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In Memory of Sister Lillian Huddleston |
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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 peoplea 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
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