The Life of Michael Motley
Michael Elliott Motley, 72, of Wallingford, PA, husband of Diana Buckley-Motley, passed on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Born in Philadelphia, PA on December 5, 1942, he was the son of the late Florine Bradman Motley and Moses E. Motley.
Outgoing and always friendly, Michael was always proud to say that he grew up in North Philadelphia. He always spoke and joked of the many good neighbors and good times had by all and his love of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He attended Kenderton Elementary School, Cooke Junior High School and West Philadelphia High School, the latter of which he graduated from in 1960. Upon graduation, he attended Lincoln University in Lincoln University, PA. After he left Lincoln, he joined the United States Army. He served in combat in Vietnam and traveled in Southeast Asia. He also served for two years in Germany where he was able to travel throughout Europe. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Michael returned to the United States and enrolled in an X-ray technology program. In November 1976, he married Diana Buckley-Motley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by Bell Atlantic/Verizon where he remained for thirty-seven years. In this job, he fought for equal employment through his labor union. In 2006 he retired.
Over the years Michael was very active in his community. As a member of Christ Church in Media he led church fishing trips and coordinated the church garden which donated crops to the less fortunate. In 1987 he created his own skincare company, Makamina, which was named for his 2 children. In addition, Michael was a lifelong advocate for social justice. As President of the Media Branch of the NAACP he fought for equal inclusion and treatment of people of color in the local schools. Michael was a member of Widow’s Son Number Four Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia where he served as a past Worshipal Master.
A loving husband, father, brother, son and community leader, he is survived by his wife Diana Buckley-Motley; his two children Makese Motley and Kwamina Motley; his brother Charles Motley Sr.; his sister Tamra Motley-Willis and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Outgoing and always friendly, Michael was always proud to say that he grew up in North Philadelphia. He always spoke and joked of the many good neighbors and good times had by all and his love of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He attended Kenderton Elementary School, Cooke Junior High School and West Philadelphia High School, the latter of which he graduated from in 1960. Upon graduation, he attended Lincoln University in Lincoln University, PA. After he left Lincoln, he joined the United States Army. He served in combat in Vietnam and traveled in Southeast Asia. He also served for two years in Germany where he was able to travel throughout Europe. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Michael returned to the United States and enrolled in an X-ray technology program. In November 1976, he married Diana Buckley-Motley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by Bell Atlantic/Verizon where he remained for thirty-seven years. In this job, he fought for equal employment through his labor union. In 2006 he retired.
Over the years Michael was very active in his community. As a member of Christ Church in Media he led church fishing trips and coordinated the church garden which donated crops to the less fortunate. In 1987 he created his own skincare company, Makamina, which was named for his 2 children. In addition, Michael was a lifelong advocate for social justice. As President of the Media Branch of the NAACP he fought for equal inclusion and treatment of people of color in the local schools. Michael was a member of Widow’s Son Number Four Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia where he served as a past Worshipal Master.
A loving husband, father, brother, son and community leader, he is survived by his wife Diana Buckley-Motley; his two children Makese Motley and Kwamina Motley; his brother Charles Motley Sr.; his sister Tamra Motley-Willis and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.