Mother Eva H. Wade

Mother Eva Wade entered the material world on March 25, 1921. She was born to the late Alexander and Cora (Smith) Hancock in the small town of Pen hook, Virginia. She did not come alone, but she was accompanied by her twin sister, Keva Hancock Fralin, who entered eternal rest in 2001. Mother Eva Wade was the last surviving sibling to this union. Mother Wade's mother passed away when she was only 11 years old, so she, her sister and a younger brother, Wali Amin were raised by their father. As a young child she was not able to complete her education, but the Lord blessed her to get her High School Diploma in the 1980's.
Mother Wade was united in marriage to the late Charlie R.L. Wade in December 1947. From this union she bore ten children, presently, three are deceased and seven are living. