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In Memory of Sister Lillian Huddleston

Mrs. Huddleston, who died at age 102 on September 3, 2004, began keeping the Sabbath at age 47, and kept it as an adult for 55 years. Sister Lillian Ringo Huddleston was born October 7, 1902, in a small town named Ringo, Missouri (after her father) in the area of Charleston, to Thomas R. Ringo and Ella Mae Whittiker. She was reared and educated in Boley, OK (near Indian Territory). Converted at age 11, she accepted the "true apostolic doctrine."

In 1949 she became a member of the North Street Seventh Day Adventist Church. Later she joined the Worldwide Church of God in the late 1950's. She traveled across the USA and Caribbean visiting different feast sites and friends during the winter months, which could be quite harsh in her home town of Flint, Michigan. She later joined the Assembly of Yahvah in Messiah where she remained a member until her death. She wrote poems which she would share as "specials" in congregational meetings, and collected and wrote tracts to share with visitors to her home. Sometimes she would send them out randomly in the mail.

Sister Lillian was an evangelistic missionary and Bible teacher.

Since 1934, beginning in Blytheville, Arkansas, it was her evangelistic work that brought her to Flint in 1943 to work with the late Elder Johnny Smyer in the civic and community religious work. Her main purpose in life was to try to show people a better way of life. Sister Lillian pioneered in many fields in Flint. She was the first African-American to serve as bishop sewing teacher on the Mott Adult Program and was coordinator of many of its programs including Tot Lot, Hot Breakfast. She also worked as a stepping stone leader, in child accounting for board of education, as campaign worker in 3rd ward to elect Mr. Floyd McCree as first African-American city commissioner (now councilman), served on the executive board of the NAACP and Urban League at Fairview Community School, homeroom mother, PTA president, Homemaker program assistant liaison for the truant officer, Mr. John Russell and the welfare mothers of the Fairview community, served on the 100 member board of commissioners for the urban renewal program.

Her evangelist work took her through the USA and Canada. She didn't confine her missionary work to any one group organization but worked wherever needed or accepted. She preferred to be known as a woman who loved Yahvah (God) and people—a woman who lived in the house by the side of the road and was a friend to humanity.

In recent years she received as recognition for her work, the Sojourner Truth award, Volunteer of the Year award and Woman of the Year award. She was a member of Hasselbring Community Center, served on the advisory board, a charter member of the Negro Women Business Professional Organization and a charter member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. While a charter member, she made many worthwhile contributions to the center and community. Her motto, "keep Hasselbring represented" and that she did. Her latest project was the United Negro College Fund which, through her leadership, Hasselbring contributed hundreds and hundreds of dollars to Negro colleges.

She leaves to cherish sweet memories her son, Mr. Charles Mason (Cheryl) Ewing, Flint, MI; grand daughters, Ms. China and Ms. Nikki Charue Ewing, Ypsilanti, MI; sister, Mrs. Lorraine Rowlett, niece, Ms. Yvonne (Darrin) Rowlett-Watkins, great niece, Ms. Coresha Rowlett, great nephew, Mr. Stephon Rowlett, all of Pontiac, Michigan; many adopted children, a host of many good friends including dearest friends, the Johnsons, Redmonds, Makandes, Earnestine (James) Washington, of Flint, and Marsha Basner of Tulsa, Oklahoma; adopted grandson, Mr. Joseph Fraiser, a sister like pal, Mrs. Alice Turnbull, adopted sister, Mrs. Lelia Caldwell, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Mendez, Mr..and Mrs. Phillip (Linda) Lester, brother and.sister Otto (Ester) Meisel, and sister and caregiver, Mrs. Rutlia Porter and the members of the Only Child Club and Assemblies of Yahvah of the Messiah.

TSS

March - April 2005 The Sabbath Sentinel