Honoring 783 Years of Praise

On Sunday, February 26, 2017 following worship at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, the congregation and staff will have a “birthday bash” for eight ninety-five plus year old members in the fellowship hall at the church. 

We wanted to take a moment and give thanks to these women and to St. Mark for choosing to honor 783 years of dedication to the Lord and to the United Methodist Church.

“We wanted to celebrate how good God has been to St. Mark by allowing us to have eight beautiful women still with us and still serving and praising Him.” said Marian Griffin the brainchild of the program. 

Marian Griffin shared that several years ago the idea of honoring these women came to her in a dream from God. 

The Honorees are:
 

	Mrs. Mildred Bowie is 101 years old and she still loves to bowl and in regular attendance at church.  She is a retired public school teacher.  Mrs. Bowie served in many capacities at St. Mark, both at the Convention Street location and our present location.  She was a Delegate to Annual Conference for four years, a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, attended the Sager Brown School for Women in Baldwin, a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.  She is listed on the cornerstone of St. Mark's, as a member of the Building Committee.  Currently, she is a Class Leader, member of Rosa Jackson Study Group and the United Methodist Women.
	Mrs. Doris Thompson is 100 years old and is also the daughter of a minister.  Mrs. Thompson joined St. Mark when she was 12 years old.  She says that she has a wonderful time at St. Mark and it has been, "a good life."  "My joy was and still is to go to church, concentrating on what is going on, reading Scriptures and the Upper Room." Her greatest hour of fulfillment is when the clock strikes 2:00 p.m. which is her devotion time.  As a retired public school teacher, her passion shifted her back into a classroom setting as a Sunday School Teacher and Vacation Bible School Teacher.  She also worked in the nursery at the Convention Street Location.  She is currently an Honorary Communion Stewart and a member of the United Methodist Women.
	Mrs. Eleanor Miles is 100 years old and is the youngest of ten children.  Her parents had five girls and five boys and she is the only one still living.  She says she is grateful the Lord gave her the health and strength to take care of her four sisters. She is a former first lady having been married to a minister having served wherever needed in the church.  She is currently a Communion Stewart and a member of the L.B. Lewis Christian Involvers.
	Mrs. Ruth Myers is 95 years old.  She is the first born of twin daughters.  She joined St. Mark United Methodist Church in the 1950’s and served faithfully in many ministries including, Sunday School and she is still servicing as an Honorary Member of the Communion Stewart and she is a member of the Rosa Jackson Study Group and the United Methodist Women.
	Mrs. Alice Stepter was born July 21, 1920 in Clinton, LA.  She was one of fourteen children and is the only one living.  She joined St. Mark under Rev. W. T. Handy and has two daughters.  Mrs. Stepter enjoys singing but she did not join the church choir.
	Mrs. Vertlee Washington is a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina.  She then moved to Baton Rouge and joined St. Mark United Methodist Church.  She retired as an elementary teacher for 30 years in Orleans Parish and was an active member of Brooks UMC for many years.
	Ms. Ella Pitts was born July 4, 1918.  This coming July 4, she will be 99 years old.

 

 






















































































Also honored will be Mrs. Natalie Holloman who is 96 years old and born August 14, 1920.

For more on the history of St. Mark United Methodist Church, click here.