Iva Mae Gaston's Obituary

Life Reflections

I dreamed of a city called Glory, so bright and so fair. When I entered the gate I cried “Holy” the angels all welcomed me there. They led me from mansion to mansion, and oh, the sights I saw. But I said, “I want to see Jesus, the One who died for all”.

After the union of Alexander and Carrie Couch Buchanan a bouncing baby girl was born on October 1, 1919. They decided to name her Iva Mae. From that point on Iva began this dream. A dream that she had until it finally came true on Monday, December 26, 2022. Iva was a kind, loving, sweet, precious soul. She dreamed of that city and lived a life to make sure she was able to see that city.

I thought when I entered that city, my loved ones knew me so well. They showed me all thru Heaven, the scenes are too numerous to tell. I saw Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Mark, Luke and Timothy. But I said,” Let me bow down and worship the One who died for me.”

After entering that city, she met her father Alexander, her mother Carrie, her siblings, Eddie, Clem, Ella, Flossie, Alexander, Jr. her daughter Denise, she met Debra, Shedrick and all her other nieces and nephews and friends who preceded her in death. Those that she loved so dearly, but she still and most assuredly wanted to see her Master.

In this dream she knew that the Lord had some missions for her to complete.

She attended Carnes and Hyde Park Elementary Schools. Moved on to Manassas High School and in 1937, she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. After her high school experience, she attended Greg’s Business School.

Iva Mae had a very personal relationship with the Savior so in 1933 (at the age of 14), she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at the Springdale Baptist Church. Later that year, she joined the Columbus Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor G. W. Hayes, and served faithfully in the Sunday School, as an Instructor in the Baptist Training Union, secretary of the adult choir for many

years, Youth advisor and as a faithful member of the Missionary Board. She also served as Secretary of the Tennessee Regular B. M.&E. City Congress under Bro. Jake Manning, Bro. James Bolton and Bro. Richard Johnson.

Serving the Lord was very important to Iva Mae. She frequently spoke to the Lord and He spoke to her. She believed that if you wanted to eat you must work, so she diligently served in the lab of Campbell Clinic for five years, the supply room of Sears for five years, and Atlanta Life Insurance Company where she worked as a clerk for 40 years until she retired in 1985.

Iva Mae met and in 1945 married Judson Luther Gaston. To this union two children entered this world; Cheryl Denise Gaston Janet and Reginald Darnell Gaston. They had two grandchildren: Dana Antoinette Gaston, and Raphael Leon Gaston; and two great grandchildren, Janyce Raichelle Gaston and Joshua Alexander Gaston.

She loved traveling and attending events. State Representative Lois Deberry, who she considered as her adoptive daughter, always took her to the Tennessee Black Caucus/Tennessee legislative Retreat. She faithfully attended the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Reginald Gaston, one grand daughter Dana Gaston, one grand son Raphael (Jannina), one great grand daughter Janyce Gaston, one great grandson, Joshua, three nieces, Evelyn Marion, Janice Buchanan Ross, Jackie Buchanan, two nephews, Henry Gaston (Connie), Tony Buchanan, five great nieces, Carlotta Woodson, Samantha Marion, Jazmine Ramey, Kristin Buchanan, Kim Sanders a host of great nephews and cousins. A very dear friend Carrie B. Moore, other children; Eather Mayes, Deborah Thomas, Elosie Banks, Sandra Johnson, Charlene Thornton, Maria Campbell, Tish Rainey, Carolyn Kilgore, Lenetta Jordan Renee Cogar, Toni Robinson, Corey Alexander, Ronald Cleaves Randle Pope, James Pope, Alfonza Johnson, Dwayne Hulon, Dwayne Walton, Kenny Smith and many friends and loved ones.

“I thought when I saw my dear Savior, there seated on His Throne. Oh, the wonder the He could love me and call me His very own. I bowed down and worshipped this Savior my friend of Calvary. And I wanted to praise Him forever for saving one like me”.

On Monday, December 26, 2022, she bowed on her knees and cried “Holy! Holy! Holy!” She clapped her hands and said “Glory! Glory to the Son of God!”

Service of Celebration

Sunday, the Eighth day of January, Two-thousand Three at One O’clock in the Afternoon

Columbus Baptist Church s 324 North Decatur Street s Memphis, Tennessee 38105 Pastor Jefferson Walker, Officiant Y Pastor Donald Johnson, Eulogist Musical Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professor James O. Pope, Organist Procession. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Family of Iva Mae Buchanan Gaston Closing of the Bier. . . . . . . . . . . . . .”Sunrise Tomorrow”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sister Linda Herring The Hymn of Assurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”The Name Of Jesus”

The Old Testament Scripture. . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalm 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor Roger Brown The New Testament Scripture. . . . . . . . . . II Timothy 4:6-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Jesse Fleming The Prayer of Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor LeAndre Tabor Ministry In Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Iva Gaston Memorial Choir

Words of Tribute

Brother Richard Johnson, TN Regular BM&E City Congress Evangelist Charlene Thornton, National and State Women’s Convention Pastor Edrin L. Alexander, Former Pastor Musical Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.Sister Deborah Manning Thomas

Words of Tribute

Elder Terrance Franklin, Sunday School Minister Ronald Cleaves, Columbus Church Family Sister Dana Gaston, Family Ministry In Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hamilton High School Alumni Choir Acknowledgments &Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sister Carrie Bell Moore Words of Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor Terance Taylor Sermonic Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sister Lavern Johnson Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Donald Johnson Ministry In Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Iva Gaston Memorial Choir The Recessional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Family of Iva Mae Buchanan Gaston

Acknowledgment

How can we say thanks for the things You have done for us? Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove your love for us. The voices of a million angels cannot express our gratitude. All that we have and ever hope to be we owe it all to Thee. To God be the Glory!

The family of Iva Mae Buchanan Gaston (Sister) wishes to thank each of you for your generous acts of kindness, calls, visits, cards, food, flowers, prayers, and kind words. God gave her a full life and showed much favor in her life. You were right there to love on her and give the strength to make it on, so we thank you for all you did in her life. Special thanks to Constance Falkner, Peggy & Reginald Heart, Dr. Robert Kerlin, Dr. Mark Shermer, Dr. Otton, Linda Nevilles, and Eather Mays. May God bless you for your thoughtfulness.