Mother Neva M. Monroe

Mother Neva Monroe, our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister and Aunt, transitioned peacefully from this life to heavenly rest on April 30, 2014 after a lengthy illness. Neva Mae Washington was born on September 21, 1932 to Willie B. and Callie Mae Washington in Waldo, Arkansas. She was the 2nd oldest of 10 children. She was saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled in 1958. Neva married Theodore Monroe, Jr. on January 11, 1951 in Charleston, Missouri. Mother Monroe loved her family and was a caring and devoted mother of eleven children and a grandmother. She spent time praying and encouraging each one with every opportunity. She was a homemaker, excellent cook, gardener and her Sweet Potato Pies, Peach Cobbler and Dressing were the best. She was known for her Godly Wisdom, gentle spirit, humorous anecdotes, caring heart and comforting smile. She was a great singer who would often sing, “In Times Like These, Just Another Day, I’m Running for My Life and All of My Life I’ll Say Yes Lord” which has proven to be her life testimony. Mother Monroe loved to shop, dress up with her high heels and was known for her unique style of hats. Although she never had a driver’s license, she managed to travel to wherever she wanted to go. She loved to attend church and believed in having “GOOD” church! She would often remind her family how much she loved them. She encouraged them to have the same prayer life and righteous walk with the Lord as she did. One of her favorite sayings was, “Pray and Pray Some More, and when you get through Praying, Pray Some More.” Mother Monroe served in leadership alongside her husband, Pastor Theodore Monroe, at the Good Shepherd Church of God In Christ (COGIC) for many years. She was the epitome of a Virtuous Woman. Mother Monroe also served in the COGIC Women’s Department for her Local, District and Jurisdiction. She was involved in the Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction, serving in District #8 under Superintendent Fred Lewis (currently Bishop, SW MI #4). Mother Monroe was appointed Chairperson of Superintendent Wives of SW First Jurisdiction 1991, 1995, 1996 and other teaching certificates under State Supervisor Mother Regina Edwards & Bishop J.H. Sheard. She was active in the Young Women’s Christian Council, Home and Foreign Mission, Sewing Circle, Prayer & Bible Band, and Hospitality Department. She was an inspiration to many women locally and throughout the State of Michigan. Mother Monroe was a faithful attendee of the COGIC Holy Convocation and International Women’s Convention for many years. She later became a member of Greater Metropolitan Cathedral COGIC under the pastorate of Dr. Roderick & Missionary Tangie Anderson, where she was a faithful member of the Mothers Board. She joined Victorious Believers Ministries under the leadership of the late Bishop Marvin C. Pryor and Mother Ruth C. Pryor. She was awarded Mother of the Year in 2008 by Southwest Michigan Third Jurisdiction. She will be remembered as a faithful member of the Mothers Board – quiet in Spirit but quick in Holy Ghost Power. She would often speak in tongues “NANASEE NANASA” in Jesus Name. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Pastor Theodore Monroe; six sons and four daughters, Bill J. Bell of Cape Girardeau, MO, Jerry T. of Saint Paul, MN, Willie T. (Christine) of Eden Prairie, MN, Charles R. of Royal Oak, MI, Evangeline of Sterling Heights, MI, William L. (Denise), Minister Tony R (Carol), Ruth A., Caroline J. Young and Catherine Hicks, all of Saginaw, MI; 29 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Ethel Beck and Melvetta Smith of St. Louis, MO, Annie Washington, Bonnie Washington and Betty Mitchell of Detroit, MI, and Dorothy Stevenson of Corpus Christi, TX; one brother, Johnnie (Michelle) Washington, St. Louis, MO; sisters-in law, Alberta Jackson, Dorothy Menzie, Geraldine (Moty) McKinney, and Leatrice, brothers-in law, Larry (Pamela) Monroe, Charley (Pickett) Monroe, John Fredrick (Sandra) Monroe, all of Saginaw, MI; one aunt, Zoredia Hicks of Saginaw, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and prayer partners, including Mother Lula Mae Brown, Mother Sarah Nix, Mother Earlene Shepard, Mother Margaret Brodus, Mother Earlene Owens, Mother Margaret Jones, Missionary Anna Shannon, Sister Doris Laster and Sister Ozzie Rideout, and special daughters, Joe Ann Rogan, Rhonda Farrell-Butler, Phyllis Oliver, Diane Dixon, Diane Shephard-English, Jalisa Owens, Shondresha and Shymia Wrighten and the Rideout Children. She was greeted at the heavenly gates by a loving daughter, Vera Lynette Monroe; two grandsons, Antionne and Derrick Monroe; two granddaughters, Angela Monroe and Tinasha Young; two daughters-in-law, Debra and Linda Monroe; two brothers, Willie B. and George Washington; and one sister, Inez Washington. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014 at Victorious Believers Ministries C.O.G.I.C., 624 South Outer Drive. Pastor Christopher Pryor will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present for a 6:00 p.m. family hour.

Mother Neva M. Monroe

September 21, 1932 - April 30, 2014