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21MAY 2015BODY OF CHRIST NEWS On April 23 1917 Curtis was delivered into the loving arms of William and Mattie Cato in Mansfield LA. He was surrounded by five sis- ters and one brother who shared their childhood in love learning and growth. Being born in the South in 1917 Curtiss life was full of both challenges and victories. He witnessed great progress in the world. He experienced the beginning of the common use of electricity indoor bathrooms auto- mobiles televisions computers home phones to cell phones. He endured segregation Jim Crow the Civil Rights movement and rejoiced in the election of our first African American President. His lifelong passion was to lead people to safety and in doing so he brought his family trip after trip out of the south. However through it all he was a man clearly grounded in the word and work of God. Curtis married Evelyn Grace and to this union three children were born Curtis Jr. Zanita and Willie. He and Evelyn shared 62 long loving years together guiding their children and building a wonderful life together until her passing. On September 13 2000 Curtis and Iris Williams were joined in holy matrimony. They served faith- fully as co-shepherds of Grace Temple Church of God In Christ building Gods Kingdom. Curtis worked for DC Trucking as a mechanic for many years. He freely used the knowledge he gained to serve the church. He drove the church bus to conventions and picked up mem- bers for Sunday school. He was able to help keep the bus on the road while allowing those without transportation to attend worship services. Pastor Curtis Cato Sr. was an anointed man of God. He loved the Lord and he loved teaching and preaching His Word. Pastor Cato graduated from Charles Mason Bible College in Memphis TN. He served as Pastor of Grace Temple COGIC for 34 years and District Sunday School Superintendent for the Metropolitan District for 27 years. Acts 2027-28 says For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God... the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God which he hath pur- chased with his own blood. Pastor Cato was known as Mr. Sunday School for his 55 years of educating the local body of believers and the work with the International Churches of God In Christ. He was instrumental in leading many souls to the knowledge and belief in Christ as well as guiding believers into a deeper understanding of Gods word. II Timothy 215 Study to show thyself approved unto God a work- man that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. He was a wise teacher profound gospel preacher and a cheerful giver. He dedicated his life to God and the service of the people of God. He was a humble servant kind gentle with a warm sense of humor. He had style grace and most of all he reflected the love of God. Pastor Cato received many acknowledgments honors and awards for his dedication perseverance faithfulness and integ- rity. In 2014 he received two awards he was the first recipient of the D.J. Young Award given by Bishop Alton Golden Superintendent of the COGIC International Sunday School depart- ment and from the Jurisdiction of Colorado by Bishop Roosevelt Dunn and Superintendent Maxwell. He along with Mother Burrell led Colorado to the international church. In the winter of his life Pastor Cato never lost his passion for serving God. He was able to attend worship services on Easter Sunday and went to heaven that afternoon to celebrate the Risen Savior. Pastor Curtis Cato Sr. departed his earthly body on April 5 2015 and now resides in his heavenly mansion not made by human hands. Left to cher- ish his memory is his loving wife of 15 years Iris Cato one sister Hattie McGee San Diego CA three children Azzie Smith Mansfield LA Curtis Betty Cato Jr. and Zanita Cato nine grandchildren 43 great grandchil- dren 27 great- great grandchildren many nieces nephews church family and friends. In Matthew Chapter 5 verse 16 we find this recorded word Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. This scripture so accurately illustrates the life of Deacon John Andrew Stovall. John Andrew Stovall was born to his loving parents Andrew Perry Stovall and Rosie Henderson Stovall on March 2 1924 in McKamie Arkansas. He was one of twelve children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his four brothers Aravine Augustus Irone Lonnie and six sisters Bertha Leveda Blanche Dorater Rosetta and Shirley. There were two infant chil- dren who passed shortly after birth. They were bought up in a Christian home surrounded by loving parents who worked hard to provide for each of them. Education was extremely important to John he received his formal educa- tion in St. Louis MO where he gradu- ated from Washington Technical High School. He furthered his education by attending Tucker Business College also located in St. Louis the University of Denver Air University Montgomery AL the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey CA and the Development Training Institute in Baltimore MD. On August 21 1943 John was inducted in the United States Army. While serving his country he earned a World War II Victory Ribbon a Good Conduct Medal and a American Theater Ribbon. