Mother Bertha L. Waddy

Mother Bertha Waddy was born on November 21, 1950, in Pulaski county, IL to the late Leroy Anderson and Mother Zillie Woodard. She peacefully received her heavenly wings on February 7, 2026, at the age of 75 years.

Mother Waddy was a graduate of Century High School, Class of 1968. In 1969, she was united in holy matrimony to Dr. Freddie M Waddy, Sr., in Pulaski, IL. Their union was blessed with fourteen children six sons and eight daughters. For 52 years, she stood faithfully beside her husband, serving not only as his wife but as his partner in ministry and life.

Saved at the age of ten at Jacob's Temple Church in Sandusky, IL, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Later, she received the gift of the Holy Ghost at Bibleway Church in Pulaski, IL.

After graduating from high school, Missionary Waddy furthered her education at the Vocational School in Carterville, IL. She later attended Shawnee Community College, where she earned both an Associate of Applied Science and an Associate of Arts Degree. Continuing her academic journey, she enrolled at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation.

Her dedication to service extended beyond the church into her professional life. She worked at Shawnee Community College as an Early Childhood Teacher, served as a Substitute Teacher at Meridian Elementary and High School, and worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor at Delta Center in Cairo, IL. God had blessed her tremendously with wisdom, perseverance, and achievement.

Mother Bertha Waddy was a licensed Evangelist Missionary who faithfully served in ministry for 51 years. She faithfully served as First Lady of Johnson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ at Olmsted, IL. Missionary Bertha Waddy, was a woman of God, and she worked many years in ministry alongside her late husband, Dr. Freddie Waddy, Sr. She faithfully served as an Administrative Assistant's wife. She understood that true service begins with a relationship with God. The theme, "Holy Women in the Spotlight," beautifully reflects her life and testimony. Missionary Waddy believed that every woman who places her trust in the Lord stands in His divine light. She often expressed that everyone who is somebody knows that a personal relationship with God is essential to pleasing Him. She boldly declared that her Redeemer lives and He lived within everything she did for her family, church, and community. The church was her life, and she loved the LORD dearly.

Her service in the church consist of being a: First Lady of Johnson Memorial Temple, Church Mother, Sunday School Superintendent, Prayer & Bible Band President, Women's Day President, State Missions President, State Vice President of the Missions Department, Delegate to the General Assembly (National), President of the State Advisory Board, Southern Region Department Secretary, Women's State Program Committee member, and State Elect Lady under Bishop Cawthorn.

Within the Lower Southern District, she served as District Elect Lady, Prayer & Bible Band President, Home & Foreign Missions worker, Assistant District Missionary, and faithfully supported the office of Superintendent/Administrative Assistant. In the Southern Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, she served as Assistant Missions President, Jurisdictional Missions President, Program Committee member, and Advisory Board member. She led clothing donation drives, nursing home visits, sanctuary repair efforts, and worked faithfully wherever she was needed-locally, district-wide, and at the state level. Missionary Waddy thanked God daily for being her personal Savior, Healer, and Deliverer, trusting always that God was watching over her.

Missionary Bertha Waddy leaves to cherish her loving memory: ten children-Elder Timothy Waddy of Villa Ridge, IL; Minister Paul Waddy of Columbus, OH; Elisabeth (Dietrich) Thompson of Mahomet, IL; Minister Freddie (Nikita) Waddy, Jr.; Minister David Waddy, Sr., both of Villa Ridge, IL; Eunice (Dennis) Fredrickson of Carbondale, IL; Ruth Waddy of Arlington, VA; Bertha D. (Ricardo) Massiah of Greenbelt, MD; Carmetha Rice of Murphysboro, IL; and Ezra (Jocelyn) Waddy of Carterville, IL, three additional sons - Maurice Hurt, Alton (Bettie) Gibson, and Tyson W.
Schilling.

She also leaves her beloved siblings: Patricia (John- deceased) Polk, George Holland Jr., Lee Otis (Stephanie)

Holland, Willie (Crystal) Holland, Albert (Marshelia) Holland, Gloria Johnson, Marcella Holland, Leona Holland, Mrs. Brenda A. Brown, Pearl Anderson, Winifred A. Cawthon, Loretta A. Johnson, Janice A. Pryor, Pamela A. Hopkins (Darryl), Leroy Anderson Jr., Billy Anderson (Cathy), Winfred Anderson, L.A. Anderson (Helen), Nikita V. Anderson (Kelly), Michael Wright and surviving Uncle John Woodard; 18 grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, church family, and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Freddie Waddy Sr. and
cherished daughter, Queen Esther Waddy.

She was blessed with 18 grandchildren: Jade Waddy, Jasmine Waddy, Jewel Toliver, Joy Brown, Paul Waddy Jr., Alexander Thompson, Ariana Waddy, Austin Waddy, Xavier Waddy, Brayden Waddy, David Waddy Jr., Joshua Waddy, Nathan Waddy, Isaac Fredrickson, Caleb Fredrickson, James Aikens, Iyona Newell, Remy Pokojski along with a host of nieces (2 deceased), nephews (1 deceased), great-nieces, great- nephews, great-great nieces, church family, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Mother Waddy's life was a shining testament to faith, perseverance, education, services and leadership. Mother Bertha Waddy testimony is a reflection of 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". Her legacy of prayer, service, and holiness
will continue to live on through the lives she touched and the generations she inspired. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." - Matthew
25:23

Services for Mother Bertha L. Waddy will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Christ Temple C.O.G.I.C. in Cairo. IL. Visitation is scheduled to begin @ 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Funeral service will begin @ 11:00 A.M. with Administrative Assistant Supt. Dr. Larry Lee, Sr. Officiating and Minister Willie Holland Eulogist. Internment will follow in the Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, IL.

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