BY LOUIS C. WARD
LEESBURG – Henrietta Hudson is the treasurer, the secretary, and whatever else she needed to be at any given Sunday’s worship service or weekly Bible study at Bethel Tabernacle Church in Leesburg, Florida.
After worship service on Sunday, April 23, 2023, Pastor Edward Frazier and Co-Pastor Mary Frazier showed their appreciation for Henrietta’s faithful and dedicated service by recognizing her with an award, flowers and dinner at the Ole Timers Restaurant where they dined on catfish and shrimp.
It was a great Sunday for a stunned Henrietta. “They surprised me; I didn’t know they were going to honor me,” said a humbled Henrietta, a chartered member of Bethel Tabernacle Church, who’s been there 20 years. “I was honored to receive the award plaque, receive flowers and see my sisters, my sons, my grandchildren, my nieces and nephews.”
Henerietta didn’t have a clue she was being honored. Pastor Frazier contacted her son, Bandon, and together they were able to get the family members on board for the occasion.
“The Bible says, “Remember those who labored with you,” remarked Pastor Frazier. “ I don’t take that for granted,” referring to Henrietta “who stayed at the church, when some had come and gone. I’m grateful for the 20 years that God allowed me to pastor her.”
“Today, my mother was honored for 20 years of service with Pastor Frazier. Thank you, God, for keeping my Mama,” Brandon, Henrietta’s oldest son, said.
Cynthia Marshall, Henrietta’s sister, thanked Pastors Edward and Mary Frazier “for their thoughtfulness.” and congratulated Henrietta for “20 years of dedicated service to the ministry and serving God with such compassion.”
