Lina E. Wellington

Lina Elizabeth Reed Wellington was the middle child of three siblings. She was born on March 19, 1921 in Jonestown, Mississippi to Greene Buford and Tetney Reed. While Lina was several days old, her family moved to Arkansas.

She entered elementary school and received her high school diploma from Felix High School in Marion, Arkansas. During her school years, she worked in the cotton fields as a sharecropper. Lina professed a hope in Christ in Friendship Baptist Church at the age of 13. Lina met her husband, Isaac, in elementary school. Their courtship began when they were 16 years old. Five years later, they were married on March 21, 1942. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Brightwood. Their marriage was blessed with four boys: Isaac, Jr., Calvin, Wayne, and Clarence. Isaac and Lina became neighbors and friends of members of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Eventually, Lina joined GMBC by Christian experience under Rev. David B. Dudley in 1952.

When the boys were young, she was very supportive and active in their activities. She would help transport neighborhood kids to basketball, football, and baseball games. To stay in touch with her boys she would ride bicycles and dance with them. She was renowned for her cooking that included her sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, greens, and fried chicken. Lina enjoyed being active in her church and community where she participated in the food pantry ministry and the Martindale-Brightwood Neighborhood Association. As a long time and faithful member of GMBC, Lina participated in various auxiliaries and organizations including the Senior Usher Board, Kitchen Committee, Matrons, and Missions. Lina eventually sought and became self-employed as a domestic worker, retiring in the summer of 1987.

Isaac and Lina have been extended parents and family to many friends and neighbors in the Brightwood community. Lina departed this life on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the age of 92.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 71 years, Isaac, Sr.; her four sons: Isaac, Jr. (Linda), Calvin (Grace Jean), Wayne (Ophelia), Clarence (Janice); 15 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and church family.

The visitation will take place on Monday, January 13, 2014, 9am to 12pm, with the Homegoing Celebration commencing at 12pm at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. The burial will follow immediately at Crown Hill Cemetery.