Minnie B. Ames

Minnie Blanche Ames, the eldest daughter of the late John Wesley and Lucinda Hinton Cooper, was born on August 10, 1920 in Easton, Maryland. On May 27, 2012, God called her to be absent from her earthly body to be present with Him. Sister Ames was raised and educated in Talbot County, Maryland. At the age of eighteen she moved to Ocean City, Maryland to find gainful employment. After the season ended, she then came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1939 to again find suitable employment for ladies of color. She worked as a nurse’s maid, lady valet, and an elevator operator for the United States Marine Hospital during World War II. At the age of seventeen, she met her lifelong friend and after his return from a tour of duty in the Military married him, the late Reverend James K. Ames on May 29, 1948. They were blessed with two children, Linda and James Jr. Sister Ames was an excellent baker, her oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, and delicious cakes were eaten by many. On holidays and many occasions family and friends were always lovingly invited to dine at their table. After ten years of being a stay at home mom, Sister Ames sought employment as a substitute teacher at the Matthew Henson Elementary School #29, where her children attended. During this time she was offered a permanent position as a teacher’s aide. Always wanting to make an investment into the lives of children, she was also an active member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She retired from the School System in 1984 after being diagnosed with breast cancer of which she was a 28 year survivor. She was truly a survivor, because after she began losing her sight in the early 80’s to glaucoma it did not hinder from caring for her mother, husband, and her youngest brother during their terms of aging and sickness. Sister Ames’ relationship with the Lord began during her early childhood as she attended the Sunday School classes and worship services with her family at the Deshields Methodist Church in Talbot County. Desiring to serve the Lord and embracing the doctrines of her husband she joined the Calvary Baptist Church, and was baptized in 1948 under the leadership of the late Reverend Aaron Townsend. Sister Ames in obedience to the scripture “Feed My Lambs” (John 21:15) served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for little children for many years, as well as a worker for Calvary’s Day Nursery. She was also a servant of the Lord as she stood on her post as an usher. Upon the completion of her nursing studies at the St. Paul School, and at the request made to her by the late Dr. Lorenzo Graves, she started the first health ministry of Calvary, then known as The Julie Reed Nursing Society in honor of the former first lady, Julia Reed. As an individual and as a member of Calvary’s Missionary Ministry she was a helpmate to her husband as he evangelized the neighborhoods. She was an on-hands present help to many, providing nursing skills as well as doing household chores for the sick convalescing at home or to the shut-ins in the nursing homes. For over 50 years Sister Ames served as a deaconess in every aspect of the title. Many young girls and women alike were encouraged and enriched by the godly examples she exhibited. At the appropriate age she joined the Prime Age Ministry always wanting to give of her best and be involved to the fullest. When her sight began to weaken she acquired readers for the lessons for this ministry’s Bible studies so that she could participate. Her loving, kind and giving spirit will always reside in the hearts and minds of her son, James K. Ames, Jr.; daughter, Linda Ames Massey; son-in-law, Richard; one grandson, Matthew Allen-Ames; one sister-in-law, Aramenta Cooper; two god-children, Patricia Blake Parker and Lisa Evans Reed; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a very dear friend.

Tributes

Minnie B. Ames

August 10, 1920 - May 27, 2012