Irene Frederick

-Irene Frederick was a devoted Christian. God was first in her life. Her children were her next priority, and she worked hard to set them on the right path. Each day she followed her Lord’s noble example. She took the duties of motherhood seriously. She thought of others before herself, and she constantly looked for new ways to help her family, friends and community.

With the end of the Great War, thousands of soldiers returned to their civilian lives back home. The economy prospered as industry boomed to meet the new demands of a peacetime nation. In this time of good fortune, Wesley Love and his wife Julia Hicks discovered an additional reason to celebrate. They were expecting a child, and on December 6, 1924 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their daughter Rena.

Rena was born in Drew, Mississippi where her parents worked as sharecroppers on a cotton plantation. The fourth of seven children, she grew up with the company of her many brothers and sisters. Rena was raised on two principles: hard work and the Christian faith. As a child Rena worked in the fields, picking cotton alongside her mother. Her family was poor and she left school after the third grade, to work full-time to help with expenses. Although there was very little money, her mother emphasized the value of a Christian upbringing.

As a young girl, her Christian faith would soon be tested because she became very sick. She would often say, "I was nothing but skin and bone, and when I would drink water it felt like it was running down my back, that's how close my stomach was to my back; you could count the bones in my hands."

While lying on her death bed one day her mother had two important visitors. First visitor was a doctor which gave Rena no hope, he stated to her mother "if she is still here tomorrow give her some more of these pills" shook his head and walked out of the door. The next visitor was one of the deacons from the church who was visiting her mother for prayer and tea. Just before he was about to leave, Rena's younger sister Mary, made the suggestion that the deacon come in and pray for her. Because they were taught never to interrupt, Rena said, "no don't ask." Mary didn't listen, she asked him anyway and he quickly agreed. When he came into the room he pressed himself between the bed and the wall, laid hands on her and begin to pray but only spoke three words, Glory-Glory-Glory! Rena said that "that Glory hit me in the top of my head and ran through the bottom of my feet". Rena was healed immediately!

After proclaiming her miracle and through lots of love, she begin to regain her strength. And at the age of fifteen (15) she fell in love, and married her first husband James (Mack) Frederick, where they began a life and a family as share croppers. Share cropping went fine for a while, but after their first full season of share cropping the plantation owner decided to cheat them. After the harvest was in, it was time to get paid; this was one of the happiest times for Rena, because her husband Mack had her spoiled her to the point that if there were any extra money, he would stop by the store and buy her favorite two snacks, which were a pickle and a peppermint stick, which together cost five cents. With great anticipation she stared out the window for his return. And as she saw him coming, she knew something was wrong, this time was not like other times. There was no big smile, no bag behind his back, why, because there was no pay! After what they thought was their best season ever, the plantation owner told them that they had broke even. Rena went crazy, and after baling all night, she demanded that her husband get her out of Mississippi and quick. She stated, "I don't want my children (Leatrice & Vera) to have to grow up working for these white folk for nothing."

In 1945 Rena left the plantation. Although they did not have money for the complete trip, miraculously they made it to Chicago. Finally arriving in the big city, she felt that the name Rena was to country for her, therefore she changed her name to Irene. After a short stay there, she moved to Ypsilanti, MI to visit family and friends. Not much later she returned to Chicago were she lived for 20 years. After having her second son, she was reminded of the tragic lost of her first son. She now was threatened with the fear of raising her second son in the big city. The best way she knew to do that, was to join the church. With her son that she loved so much, now 3 yrs. old, she went on a 2 week fast. During that fast God saved her and filled her with the Holy Ghost right there in her living room. Being raised from a child in the Church of God in Christ, under the late Bishop C.H Mason, naturally she would return to this Church.

Her mother (Julia Love) favorite passage was proverbs 22:6. (Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it). Through her mothers teachings she was taught to fast, pray, feed the hungry and take in the poor and homeless. She was taught to seek out the Lord everyday of her life, and that she did. She started regularly attending shut ins, revivals .esp. those of the Bro. Freeman and Evangelist A.A. Allen. Irene soon placed her membership with the Elder Barrett (C.O.G.I.C.) After the passing of Pastor Barrett, she join her brothers church, St. Mary (C.O.G.I.C.) under the Rev. Elder. Ellerton. As an Evangelist, the Lord used her faithfully, moving her now to Landmark (C.O.G.I.C) where the Elder. Robert Howard was pastor. She continued her membership at Landmark until she moved back to Michigan in 1968.

On April 04, 1968 the world was told that Martin Luther King jr. had been assassinated; the next day the United States was on fire. Chicago was no exception. Chicagoans were looting, robbing and burning in protest of the tragic death of a man that had committed his entire life to non-violence. And as violence escalated and moved closer to Irene's home, she naturally became concerned about the safety of her young children esp. her son Ray Charles. Eager to get out of Chicago she contacted her brother in-law that resided in Ypsilanti, MI which pastured a Church in Battle Creek and after explaining her concerns to him, he offered to let her move into his Battle Creek Church; she gracefully excepted.

