Ladies recognized, memorialized at senior service

By MILDRED BROWDER-HUGHES

Correspondent

JOHNSONVILLE — The morning worship hour at Johnsonville Pentecostal Holiness Church on Sunday, Nov. 11, was devoted to the senior citizens. The church has grown to be largely a senior church.  During the service one senior was honored and another was memorialized.

Diane Evans, program director, said, “If it were not for those seniors who have departed this life and for those still with us, for their faithfulness and service to God, we would not have the Christian heritage we enjoy. Without the faith they possessed, they would have given up when things became difficult in their lives. Instead, they gave their burdens to the Lord and he took care of them. They lived by the promise that their God would never leave them nor forsake them.

“The things they have done and are still doing for the church were not important to the world. They never received worldly acclaim or became a millionaire; never went to the moon or outer space or received an Oscar or won a Nobel Prize. Each of them knew that their eternal home is far more important and worth striving for.”

Elizabeth (Beth) Dennis Altman was honored for her outstanding qualities as a member of the church and the late Thelma Watts Joye Rogers was memorialized.

Ms. Altman, 86, was born June 14, 1921 in Johnsonville, the daughter of the late George and Jessie Powell Dennis. She was married to the late Homer Altman. From this union six children were born; Raeford, Billy and Harry Altman, Joanne Hatchell, Gloria Chastain and Cindy Grugan. She has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Beth, as she is affectionately called, joined the JPH Church on April 1, 1962. She immediately began to work for the church in any capacity where she felt needed. She taught the Primary Sunday Sunday School Class, served as Ladies Auxiliary President for many years, helping with the many different projects of the church to assist financially. She sang in the choir and she and her two younger sisters, Meredith and Mavis, sang as a trio. She is still active in Vacation Bible School and in the benevolent ministry of the church.

She was presented a lovely plaque to commemorate the occasion.

All of her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren with the exception of five grandchildren were guests for the occasion. Other guests were her brothers of Lake City, Malvin Dennis, Everett G. Dennis and his wife, Belle Dennis.

She said, “I truly believe that was the greatest surprise of my life.” The group entered the church while she was in her Sunday school classroom. When she entered the sanctuary, she was surprised to see the first six pews were filled with HER family.

Thelma Rogers was born May 16, 1912 in Horry County, a daughter of Smittie and Mattie Johnson Watts. She was first married to William LeGrande (Bill) Joye from which union came four children, Donald Joye, Marvin Joye  (deceased), a Kola Joye Burrows and Mary Billie Cribb. Joye died April 2, 1938, leaving Thelma a young widow with four children. She then married Alfred Franklin Rogers. From that union came five children, Robbie, Thomas (Tom), Jimmy, Wendell and Mary Ann Bass. There are now 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

It is not known when Thelma joined the church. She was a member of the Ladies Bible Class, which supported the church in many worthwhile projects. She was the kind of woman Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25: 34-40. She sought first the kingdom of God, and many things were added to her in her later years as well as when she was bringing her children up.

When it was Thelma’s time to go home with the Lord, he gave her a wonderful setting for such an occasion. She was in church on September 7, 1988, at Prayer Meeting where she leaned over the pew and expired. She just changed locations, praising the Lord for his wonderful blessings.

She will always be remembered for her faithfulness to the church.

She was awarded a plaque posthumously that was accepted by her daughter, Mary Ann Bass.

Also present for the occasion were members of her family Don and Frances Joye, Mary Ann Bass, Mel and Julie Rogers and Candice Gaster of Johnsonville, Tom and Shirley Rogers and their daughter, Teresa, of Aiken, Rev. Jimmy Rogers and Bill Miles of Bonneau.

Guests were invited to the Family Life Center for camaraderie and, luncheon following the service.