December 1999
Sister Betty Ivins Brother Clyde Wilkinson Sister Jewell Bryson Sister Eddie Gray Sister Mary Martin Brother Carl Norris
We were deeply saddened by the loss of our dear sister in Christ, Eddie Lou Gray on July 15, 1999, following an eleven year battle with cancer. At the same time we bow in thankfulness that she is free from her suffering;
She was one of the sweetest sisters we have ever known. Sister Lou was very faithful in attendance in spite of her illness, having been in the church service only a few days before she was called home to be with the Lord. Her courage in the face of adversity was an inspiration to the church and all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
Sister Eddie Lou was born on Oct. 1, 1938 in Grand Saline. She married Travis L. Gray on June 15, 1957 in Big Spring. She and Brother Gray joined the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church, Big Spring, TX on Feb. 29, 1976 and were baptized by Elder B. R. Howze.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Travis L. Gray; two sons, Troy and Dale, one daughter, Waydean; six grandchildren, one sister, Helen Ayers, all of Big Spring, one aunt and a number of nieces and nephews1, her church family and a host of friends.
Elders John Homer and Ronnie Hedges spoke words of comfort to the family and the large congregation at the service held in her memory at the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church. Brethren of the church served as pallbearers. She was laid to rest in Trinity Memorial Park to await that grand and glorious resurrection morning..
We wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Brother Gray, her children, grandchildren, sister and the rest of her family.
Be it resolved that we place a copy of this notice on our church record, and copies to Brother Gray and family, and a copy to The Banner of Love for publication.
Written by members of the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church
Sister Mary M. Martin was born Dec. 14, 1911 in Davis, OK to P. L. and Cora Mae Peterson Cottrell. She passed away at the age of 87 on April 22, 1999 in Davis, OK.
She was married to Marvin C. Martin, Oct. 31, 1927. She was preceded in death by her son, Bill C. Martin, three sisters, and six brothers. She is survived by two daughters, Joy Goodnight, Sulphur, OK and Betty Poole, Amarillo, TX, nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great- grandchildren.
Sister Martin joined Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in 1948. Her poor health kept her from attending church for several years prior to her death.
She was laid to rest at Green Hill Cemetery in Davis, OK following the funeral service.
Sister Martin was much loved by her family, and all who knew her and will be greatly missed. She lived her life in a good and godly fashion.
Maxine Martin
Dorothy Hampton
Elder Bill Huckaby, pastor
Carl Hampton, Clerk
Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church bows in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, who called our dear brother, Carl Mack Norris, home on July 19, 1999.
Brother Norris was born on March 13, 1912 in Eastland, Texas. On Sept. 26, 1993 he united with the Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church. He was a long time member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. July 21, 1999 at the Lowell-Time Chapel in Altus, OK with Elder H. O Ballard officiating.
Burial was in Eldorado, OK cemetery. He is survived by one daughter, Carla Shults and Allen of Enid; three stepdaughters, the Rev. Ila Mayes and Clay of Wichita Falls, TX, Pauline Gilnick of San Antonio, TX, El Denna Horton and Tommy of Grandbury, TX; two brothers, Buddy Norris and Margaret of Espanola, NM, Leonard Norris and Opal of Espanola, NM; three sisters, Nadine Coburn of Chilicothe, TX, Eudene Bolsinger of Mustang, OK, Ruth Freeman of Altas, OK; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and 35 step-grand and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four brothers, one sister and one stepson.
Brother Norris really enjoyed coming to church and came every time he could. We rejoice in knowing that he will no longer suffer the pain and afflictions of this world.
Elder H.O. Ballard, Mod. Anita Patton, C. C.
Rev. 14:13 “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord....”
One of the dear saints in Christ at the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church was suddenly called to her eternal home from a Tyler hospital on Sept. 14, 1999 after a brief illness.
Sister Betty Jane Myers was born on Nov. 23, 1926 in Amarillo, TX. During her marriage to Blake Ivins she lived, in several locations, including Houston, Kansas City and Dallas. After her husband passed away she moved to Tyler in 1992 to be near the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church, where she was a beloved member
She was also preceded in death by her eldest son, Ronald Blake Ivins. Her survivors include two daughters, Cherrel Rybolt of North Hampton, MA and Cindy Seafredo of Columbia, MO; a son, David Ivins of Kilgore, TX and six grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Frances Crawford of Tulsa, OK and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, 1999 at the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church with her beloved pastor, Elder Vernis Stanaland, officiating. At the request of Sister Ivins there was congregational singing of some of her favorite songs, “Amazing Grace,” “What a friend,” “How Lovely the Place,” and “It is Wall with my Soul.”
