John Henry Montgomery

I, John Henry Montgomery, was born to the union of Lanie Cox and Samuel Montgomery on February 10, 1916. I was the ninth of eleven birthed children. I was born into a Christian home and grew up in a Christian environment. Reverend John Henry Winn baptized me at the age of eight at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX. I attended the public school system in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from I.M. Terrell High School in January 1934. I attended Bishop College from March 1934 to May 1936. I entered Mary Allen College in 1948 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1951. After receiving a bachelor's degree, I became dean of men at Mary Allen College. I served in this position from 1951-1953. In 1955, I received a Master's of Arts degree in Administration and Supervision from Texas Southern University. Teaching school and cooking were my basic sources of income. I worked as a Pullman porter in the 1940s and I worked at First Mortgage Company of Texas for 27 ½ years. I retired at the age of 65 and returned to the school system where I worked until 2000. In 1956, I joined Mount Corinth Missionary Baptist Church where I taught intermediate boys for 41 years. I also served on the selection committee that selected pastors. This committee selected Pastor A. Louis Patterson, Jr. I served as Valor Building Fund chairman, Vacation Bible School worker, SWAT worker, and Jubilee chairman 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th years. I married Virgie Mae Bell-Harris in 1956. Virgie and I were married 54 ½ years until her death on May 10, 2011. No children were born to this union; however, Virgie had a son, Tommie Lee Harris. Tommie Lee married Carolyn Dykes White. They had four children: Yulonda Rochelle Harris-Nance, Donna Lynn Harris-Harmon, Tommie Cedric Harris, and Michael Regan Harris, who have ten children between them, to all of whom I was daddy and granddaddy. I was also daddy and granddaddy to many others including Cynthia and Prentiss Gary of Dallas, TX; Earlie and Eli Davis of Dallas, TX; and Gwendolyn Bass and family of Long Beach, CA. I was guardian grandfather to Roblyn Houston of Houston, TX; Kartrum Green of Houston, TX; Darleen and Ossie Vereen of Seattle, WA; Bonnie Hopkins of Spring, TX; and Kymitra Hopkins-Fisher of Houston, TX; and Jonathan M. Townsend of Houston. TX. My parents and all of my siblings preceded me in death. I leave to cherish my memory: my grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, members of the Montgomery and Cox family trees and friends. While studying the Bible, I asked Jesus to come into my life. In talking to God, He has assured me that though my body will be in its grave, my soul will be with Him. I have been born again and I invite each of you to follow.