Mother Mary Estelle Tate Gafford

Mother Mary Estelle Tate Gafford was born August 26, 1917 in Hampton, Arkansas to Frank Tate and Addie Jackson. Mother Gafford accepted Christ and was baptized at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas, then under the leadership of Rev. Simmons. She later relocated to El Dorado, Arkansas where she united with Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, then under the leadership of Rev. L. D. Champion. Throughout the years, until her health began to fail, Mother Gafford served in many capacities in not only her church, but on the district and statewide levels. While at Evergreen Baptist Church she served as Sunday School Teacher, Pastor's Aid, Youth Director, Usher Board President and Church Mother as well as presented the "Original Old Ship of Zion". Mother Gafford also served as an Usher Instructor within the Friendship District Association as well as the Arkansas State Missionary Baptist Consilidated Congress. Mother Gafford answered her call home on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Hudson Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters; Mary B. Jones, Myrtle L. Smith and Helen T. Jacobs; two daughters; Bobbie J. Sams and Dorothy Jackson. She leaves her cherished memories to one son: Jonah Johnson, Jr.(Gloria) of El Dorado, Arkansas; two daughters, Gloria Faye Lipston of San Lorenzo, California and Shirley Rochelle of El Dorado, Arkansas. Six step-children; Dorothy Walker, James Barnes, Lee L. Barnes, Jr., Rodney Barnes, Ramondo Barnes and Monica Barnes; 22 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren and a host of loved ones and friends. Homegoing Services for Mother Gafford will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Evergreen Full Gospel Church, El Dorado, Arkansas with the Rev. O. B. Butler officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. Visitation at the Funeral Home will be Wednesday, January 17, 2007 from 9:00am-5:30pm and Thursday, January 18, 2007 from 8:30-9:30am. The family will receive friends at 523 Russell St., El Dorado, Arkansas. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mother Mary Estelle Tate Gafford, please visit our flower store.