~Obituary ~
Mildred Gatlin, the daughter of the late Myrtle and Homer Gatlin, was born on April 15, 1929 in Saulsbury, Tennessee. Mildred was a graduate of Bolivar High School.
Upon moving to Memphis, Mildred married the late Eddie Lee Spencer and to this union three sons were born; Lavern, Eddie, and Rev. Billy Spencer. Mildred later married Willie Wright, who preceded her in death in 1988, and to this union a son and daughter were born; Lee Bernard and Pamela Townsend. In the year 1955, under the leadership of the late Rev. Frank Briscoe, Mildred became a member of the New Era Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board No. 1, the Benevolence Society, and the Willing Workers Ministry and was currently under the pastorship of her son-in-law, Pastor Sampson Townsend, Jr. Mildred always had a desire to care for people, family and friends which lead her to attend and graduate from the John Gaston Nursing Assistant Program. Preceding Mildred in death were her three sons: Lavern and Eddie Spencer and Lee Bernard Wright; and her siblings: Jerome Guy, Lillie Gipson, Lorean Thomas, Annie B. Humphrey, Fannie B. Love, Juster Gatlin, Rev. Homer Gatlin, Lucius Gatlin, Ulas Vaughn and Perine Gordon. Mildred leaves to cherish her precious memories: a daughter, Pamela S. Townsend; a son Rev. Billy Spencer of Santa Ana, CA; two sisters, Ruthie Linzy and Jimmie Gordon; five grandchildren, Lenoris, Eddie, Tamara, Ashley and Brook; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
To Our Mom
We know that we will miss you, But we know that we will see you again. We are not ashamed to cry So, go take your rest. To let the world know that you are You have earned your crown of glory So very special in our hearts. That is waiting for you up there. We will cherish our many memories of you We love you dearly, but God loved you best. As long as we each shall live. We will love you forever, For the sweet smile and the kind words That we knew you would always give. Our hearts ache with sadness And our eyes are full of tears,
Pamela Townsend & Reverend Billy Spencer
~The Order of Service ~ Saturday, December 24, 2016 11:00 A.M.
New Era Baptist Church 797 Laurel St. Memphis, Tennessee 38114
Pastor Sampson Townsend, Jr. ~Officiating~
Processional Musical Selections.....................................................................Choir Scriptures Old Testament.......................................Reverend James Fifer New Testament............................Reverend Willie Williams Jr. Prayer.....................................................Pastor Bernard Montgomery Solo...........................................................................Mr. Calvin Linzy
Reflections:
Neighbor..............................Reverend Uliasea Little Church Member................................Mrs. Betty Cox Family...............................Evangelist Carolyn Scott
Obituary Read Silently
Acknowledgements.............................................Mrs. Barbara Harris Solo..................................................................Ms. Tamara Townsend Eulogy..............................................Reverend Sampson Townsend Jr. Recessional..........................................................“Going Up Yonder�
~Acknowledgement ~ The family of the late Mildred Gatlin acknowledges with
heartfelt appreciation the many kind deeds, comforting and thoughtful expressions of kindness and concern shown during our time of sorrow and bereavement. The family would like to especially thank Mrs. Mary Myers and Mr. Rueben Barnes. May God bestow a special blessing upon every one of you. A Special Thank You to the staff of Allen Brooke Nursing Home, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Linkous and family, former employer, the New Era Baptist Church family and Reverend and Mrs. Bernard Montgomery
~Active Pallbearers ~
Lenoris Spencer Tony Gatlin Dennis Eddins Terrance Eddins Lindberg Gatlin Eddie Spencer III Derrick Jones
~Committal Rites & Interment ~ Forest Hill Cemetery - Midtown 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd Memphis, Tennessee 38106
Distinctive Services by View Funeral Programs, DVD Tributes & More Through Your Mobile Device
3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” ~Since 1923~
901.351.0753 www.mysticalprinting.com info@mysticalprinting.com