Advanced Senior Mother Harriett Frances Johnson Terrell was born October 17, 1926 in Paw, Paw, West Virginia to the late Deacon Milton A Johnson and Senior Mother Julia M. Johnson. Harriett was the sixth of 14 children. Mother spent her childhood in the foothills of Paw Paw, WV. ASM Terrell and family heard about a tent meeting held by the House of Jacob. She had no intention of joining but the music sounded good and she loved to dance. During that service, Mother and several members of her family joined the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob. She never looked back after that night.
When Mother Harriett was 16 years old, Father sent Supreme Mother B. J. Hargrove to ask her parents if she could come live in Ohio. Her parents consented, from that time on she became a missionary for the Lord. She lived in Bethlehem Township, OH for a while and was later assigned to Zanesville, Ohio. She had so many fond memories of her time there. She often spoke of friends Liz (ASM Elizabeth Slaughter) and Louise (ASM Louise Bynum) and a variety of others. She spoke of the great times in Zanesville services and how they would be in the service of the Lord and Father W. Israel, J.I.S would come walking through the door and the church would go up in the spirit. She stated He would tell the saints,” I was on my way to Newark, Ohio for service but when I got to the fork in the road the spirit directed me to Zanesville.” Father named Zanesville,” the pepper box because they were so full of life.” When the spirit moved Mother, she would be seen spinning like a spinning top.
During her time in Bethlehem, ASM Terrell was chosen as One of the Five Symbols of Wisdom. A play that Father W. Israel had written. She was chosen to play “Justice” and she cherished that moment. She loved the Supreme Council of the House Jacob and our leaders. She devoted her life as a young lady to the church. She was blessed with God-parents (Presiding Elder Norman and Senior Mother Norma Hubbard) who helped guide and direct her in the way as well.
Brother (Advanced Presiding Elder) William H. Terrell, Sr, desired a wife and Bishop C. Silas Hopper instructed him to write the Leader. Father W. Israel, J.I.S. sent him a picture of mother and they began to correspond. On May 11, 1948, they were united in Holy Matrimony. From that union 7 children were born.
They remained in Ohio for a time and then were assigned to Florida and later to Arkansas. Mother was a great help-meet to her husband. You would find her working right along beside him in the upbuilding of the kingdom. She spearheaded dinners and volunteers to raise money for the expansion of the church.
Mother was known for her cooking skills. The saints loved to come over for dinner. It was a common theme after church on Sunday morning to hear different ones say, “Mother Terrell what did you cook for dinner today?” She was known for her sweet potato and lemon meringue pies, fresh apple and banana nut cakes, purple hull peas, and many other delectable items. On several occasions visiting saints would come to the mission in Hope and they did not have to worry about food. Mother invited them over and fed them until they were full. Mother Terrell and Advanced always raised a garden. Mother would can and freeze the yielding for the purpose of preparing meals for the saints.
After being in Arkansas for many years, Advance and Mother were assigned to Compton, California
to continue the work of the Lord. Mother Terrell worked tirelessly to upbuild the church treasure. She started making sandwiches to sell after service. She was never idle, always thinking up ways to assist others. She loved the saints of God. She loved our Father and this great gospel.
ASM Harriett was known to her friends as Hattie or Mother Hattie. She was fun-loving and very quick-witted. She made an impression with all that met her. Mother Terrell spent her later years at Jacobs’ Dwelling Nursing Home and loved attending service in the little mission. She loved the music and the word. You would often find her caught up in the spirit.
After the passing of her dear husband of 63 and one-half years and the closing of Jacob’s Dwelling nursing home, Mother’s new home became Mother Angeline McCrory Manor in Columbus Ohio on February 14, 2012. She was revered there always being addressed as Mother Terrell. She was deemed the Church Lady and was given a sash and her picture was displayed. Even though Mother was in her 90's she still attended church every Sunday in the Columbus, Ohio mission. The saints welcomed her with open arms. She would be found quoting the scriptures right along with the speaker and singing the songs of Zion. Her granddaughter Jacqueline Gant made sure she was able to attend the services of the Lord.
Mother was preceded in death by her siblings Julia, Milton, Eugene, Louise (Purcell),Daniel, William O., ASM Edna, A.P.Eld Alfred, Ruth (Massie), SM. Mildred (Holmes), Robert and Eldrs.Cicele Johnson.
Advanced Senior Mother Harriett Terrell leaves to cherish her memory one sibling Sr. Mtr. Marion Jones, of VA, her children: Adv. Sr. Mtr. Aletha (Adv.Pres.Eld. James) Jones; Mtr. Beulah (Elder Willie G.) Crosby; Rev. William (Mrs. Linnae) Terrell, Jr.; Sr. Bishop J. A. Zerubbabel. (Superior Mother Huldah) Terrell; Eldrs. Esther (Elder Mark) Green; Eldrs. Mary (Brother.Cedric) Carlisle and Pres. Elder Jesse (Eldrs. Benita) Terrell. Her Goddaughter Mother Mary Jane (Adv. Pres Eld. Robert) Harris; two foster children, Bro. Robert (Sister Elizabeth) Valentine and the late Mr. Timothy Valentine, two beloved Sister-in-laws, Adv.Sr.Mtr. Betty (Adv. Pres.Eld. Alfred}Johnson and Sr. Mr. Dolores (Pres.Eld. Harry) Terrell, 21 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
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