Mildred Spates

SPATES, Mother Mildred - Age 97, passed away Friday, February 8, 2008 at Maplewood Manor in Clio, MI. Family hour 10AM Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Greater New Bethel C.O.G.I.C., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Pastor Brian D. Grundy, officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Saturday. Mother Spates will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2PM-8PM Friday. Mother Mildred Spates was born June 3, 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of William Madison Milton and Lizzie Ward Milton. Mother Spates went on to be with the Lord February 8, 2008 just two years and four months shy of "100". Mother Spates was a loving devoted member of Greater New Bethel C.O.G.I.C. since 1986. She was the sister of the late Beatrice Hill the founders wife of Greater New Bethel. Mother Spates worked diligently in the church as a Pastor's Aid, first under the late Pastor Superintendent Cludges Hill from 1986 to 1996 and from 1996 to present under Superintendent Brian D. Grundy. Before coming to Michigan she was the First Lady of Unity Church of God In Christ in Greenville, MS, working faithfully with her husband the late Pastor Spates for 21 years. She was promoted to the 7th grade as a child. Saved at the age 26. "I was converted in 1924 in Sharky County, United in the Holiness Church in 1936 under the late King David Osborn, received the Holy Ghost in 1938. What a joy, I love the Lord". Mother Spates was a fundraiser (Rally) second to none. She was a songwriter, prayer warrior, praise and worshiper. Mother Spade had no biological children but she had many sons and daughter in the Lord including special goddaughters, Bertha Walton, Carolyn Wells, Evelyn Cannon and Georgia Mae Spence; stepson, Joe (Roberta) Howard of Chicago, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends including the Maplewood Manor staff in Clio, MI. Mother Spates was preceded in death by her parents, William Madison Milton and Lizzie Ward Milton; 2 sisters, Beatrice Hill and Oresia Dukes.

Mildred Spates

June 3, 1910 - February 8, 2008