With her 3 youngest children (Ray, Carolyn, and Sandra) she was now living in Battle Creek; somewhere she had never been and had no kin, but she knew that God had work for her to do in Battle Creek, MI. Right behind the Church was a house on the City's list to be torn down. Irene made a few calls and before long she had negotiated a deal to renovate the old broken down place. For most women this would have been a unthinkable task, but not for her. Irene, with hardly no help at all, returned that place to its original beauty. The very next year 1969 her hard work paid off. She was blessed with her second husband, Rev. Samual l. Handy and the birth of her third son, which was the first child born in the county that year (1970) Stephen D. Handy.

Now at the age of 45 she took on her new responsibilities as a good soldier. She was also spiritually strengthen, that she and her new husband went on to Co-Pastor the (Old Way Of Holiness C.O.G.I.C.) until a pastor friend, the Rev. Williams announced that the Lord had lead him to purchase some undeveloped property in Tennessee; to work the land and build a church. Pastor Williams ask the Handy's did they want to be a part of it, but added that it would be very hard work. That was right up Irene's alley. Along with her family, which included some of her grandchildren, she was on board, being one of the first settlers of what became known as (The Valley). Although she was far from Mississippi, she remained that child working in the fields from sunrise to sunset. Hard work had become second nature. She was focused, meticulous and eternally busy. In addition to her many jobs there, she was an active member in her congregation.

After the lost of her husband she returned to Battle Creek and continued her life as an evangelist. Yet again the lord Blessed her with her third husband Frank Mitchell, the father of her middle children. Irene was continually blessed and in the twilight of her life, she was lead to write a book to the church. She wrote as God lead. Irene was no stranger to writing, often she would write for months at a time. Although she had little formal education, through out her life, she wrote many messages and also would write her children and grandchildren Easter poems. Knowing that her time to go be with the Lord was near, she decided to move from Battle Creek to Inkster, MI. to finish her last writing and to be near her daughters Contina and Sandra. After about 3 months, her work was done. Irene was admitted in a local hospital and after five days she died surrounded by family and friends.

Irene was blessed with seven wonderful children of her own, Leatrice, Kelly James, Vera, Ray Charles, Carolyn, Sandra, and Stephen. Three adopted children, Dwayne, Contina and Angela. As a mother, Irene revisited that all-important proverb: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old' he will not depart from it.” therefore she took the responsibility of motherhood seriously, because she knew that the futures of her children depended on the lessons that she taught them at an early age. Through her tireless example, she demonstrated the value of hard work and dedication. By raising her children in the church, she introduced them to the Lord’s teachings and the redemption that he offered. Some might say she was an overprotective mom, though her heart was always in the right place. She would often say "If you let the devil ride, sooner or later he's going to want to drive."

In Battle Creek she worked for Roberts Packaging Cookie company. Irene was an active member of her community, always at the service of her neighbors. Ever the maternal figure, she opened her house to many foster children over the years. She also worked in the kitchen at Washington Heights Church, where she prepared meals for the students and the elderly. Irene Frederick loved the Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.). She had a evangelistic calling which enabled her to attend and join many churches. An active congregant, she served as Co-Pastor, Missionary, Church Mother, Sunday School Teacher, and Y.P.W.W Teacher. She also played the drums and played the tambourine with vigor.

Irene's community service is best exemplified in the park that she built on Cherry Street. The creation of this park did not only demonstrate her commitment to her community; it also points to her character. No matter the obstacles, Irene could always envision a better future. In this case, the two houses next to Irene’s had burned down, leaving behind an expanse of charred land. Irene took it upon herself to transform this desolation into a beautiful park, equipped with swing-sets, a basketball court, and benches, for which in 1993 she won the George Award! With her own shovel and rake, she worked this charred land back to its former glory. She was as tireless as that young girl in the cotton fields, invigorated with purpose. Her goal was simple: she wanted to create a place where her family and community could come to play and have fun together.

Irene embraced the Bible, and she eagerly shared its message with everyone. She was a natural mother who worked hard to guide her children down the right path. She deeply loved her family, and she was the happiest when they all came together under her roof for Christmas dinner where she made many dishes, not to mention her homemade ice cream and sweet potato pies which made everyone feel special. She did this for 40 years straight.

Irene Frederick went on to be with the Lord on November 30, 2007. She is survived by 5 Children: Leatrice Dunklin, of Battle Creek; Vera (Robert) Small, of Battle Creek; Ray Charles (Sharon) Frederick, of Battle Creek; Carolyn Frederick, of Inkster; Sandra Washington, of Ann Arbor; one adopted son Dwayne Frederick, of Inkster; two adopted daughters; Contina Frederick-Wells of Inkster, MI Angela Frederick, of Detroit, MI. one brother Elder (AB) Love, of Chicago, IL; a spiritual daughter Jane Morgan of Kalamazoo; 22 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family. Special friend of the family Debra Jamison.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Wesley and Julia Love; Three husbands: Mack Frederick, Rev. Samual Handy and Frank Mitchell. Brother: Jerry Henderson; sisters: Vera Bailey, Annie D Wells, Mary Robinson, Rosie Harris. One Aunt, Susie Walker. two sons: Kelly James and Stephen D. Handy; One grandson, Mar'Quavier Frederick. Funeral service was held on Irene’s birthday, Thursday, Dec 6, 2007. Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Among the many people whose hearts and lives she touched,

Irene will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant.