Berthenia McNair

Evangelist Berthina McNair, daughter of the late Luke and Nanie Stubbs, was born on June 29, 1922 in Bennettsville, South Carolina. She went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 4, 2005.Mother McNair (as she was affectionately known) received her formal education in the public school system of Bennettsville, South Carolina.She met and married the late Henry McNair in Aberdeen, North Carolina. From this union three children were born, one son, James, two daughters, Joyce and Hannah. The family later moved to Baltimore, Maryland.Mother was employed for many years as custodial worker. Even in the workplace, she ministered the Word of God to everyone she came in contact with. She was diligent in her love and service for God.She has always been a faithful, active participant in church activities and affiliations. At an early age, she was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and received the Holy Ghost. Approaching a new concept of God and His work, by His direction, she began evangelizing in many churches throughout the United States. She was a mentor to many pastors and associate clergy. She performed evangelistic and missionary duties wherever an opportunity was present (street corners, nursing homes, individual homes, large churches, small churches, etc.). She demonstrated her deep seeded love for God and His Word through her ministry and faithfulness to her “calling.”Mother was affiliated with many churches. In the later years she became a member of Mt. Olive Evangelical Church. She was trained in following the leadings of the Spirit and work of God in her field by her pastor and Bishop, the late Bishop Walter Warner. She remained a member of Mt. Olive under the leadership of the present pastorate, Elder Raynor Wharton until 2002. She was a teacher of various bible study groups and had a weekly radio ministry. Mother had many prayer partners which she faithfully called daily for prayer; she was a great prayer warrior. She conducted a bible class at Kirkwood House where she resided and at the League for the Handicapped and Disabled where she attended daily adult day care.While talking with five young women about the Lord, Mother excited them so much about God’s Word; they began a Saturday evening bible discussion at her home on Boarman Avenue. God increased the attendance at the bible discussion as others were told of the wonderful, spiritual time they were having.In 2002, Mother McNair joined the New Galilee Church of God in Christ Jesus Apostolic Faith, Inc. family under the pastorate of Elder Eula Frazier. Her favorite message to the congregation was “we must get the Word of God in our hearts.” She was an active member of ministerial staff of the church. Mother initiated and inspired the mothers and all who desired to join in Sunday morning prayer following Sunday school. She loved Sunday school and bible class. She was faithful in her attendance, and disliked missing service. She is loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Mother was a woman of wisdom and grace.Cherishing precious memories of her is one son, James (of Barton, Florida; two daughters, Joyce Nelson and Hannah McNair; one daughter-in-law, Johnnie (of Barton, Florida); one son-in-law, Leonard Nelson; ten grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, many spiritual at adopted children, church families, friends and associates.

Tributes

Berthenia McNair

June 29, 1922 - May 4, 2005