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. On August 2 1952 John unit- ed in holy matrimony to the former Ernestine Mildred Colbert in St. Louis MO. The couple first met when they both lived in St. Louis. She remem- bers her husband as a Christian man who was loving and caring. They have traveled to places both oversees and countless places in the United States. They truly enjoyed the special moments shared together. She also remembers her husband as a man who helped others unconditionally. When the song writer penned the words If I can help somebody as I travel along then my living shall not be in vain he must have had John Stovall in mind. At the time of his passing John and Ernestine had been married 62 years. By profession John was a Financial Manager. In 1951 he transferred to Denver Colorado from St. Louis Missouri. This was the start of an illustrious period of devotion to Federal service which would span for over thir- ty five years. He has served as Deputy Director Retired Pay Operations at the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center. He was both respected and admired by his co-workers and super- visors for his strong work ethic and attention to details. A man of faith and belief in the Lord John accepted the Lord as his personal savior when he was very young and attending worship service with his parents. Upon relocating to Denver Colorado he became a mem- ber of Zion Baptist Church in April of 1951 under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Wendell T. Liggins He became an ordained Deacon in August of 1954. His servitude to his church has spanned for over sixty years. He has served his church as a Director of the Baptist Training Union BTU Superintendent of Sunday School Chairman of the Finance Committee member of the Trustee Ministry Chairman of the Deacon Ministry Chairman of the Scholarship Committee and Chairman of the Zion Redevelopment Committee. He truly enjoyed sharing each year during the church anniversary when the 50 years plus members were honored with a banquet both he and Sister Stovall were honored for their dedication. He was instrumental in the project which created a ten story senior citizen apartment complex known as Liggins Towers and which is still currently being utilized for senior citizens. He was instrumental in forming a sixty- bed nursing home called Stovall Care Center he worked until completion of a multipurpose community center currently in operation and known as the Zion Senior Center. In 1982 the Board of Regents presented Deacon Stovall with the University of Colorado Distinguished Service Award. In 1982 Deacon Stovall came out of retirement to aid and assist in the development of the Northeast Denver Housing Center Inc. This project was started. to help develop afford- able housing and homeownership pro- grams that help low and moderate income families have access to afford- able homes. This family assistant project is currently in operation in the city and county of Denver. He was also an extremely active in the forma- tion of the Zion United Community Credit Union. He was inducted into the Colorado Credit Union Volunteer Hall of Fame. Some other civic and communi- ty activities include Deacon Stovall serving as Treasurer of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education serving for five National Baptist Congress Presidents and four National Convention Presidents. He was presented the Trusted Servant Award during the National Congress Session. He also received a 9 Who Cares Award for his dedication to service. The difference that one per- son can make is clearly discernible in reading the accomplishments of this gentle quiet Christian man whose legacy is far reaching. To God Be The Glory. He is preceded in death by his par- ents Andrew P. and Rosie Stovall siblings Bertha Hyde Deacon Aravine Stovall Leveda Campbell Deacon Augustus Stovall Dorater Lawson Irone Stovall Rosetta Peppers Blanche Patterson and Lonnie B. Stovall. A collection of your memories pre- cious times enjoyed together keep- sakes of the heart that remain with us forever. Deacon John A. Stovall departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on Thursday March 26 2015 in Denver Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife of 62 years Ernestine M. Stovall of Denver Colorado his daughter Sandra LaVerne Fowler of Las Vegas NV his sister Shirley Williams of Oakland CA 3 grandchildren Annise E. Bryan White Reginald J. Fowler and John A. Tanya Fowler all of Las Vegas NV 12 great grandchildren 3 sister-in-laws Helen Haymon Stovall Oakland CA Mary Ethel Dixon Sacramento CA Juanita Colbert New York NY and a host of nieces nephews cousins other relatives and many many friends. Pastor Curtis Cato Sr. April 231917 April 5 2015 John Andrew Stovall March 21924 March 26 2015 OBITUARIES Curtis Cato John Stovall