One of the most touching moments in the service occurred when Sister Ivins’ daughter, Cindy, beautifully led the congregation in the singing of “Walk with God.” The graveside service was conducted by Elder Clifford Gowens, pastor of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, at 3:00 p.m. at Crown Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas. Pallbearers were: David Ivins, Doug Dieter, Blake Seafredo, Ned Sibley, A. H. Holley and Ed McGee.
In her life, Sister Betty Ivins suffered much heartache, including a loss of a husband and a young. son, and endured many afflictions, such as open heart surgery, and macular degeneration which left her legally blind. However, she valued her independence and continued to live alone to be near her church which was the most important activity in her life.
Elder Stanaland characterized Sister Ivins as the great Shunammite woman in 11 kings, 4 after the death of her young son made haste to see the prophet Elisha and when he saw her and asked, “Is it well with thee?” Sister Irvins was a very faithful member of her church as she always found a church home among the Primitive Baptists wherever she lived.
She had a ready smile, pleasing countenance and always a good word of encouragement to her ministers. She was a kind, thoughtful and considerate person who generously supported the church in every way she could despite her physical handicap For example, at Tyler Church, she volunteered to call every church’ member whenever there was a serious illness or death in the church.
She richly enjoyed the preaching, singing, and every form of church fellowship. In fact, just one day before she became ill, she went with a group of church members to meet her pastor at the airport from his return trip to the Middle East.
We rest in the thought that Sister Ivins is basking in the very presence of her Savior and one day she will not be hindered to perfectly see Him in all His Glory. Job 19:26-27- “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shell stand in the latter day upon the earth, And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
Respectfully submitted by E. L. McGee of the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church
Odessa Primitive Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas is deeply saddened by the loss of Brother Clyde Wilkinson. Brother Clyde passed away on August 11, 1999 at the age of 61 years. He was born in Yazoo City, ‘Miss. on April 10, 1938.
Survivors include the mother of his children, Norma Wilkinson of Odessa; son, Donald Ray Wilkinson of Charleston, S.C.; daughters, Teresa Ann Wilkinson of Odessa, Janice Marie Wilkinson of Odessa and Judy Wright of Abilene,; adopted children, Jeannie, Rhonda, Julie, Lance and Gary; sister Katie Robinson of Oklahoma City, OK and 13 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Officiating were Elders Perry Ross and Troy Barrington
Brother Clyde Wilkinson was a faithful member of the Odessa Primitive Baptist Church, and a deacon for many years. Brother Wilkinson always said that the church was his true home, and where he felt most at ease. Our membership knew this to be true, for the doors on the church were never open that Brother Clyde was not in attendance.
He also spent many hours at the church when the doors were not open working to serve the .Lord. The church membership loved Brother Wilkinson and will feel a loss every time we gather that will not easily pass.. We can only take comfort in knowing he now has a home with the Lord and Savior.
Please pray for us and Brother Clyde’s family for the loss we feel will not easily be filled.
God in His infinite wisdom and tender mercy, has seen fit to move from our midst by death, our dear sister in Christ, Sister Jewell Bryson, who was a member of Union Primitive Baptist Church, Lamkin, TX. She joined by letter in July 1933.
After an extended illness, Sister Jewell passed away Nov. 11, 1999 at the Hamilton, Nursing Home, at the age of 93 years, six months, and 14 days. She was laid to rest in the Gentry Mill cemetery with Elders Paul McClain and Gerald Stanford officiating. We will all miss her so much and would not wish her back, knowing that our Lord is her eternal gain.
To know her was to love her. Her faithfulness to the church and it’s cause, and to her family shall ever remain in our memory.
Mt. Union Church wishes to send our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family. We wish that a copy of this be recorded on our church records, a copy sent to the family, and to The Banner of Love.
Written at the request of the church, Nov. 21, 1999.
Sister Kitty Register
Sister Janice McCullough