June
Sister Mildred Hardcastle Sister Doris Morgan Sister Martha Eva [Horner] Isham Sister Jessie Helton Sister Emma Christine Stolz Sister Bertha L. West Sister Nobie Phipps Sister Vada Woodell Sister Geneva Reed Brother Harry D. Rogers, Jr.
Again, Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church is saddened by the loss of a dear member, Sister Mildred Hardcastle. She was baptized by Elder James E. Robertson, September 18, 1983, into the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church. She had been a faithful member, always attending church and doing all she could as long as her health held up. Her infirmities will no longer keep her from praising the Lord, for January 3, 2001, in the Hillview Manor Rest Home, she passed this world of sin and sorrow.
She married Dub Hardcastle on October 12, 1946 at Lampasas, Texas. She was a housewife and mother.
Survivors are her husband, Dub Hardcastle of Goldthwaitae, a daughter, Sheila Ulvog of Austin, a son, Jud Hardcastle of Dallas, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one sister, Eva Spinks of Mullin.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001 at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist with Elder Archie Robertson officiating. Interment was in the Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mills County, Texas.
Serving as pall-bearers were: Carroll Bunting, Eddie Pafford, K. C. Burton, Kermit Koen, Doyle Head, and Leland Kirby. Honorary pall-bearers were Cecil Huckabee and Rickie Stevens.
Written by request of the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church.
Vivian Wiedebusch
The Primitive Baptist Church of Portales, NM has lost a long time member, Sister Doris Morgan.
Sister Doris passed away Jan. 20, 2001 at Sunbridge Retirement Center at Raton, NM. She was born October 21, 1921 at O'Donnell, TX to Illa and R.C. Rodes. Sister Doris had been a faithful member of the Portales Church until ill health had forced she and Richard to move to Raton to be near their daughter.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Richard of Baton, one son and daughter-in-law, Jimmie and Lou Morgan of Portales; one daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Butch McGowen of Raton, NM; two brothers, one sister, eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held in Wheeler's Mortuary Chapel in Portales with Elder Wayne Venable officiating.
Sister Betty Coleman
God in His infinite wisdom and tender mercy, has seen fit to remove from our midst by death, our dear Sister in Christ, Sister Martha Eva [Horner] Isham. She was a member of Union Primitive Baptist Church in Lamkin, Tx, having joined Oct. 21, 1990, by letter from Fairview Primitive Baptist Church, San Angelo, TX.
Sister Martha, 101 years of age, was called home Dec. 27, 2000, after an extended illness. She was laid to rest Dec. 29 in Oakwood Cemetery, Comanche, TX beside her beloved husband, Elder Elmer Isham. Elder Paul McClain and Elder Harold Horn officiated.
Sister Martha has been a blessing and great inspiration to all of us. We will truly miss her. To know Sister Martha was to love her. She was a shining example of a true Christian and a true Mother in Israel. Although she was not able the last few years to attend services, we felt her love and prayers.
Sister Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Elmer Isham, a son, Jack Dalton Isham, son and daughter-in-law, J.N. and Frances Isham, two sisters and four brothers.
Survivors are a daughter and son-in-law, Grace and James Lacy; daughter-in-law, Nina Isham; eleven grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
We feel the grief of her sweet family and send our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to all the bereaved.
Be it resolved we place a copy of this on our church records, send a copy to the family, and send a copy to the Banner of Love.
This done while in conference, Jan. 21, 2001
Union Primitive Baptist Church
Lamkin, Texas
Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doeth safely trust her...Strength and honor are her clothing...She opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness...Her children arise up and call her blessed...Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Truly Sister Jessie Helton was a virtuous woman. She lived a life of love and devotion to the Lord, to her family, to her church and to the Lord's people. By her example she taught the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet and to be keepers at home.
The joy of the Lord was her strength as she faced the diagnosis of cancer. That joy continued to be her strength to the end. As her days grew to an end, she frequently testified of visits by the Lord and the angels.
We at Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas greatly miss Sister Helton's joyful, loving countenance and encouragement. She quietly passed from this earth unto her Heavenly Father's presence, November 30, 2000 with her sister and her children gathered around about her.
