Mrs. Elizabeth Graham - Missionary Love Award Recipient

Members and others from the community came together at Holsey Chapel C.M.E. Church for the Annual Women in Red Celebration. This event was sponsored by the Women’s Missionary Society and focused on the religious contributions and realities of women. The 2009 Theme was "The Awesome P’s" as communicated by four guest speakers. They were PRAYER by Minister Lynnice Graham of Lithonia, Georgia; PERSERVERANCE by Mrs. Brenda Calloway of Fitzgerald, Ga.; POWER by Mrs. Catina Lumpkin of Brunswick, Ga.; and PRAISE by Mrs. Ola McClain of Fitzgerald, Ga. Music was provided by The Ensemblettes and The Women’s Chorale. As a special treat, The Angelic Angels Praise Team astounded the audience with their rendition of "Order My Steps." This was a perfect transition to the announcement of the recipient of the First Annual Missionary Love Award, Mrs. Elizabeth Graham. Amidst standing ovations, flowers, and a plaque, this quiet figure of grace and elegance, came down front to humbly receive appreciation for her impact to the church and community.

Mrs. Elizabeth Graham (affectionally known as Aunt Nibby) who was born in Ben Hill County on March 1, 1914. Her parents were Mr. Willie & Georgia Ann Coffee. She had two brothers and two sisters. One sister, Julia Hunter, is 101 years of age. She attended Joy Chapel C.M.E. Church school in Ben Hill County. This was one of the oldest black church schools in the county. Later, she attended and graduated from Queensland High School. She married Marion Graham in 1933. She raised her nephew Clifford (Chip) Martin as her own child. Mrs. Graham lived in Florida and Los Angeles, California for many years. After coming back home, she attended Queensland Chapel C.M.E. Church and later united with us here at The Chapel. She is a very dedicated member of the Ben Hill County Senior Citizens and takes great delight in this. After joining Holsey Chapel, she served on the Stewardess Board and the Missionary Society. We are blessed to have this young lady who serves as an inspiration to us. We hope that we are blessed to be as strong, fashionably dressed, and high stepping as Mrs. Graham when we are her age.

More pictures and information is available on the Holsey Chapel website, www.cmefitzgerald.org .