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EDITOR'S NOTE: Mamie Chisholm was honored Dec. 1 by Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gastonia for her 40-plus years as director and minister of music. Here is an article she wrote for Tabernacle Baptist’s Victorious News newsletter. By Mamie Chisholm Tabernacle Baptist Church As I look back over my life, there are so many blessings God has bestowed on me. I am a retired French teacher and still working part time. My husband, Terry, and I have been married for 42 years. We have two awesome daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and four precious grandchildren. Music is an enjoyment to my entire family. We all love music and sing ing, and very often we sit around and have a sing along. As a child, I loved to sing with my two sisters, and I would even direct with a stick from the backyard. My parents took us to church every Wednesday night for prayer meeting, and we would sing all those songs that made you tap your feet along with the beat. On Sundays, we'd sing in the choir, and the church would cry aloud, “sing children.” Music has always been a part of my life. I took music lessons until high school. When I graduated, I matriculated to Johnson C. Smith University on a music scholarship, where my focus was voice and choral directing for two years. Once my interest in foreign lan guage sparked, I decided to major in French and minor in psychology. I remained active in music by singing in the choir at Tabernacle Baptist Church and going to the state convention each year, partici pating in music workshops. When I started in 1967, I knew I would use some form of my love for mu sic in the classroom. I taught basic French skills by sings numbers, days of the week, months, seasons, adjectives, verbs, subject pro nouns, etc. My students seemed to enjoy learn ing a foreign language using a physical response method of singing. I also had parents who encouraged and moti vated my siblings and me to use our God-given talents wherever we went in life. I remained active in the music ministry at church. My oldest sister, Bettye, was pianist for the choirs, and I sang and helped direct. In April 1973, she announced she was leaving to be in ministry with her husband, the Rev. A.W. Canada. I was terrified and so upset, but I knew she had made the right decision to partner with her husband. The deacons asked, or should I say, told me, that I would take her place. I said, “no,” until my daddy reminded me that God can use any will ing vessel to do His work. He said the Lord will lead, direct and guide you through all things. I became director of mu sic ministry, and I can truly say it has been God who has been by my side through everything. He has been my strength through every avenue in my life. As director of music ministry, I have gained wisdom from others, and the Lord certainly covered and blessed me. I have ministered to others, and I have also received so much insight. I have had many wonderful and rewarding experiences from so many I have worked and partnered with in the Lord. I am happy that my parents encouraged me to stay focused. My daddy always said God will never leave you alone when you trust in him and do His will. I am extremely grateful to God and to Taber nacle for the opportunity to work in this capacity for all these years. I will continue to be the cheer leader for the choirs and the music ministry. I share the words my daddy always instilled in us: stay with God and you will continue to go higher and higher in the Lord. I praise God for Pastor Hinton, Minister Hin ton and the Tabernacle Church family. MORE ABOUT MAMIE CHISHOLM She's married to Terry Chisholm, retired major in the Gaston County Sheriff's Department. Daughter Terri Collins is a county school nurse in Columbus, Ga. She is married to the Rev. Ricky Collins, associate pastor of The Bridge Church. They have two children, Garvin and Gabryele. Daughter Terronna Ross is a French teacher with Gaston County Schools. She's married to Torbin Ross, principal of Hunter Huss High School. They have two children, Madison and Jonathan Ross.
Newspaper Details
The Gaston Gazette
Gastonia, North Carolina, US
Sat, Dec 14, 2013
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 14 Jun 2026
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