Survivors include her son and wife, Robert and Virginia Helton, her sister and our dear sister Norma Osmer, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sister Helton and her husband, Brother Floyd Helton, were charter members of Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church. Brother Helton preceded her in death in 1986 She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sister Gertrude Terrell.
This Resolution of Respect was written by request of the Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church, Lake Worth, TX with one copy to be sent to the family, one to The Banner of Love and one copy placed in the church records.
Committee: Sisters Sandy Sewell, Sarah Walker, Jane Walker
We, the Littlefield Primitive Baptist Church have been saddened by the passing of one of our precious sisters, Sister Nobie Phipps, who passed from this life on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at Bender Terrace Nursing Home in Lubbock, Texas. Burial was in Earth Memorial Cemetery under direction of Parsons-Ellis Funeral Home of Earth, Texas.
Services for Sister Nobie Phipps were held at The First Baptist Church in Earth, Texas at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001. Officiating were Rev. Bobby Broyles and Elder George Johnson.
Sister Nobie Phipps was born, April 30, 1918 in Hall County, TX. She married Brother J. D. Phipps on Jan. 15, 1939. They moved to Earth, TX in 1944 from Wellington, TX Sister Nobie joined the Littlefield Primitive Baptist Church on June 26, 1994. Survivors include, her husband; her son, Bob of Dimmitt, TX; two daughters, Fran McCarty of Earth, TX and Kaye Crawford of Lubbock, TX; two sisters, Lois Stinner of Childress and Jo Zellner of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a brother, J.L. Brooks of Fort Myers, Fla.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Sister Nobie will be greatly missed by all who knew her and we pray that our Lord will continue to bless and watch over her family and loved ones she left behind for a short while, awaiting the time of a reunion where there will be no more farewells; where we will all be joined together with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Littlefield Primitive Baptist Church, Littlefield, TX
Elder Cleveland Bass, Pastor
Br. Scott Bass, Church Clerk
The First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, TX submits this resolution of respect for our departed sister in Christ, Sister Christine Stolz. Sister Christine died on September 26 in Dallas, following a valiant battle with cancer. Christine was born in Point, TX on Nov. 9, 1910, and passed from this life to be with her Lord at the age of 89 years. She was widowed three times prior to her death, and is survived by her husband, Eugene Stolz, of Dallas. She was a long time member of the Dallas Church, and dearly loved attending services, which she did regularly except for the last few months of her life. She was a cheerful, positive woman who never complained about her circumstances. She had a ready smile for all who knew her, and her laugh was truly infectious.
Her three children, Norma Jean Sims, Mary Beth Grayson, and Jessie Don Ivey preceded Sister Christine in death. She is survived by her husband, Gene; a sister, Ella Mae Knowles, eight grandchildren: Michael, Daniel, and Glenn Murphy; Melinda McCall; Gail and Jackie Ivy; Alan and Ronnie Sims; 19 great-grand-children, and eleven great-great-grandchildren. Sister Christine's life was full and as one of much love for her natural and Church families.
Funeral services were conducted at the First Primitive Baptist church, with interment at Lone Star Cemetery at Point, Texas. Her pastor, Elder Clifford Gowens, conducted the services. We, the members of the First Church, bow in humble submission to the Lord's will in the passing of this sweet sister in Christ.
Her family and the church members shall miss her greatly. But, we have that precious assurance that she is enjoying the promises of an eternal home, not made with hands, where she has found perfect peace and joy in the presence of her Lord, Jesus Christ.
Written at the request of the First Primitive Baptist Church while in conference, Sunday, October 8, 2000.
Brother Bruce Coates
Church Clerk
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalms 116:15. Our Heavenly Father called our dear sister, Bertha L. Buchanan West home to be with Him on December 13, 2000. She was born on January 1, 1910 to William and Nancy Buchanan in Putnam, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. "Bill" West, and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Greer, one sister, Xenia Williams of Conroe, TX, two grandchildren, Wm. Lance Greer and family of Conroe, and Jena M. Greer of Mesa, AZ. and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held in Midland at Fairview Cemetery at twelve noon on December 16, 2000 with Lance Greer officiating and Elder Troy Barrington assisting.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8. Sister Bertha was a woman who truly loved her family. She helped to raise her grandchildren, Jena and Lance. She was well loved by all who knew her. She had a great sense of humor that helped her and those she loved face life with a smile.
Sister Bertha and her husband were baptized by Elder Casey at Cisco, TX in 1955 and joined the Midland Church in 1963. She always enjoyed attending church and was particularly fond of our annual "Singing."
All of her afflictions that she suffered in her last days have now been eased and she is basking in the sunlight with her Lord and Savior. We, at the Midland Church will miss her sweet voice and look forward to that day when we will join her in singing eternal praises to our Lord.
Written at the request of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church while in regular conference January 4, 2001. One copy will be sent to her family, one copy to The Banner of Love and one copy for the Church's permanent records.
Lovingly written by:
Sister Irene Parr, Sister Thomasine Crawford and Sister Martha Barrington.
The Abilene, TX Primitive Baptist Church writes this resolution of respect in the passing of our dear beloved sister, Vada Woodell. Sister Vada was 97 years of age when it was the will of the Lord to call her home.
She was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Midland, TX, following services at the Abilene Primitive Baptist Church directed by her pastor, Elder Travis Brown.
Sister Vada was an accomplished artist and painted hundreds of landscapes that she recalled from her life and travels. She was a member of the Palette Club nd Porcelain Art Club in Midland during a 40 year residence there. Before she died she gave every member of the Abilene Church at least one of her precious paintings and thus left a beautiful remembrance of her framed in the homes of her brothers and sisters in Christ who loved her.
She had moved to Fort Worth from Abilene to be near her daughter, and passed away at a local nursing home. She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter. She departed this earth on October 20, 2000 and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
These Resolutions of Respect written at the direction of and the authority of the Abilene Primitive Baptist Church.
Elder Travis Brown, Moderator
Brother Ron Hale,
Church Clerk
The First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas submits this resolution of respect for our beloved sister in Christ, Geneva Reed, who passed away November 15, 2000. Sister Geneva was a devoted member of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, where she attended services regularly. She had a great love for her Lord, and high regard for His Church and its members.
Sister Geneva was born June 20, 1931 in Afton, Texas. She was married to Ollie Joe Reed for almost 51 years, and Brother Ollie preceded her in death in May, 1999. She was the daughter of Brother and Sister Aubrey Ritchie, both deceased. She is survived by two sons, Joe Reed and Allen Reed, and daughters-in-law, Barbara and Paula; three daughters, Patricia Arter and her husband, Weldon; Elizabeth Pullen and her husband, Bob; and Waneta Tardy and her husband, Mark. Also, she is survived by a brother, Weldon Ritchie; two sisters, Fleta Parker and Nahwana Nowell; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Her family, and we, the members of her church, and all feel a great loss and miss her very much. We will always remember her friendliness, quiet determination, and her strong spirit. Funeral services were conducted on November 18, 2000 by her pastor, Elder Clifford Gowens of the First Primitive Baptist Church at the Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville, TX. There was congregational singing, something that both Sister Geneva and Brother Ollie, especially enjoyed. Interment was in Little Bethel Memorial Park in Duncanville.
The First Primitive Baptist Church humbly submits to the Lord's will in the calling home of our dear sister. Sister Geneva had an unwavering faith and trust in her Lord Jesus Christ. We extend our sincere sympathy to her family and friends, and pray that we all may be reconciled to God's will.
Written at the request of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, while in conference on Sunday, December 10, 2000.
Bruce Coates, Church Clerk
Brother Harry D. Rodgers, Jr., 84, was called home to be with our Lord on Wednesday at a local hospital. Services were held at Lawton, OK by Rev. Eli Betancourt, pastor of Church of God and Elder Norman Jones, Primitive Baptist Church.
He married Madge Dean on September 1, 1940. She passed away March 8, 1996. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a faithful member as long as he was able to attend church.
Survivors include a son, Michael D. Rodgers, Sr. of New Jersey; two daughters, Elizabeth King, Salem, Oregon and Deborah Parks of Odessa, TX; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Elder Norman Jones, Pastor- Moderator
Sister Ona Walker, C. C.