Mrs. Gleneva Childs

LIFE COMMENCEMENT Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart .... Jeremiah 1:5. A shining gem and beautiful being was created in 1926. The Lord blessed Emmit Clay and Bernice (Brooks) Clay to give life and birth to their first child, Gleneva Clay on January 8,1927. She was born in Beauregard, Mississippi, in her paternal grandfather's home. Gleneva, the oldest of 13 children, was distinctive from the inception of her life. She assisted in rearing her siblings and served as a role model for each of them. As the oldest, there were obligations that came along with that role. Gleneva was responsible for milking the cows, feeding the hogs, picking cotton, picking the beans, gardening and taking care of the children. She often sat at the feet of her parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles and gleaned knowledge. Gleneva was affectionately known as "Glen" amongst family. Gleneva committed her lift to Christ in Beauregard, MS and was baptized in the Beauregard pond. She later joined the family church; St. Peter Rock Baptist Church in Beauregard, MS. EDUCATION Gleneva, a bright child, was educated at Beauregard School in Mississippi. She jattended Parish High School in Hazelhurst, Mississippi and graduated in 1947. Her desire to learn. and advance in her knowledge led to her enrollment and attendance at Jackson State University where she majored in Education. WIFE Gleneva was an upward and mobile woman so she decided to move north to Milwaukee to seek greater opportunities. She moved to Milwaukee in 1954. She began visiting Tabernacle Community Baptist Church and a certain Sunday School teacher, by the name of Martin Childs, Sr., who just happened to be her teacher, took special notice of her, unbeknownst to her. Their relationship grew and blossomed and they were united in holy matrimony on May 11, 1956. She remained in faithful matrimony with Martin until his passing in May, 1987. She joined with the Childs family and this new bloodline became deeply rooted . MOTHER Gleneva and Martin Childs were blessed to give life, purpose and meaning to six children as a union and in addition Gleneva assisted in rearing four daughters, lovingly as her own. With each of her six children, Gleneva dedicated each one of them back to the Lord at birth. What an amazing and significant deed to fulfill. She sacrificed much to raise her children and to ensure that they were prepared and equipped to live as Christians, respectful, responsible and kind beings. She was instrumental in the advancement of her children's formal education. Gleneva modeled the life she spoke to and preached. She is without doubt, the essential prototype for the virtuous woman and godly mother. She was firm yet loving and so very faithful and committed to each one of her children. She loved them unconditionally and uniquely in her own way. She supported them faithfully in all of their activities and accomplishments and attended every event that she possibly could attend. Most significantly, she taught her children the Word of the Lord, how to love the Lord, how to live in admonition of the Lord and how to grow in the strength of the Lord. Clearly, the nurturing, teaching, and impact of Gleneva and Martin has formed each of the children into what they have become. EDUCATOR / CAREER Gleneva began her professional career in Mississippi, as an educator, and she taught in various counties. She taught and educated the majority of her siblings and other relatives and neighbors at Beauregard School. In Milwaukee, she continued to utilize her teaching gifts by becoming employed with the Milwaukee Public School District. Gleneva began her service with MPS in 1975 and served for twenty years. She served at diverse schools and was blessed to spread her gifts, deposit and pour into many children across this city. She was a shining light in every school that she served in. Gleneva also was employed by Smartwear Clothing store on Wisconsin Avenue upon her arrival to Milwaukee. TABERNACLE SERVICE Gleneva joined Tabernacle in 1955 under the pastorate of Pastor Jewel L. Williams. She continued to serve faithfully and dutifully under Pastors Robert L. Harris and Don Darius Butler. She respected andloved each of her pastors. Gleneva can be found guilty of being faithful to her church and faithful in her attendance to Church. She was always present and would come to church when she was not always ;feeling her best; be it with assistance or even on her walker. She also attended Bible Study and services at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Gleneva served as a Deaconess and was also appointed a Mother of the church. She has the distinct honor of being the longest serving Mother of the present Tabernacle Mother's Board / Dorcas Circle. In this role, she served faithfully as she taught, washed communion cups and dishes and washed baptismal clothes. As Mother of the church, she also encouraged others in her gentle way and knew how to pull individuals aside in love yet retain their