March
SISTER EULA ROBERTSON HAZEL ALICE GATES BROTHER RAY HENDRICKSON SISTER RUTH THOMAS SISTER BEULAH [O'MARY] McWHIRTE
God, in His infinite wisdom and tender mercy, has seen fit to remove from our midst by death, our dear sister in Christ, Sister Eula Robertson. She was a member of Union Primitive Baptist Church, Lamkin, Texas, having joined by statement, Feb. 18, 1990, from Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church, Comanche, TX
After an extended illness, Sister Eula passed away Thursday, April 16, 2001, in the Goodall Witcher Medical Center, Clifton, Texas at the age of 96 years. She was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Shuford Robertson, with Elder Paul Mcclain, officiating.
Sister Eula is survived by her son, Donald Robertson, and wife, Peggy of Clifton, TX, one grandson, Brian Robertson and wife, Lisa, one granddaughter, Lisa Sanchez and husband, J. R., two great-grandchildren, Lauren Roberts and Evan Roberts. She was preceded in death by two brothers, A. T. Perry and M. E. Perry; two sisters, Edith Holmes and Margaret Sadberry, and one grandson, Ronnie Robertson in 1965.
To know Sister Eula was to love her. Not only was she a sister in Christ, she was a sister in life, having known her for over 60 years. She was truly a mother in Israel and a great inspiration to all. Her faithfulness to the church and its cause, and to her family shall ever remain in our memories.
We will truly miss her, but we know that our loss is her eternal gain. We desire a copy of this resolution be sent to the family, a copy placed in our church records, and a copy sent to the Banner of Love for publication.
This done while in conference, Sunday, May 20, 2001.
Committee: Sisters Kitty Register and Janice McCullough
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Sister Hazel Alice Gates passed from this natural life on Jan. 2, 2001 at the age of 99 years, having been born July 27, 1901 in Mushiem, Texas. Sister Hazel Alice Gates joined Cottonwood Primitive Baptist Church at an association held at Tulia, TX in 1940. Sister Hazel joined Bay Haven Primitive Baptist Church on Jan. 7, 1945, then joined Grace Primitive
Baptist Church on July 21, 1991.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard A. Gates. She is survived by her daughter, Patsy Gates Kimbrough of Houston; two sons, Marvin "Ed" Edward Gates of Lufkin, and James "Jim" Stanley Gates of Salinas, CA.; one sister, Florence Powell of Shallowater; 11 Grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Sister Hazel's health would not let her attend church as she would desire. There is no question that Sister Hazel believed the beautiful doctrine of the Lord and loved to be assembled with the great household of faith. Such a gift will be missed. We shared the grief of the family at her loss, but would not wish her back, for we know that she is at rest next to our Savior.
One day her body will be raised incorruptible, reunited with that spirit at which time we all will be joined in perfect praise with her to the Lord. Somehow we look forward to the time of that great reunion with her and all who have gone before. Elder Hulan Bass of Lockhart, Texas, a minister for whom she had a high regard, conducted the services and she was laid to rest at Hitchock, Texas.
Bobby Moseley, Church clerk
Grace Primitive Baptist
Church, Houston, Texas
God in His infinite wisdom, has called home a most beloved member of Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Brother Ray Hendrickson.
Brother Ray attended schools in Texas before coming to California. He served in the Navy during World War II. On July 31, 1948 he married Wanda Faye Ward. They both joined Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Feb. 1952. To this union two children were born, Melba Joanne and Lloyd Ray.
Sister Wanda passed away from this life to be with her Lord, August 16, 1979. In January 1983, Brother Ray married Wilma Lois Lawhorn. Sister Lois moved her membership to Little Hope church in 1992. Sister Lois preceded Brother Ray in death in August 1999.
Left to mourn Brother Ray's passing is daughter, Melba Joanne McHaney and son, Loyd Ray Hendrickson of Madera, CA; sisters, Elizabeth Hendrickson of Madera, CA, Melba Boyd of Stockton, CA and Mattie Ruth Montgomery of Fresno, CA; two stepchildren, Emma Jean Parker and Elvis Lawhorn; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and four step great-grandchildren.
Brother Ray was a faithful member of Little Hope Church. Although, he lived some distance from the church, he was regular in attendance. In his own quiet way, Brother Ray was always helping around the church. Surely, Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, his family and all that knew him will miss him.
May God's love and tender mercy help Brother Ray's family to be reconciled to his passing. May we all be comforted and be thankful for the time Brother Ray was with us.
Humbly submitted by
Little Hope Primitive Baptist
Church, Madera, California
Elder D. A. Layne, Pastor
Brother Harold Ryan, Clerk
SISTER BEULAH [O'MARY] McWHIRTER
Hampton Primitive Baptist Church bows in humble submission, to the Lord calling home Sister Beulah [O'Mary] McWhirter, at the age of 91 years, three months, 13 days. Sister Beulah was a faithful member, a true Mother of Israel, [the natural mother of this writer], and a good example to the younger women in the church. Sister Beulah united with Hampton Primitive Baptist Church on Sept. 20, 1947.
Born November 9, 1910 in Marion County, Alabama, departed this life February 22, 2002, in the Jefferson County Regional Hospital, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Sister Beulah will be greatly missed by her church, her family members, and a host of friends. while our hearts are saddened by her passing, we know Sister Beulah is in a much better place, where her pain and suffering is no more.
Sister Beulah was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd McWhirter, her parents, her sisters, and brothers, three children and one grandchild. Sister Beulah leaves to mourn her passing, four sons; George McWhirter of Fordyce, AR., Elder Bobby McWhirter of Hampton, Paul and Julius McWhirter, both of Texas; four daughters, Dean Williams of Tinsman, Mary Shores of Van Buren, Annie [Dotsy] Boatright of Texas, Wanda Roberts of Hampton. Also each spouse of these were as [sons and daughters]. [Sister Beulah lived to see three sons and their wives and two daughters and their husbands, two grandchildren and one great grand-child unite with Hampton Church.] She also leaves behind 27 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren and eleven great-great-grandchildren, her church family, and a host of friends and other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted by her son and pastor, Elder Bobby McWhirter and Elder Vernon Lee on Monday, February 25, 2002 at Benton Funeral Home chapel of Fordyce, Arkansas. She was laid to rest, awaiting the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Campground Cemetery, Hampton, Arkansas.
We pray the Lord of Heaven and earth will comfort and console those who mourn her passing. Written with love,
Elder Bobby McWhirter.
New Hope Primitive Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, OK has been truly saddened by the sudden death of Sister Ruth Thomas.
Sister Ruth passed away suddenly in her home, Tulsa, OK, Friday morning, Feb. 8, 2002. She was born Sunday, March 23, 1930 in Konawa, OK, making her stay on earth 71 years, ten months and 16 days.
Sister Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Elder Eugene W. Hendricks and Martha Christine West Hendricks, and her husband, Bert Thomas, who passed away Nov. 26, 1996 in Andrews, TX. She moved from Andrews, TX
to Tulsa, OK in 1997 and moved her membership from Andrews Primitive Baptist Church to New Hope Primitive Baptist church. She was a retired secretary for the Andrews Independent School District.
She leaves to mourn her passing, three daughters, Vicki Lynn Mashunkashey of Tulsa, Cheryl Lanette Thomas of Andrews and Connie Jean Atwood, Searcy, AR; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Sister Ruth has been such a joy and a blessing to our church. Even though, we have a hope that she is in a far better place and that her suffering is over here, we will miss her very much. Funeral services were conducted at McNett Funeral Home in Andrews, Texas, Tuesday, February 12, 2002 by Elder Don Farris, Rogers, AR. Interment at Andrews West Cemetery in Andrews, TX.
May God comfort and console her family and many friends.
Written at the request of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, while in conference.
Elder Mark Green, Pastor
Sister Lavene Neal, C. C.