, rolls, loaf bread, soups, chicken tetrazzini, and more. She served celebrities such as James Earl Jones, Phyllis Diller, Rosa Parks and many more. She also served US President George H. Bush during a luncheon at The Daily Oklahoman.

Beyond her culinary accomplishments, Alberta was known for her deep faith in God and her love for His people. She was a generous soul whose legacy lives on through the Oklahoma Foundation's scholarship program, which supports young individuals pursuing careers in the culinary arts. Her remarkable story is proudly displayed at the Oklahoma History Center.

I hope to continue sharing her legacy through the pages of this book.

Autobiography: My name is Barbara Brannon. I'm 73 years young and have been married to my husband, Larry Brannon, for 52 years. We have two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-love, and six wonderful grandchildren. I served for sixteen years on the Foster Care Review Board, providing referrals to the court to support delicate decisions regarding children in the foster care system. For eight years, I volunteered with the government-organized Mother to Mother program, mentoring young mothers. I also participated for several years in the Kairos Women's Prison Ministry, where I had the opportunity to teach inmates about developing a daily relationship with Jesus Christ.