dignity. Mother Gleneva Childs was a mentor to so many and was so impactful with her soft yet effective, persuasive and influential tone. Gleneva also served as VBS Teacher, VBS Director, Chairman of the Ministers, Deacons and Trustees Wives and as Junior Choir Supervisor. She loved her Tabernacle Church family and this was evident by the number of individuals who made their way to see her after church and by the numerous lipstick imprints left on her cheek. SERVICE IN THE LORD'S KINGDOM Gleneva served as the Director of the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention Children's Laboratory and later the Director of the Children's Division. Over the years, she impacted so many children in the Children's Division of the State Congress. However, she also impacted the adults that worked with and alongside her because of her loving style and her calm demeanor. She was a strong woman that was empowered by her tranquil strength. Gleneva also served as Secretary for the WGBSC State Deaconess. She attended several sessions of the National Baptist Convention in several different states. Gleneva labored with Interfaith Services and served many in this community. As well, Gleneva faithfully served as a Tutor for over two years at Clark Street Elementary School. PASSIONS / PASTIME Gleneva was a gifted and avid seamstress. She loved to sew and she made many dresses, church annual day uniforms, and many other items on her Singer sewing machine that resided in the dining room of 10th Street. She loved to arrange and assemble floral arrangements and often watched craft or flower shows on television. She also enjoyed watching cooking shows. Her beloved television show was "MASH". Gleneva loved to travel and we will never forget the many trips to the south in the station wagons. She was a talented cook and baker and we will forever remember her infamous Molasses Bread, Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Cake, Greens, Cornbread and Dumplings. Gleneva loved eating pound cake and ice cream. Gleneva was a member of the Ladies Workout Express Fitness Club and faithfully attended classes each Monday and Wednesday, when she was able. She was a shining light in the club and was faithful in walking her laps and completing Zumba in her chair. It was cute because after working out, she would often request and stop for ice cream on her way home. Gleneva was an easy going and low maintenance individual and her humble style attracted and drew many people towards her. She embraced a funny side and was a very funny woman with a wonderful sense of humor. As she reflected on past memories, she would often let out a hearty laugh and become very tickled. The one thing that was not funny, however, was her disdain for snakes. This may have been the only thing she did not care for and understandably so. CULMINATING FINAL CHAPTER Her humble, kind and warm spirit encapsulates Mother Gleneva Childs. This petite woman of strength ;was satiated with so much power and might. She was small but yet so powerful. Gleneva was truly the rock of our family and her strength has been poured into each of us. Her light will forever shine in us. Her strength and resilience is certainly in her DNA. Gleneva's bloodline of Brooks and Clays exudes strength, empowerment, power, and a willingness to never give up. This strength flows to her siblings, children, grandchildren, great grand children, relatives and friends. It is difficult and nearly impossible to capture her life in mere words, thus, we must live her life out. On the morning of June 3, 2014, Gleneva transitioned to her heavenly home. Gleneva reunited with the love of her life Martin Childs Sr. and her parents Emmit and Bernice Clay. She gathered with her sister Ruth Glasper and brother Emmit Clay Jr. She reconnected with daughter Nancy Izard, Patsy Bradshaw and mother-in-law Octavia Childs and a multitude of relatives and loved ones. She joined the assembly of the faithful. Most importantly, she arrived in presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will reside there eternal and will one day reunite with her children, siblings, family and friends. LEGACY Her spirit, life and legacy lives on in her family and loved ones and she will continue to pour into: • Children: Robert G. (Audrey), Martin (Thresessa), Gerald (Michelle), Theresa R., Milton 1. (Michelle), and Donna M., Judy Thomas and Jerry Badger. Siblings: Luther Clay, Robert Clay, Mary Motley, Dorothy Patterson (Emell), E.D. Clay (Willie Ann), Ruby Carter (James); Edith Jones (Willie), Charles Clay (Bobbie), Harry Clay (Lora), Johnny Clay (Jessie). Brother-In-Law, General Childs and Sister-In-Law, Ethel Lee Wright. Twenty-eight gifted grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a multitude of relatives, church family, special daughters, friends, neighbors and loved ones. Gleneva had the opportunity to sit in the presence of dignitaries and take pictures with high officials but now she is in the presence of the ALMIGHTY KING.

Mrs. Gleneva Childs

January 8, 1927 - June 3, 2014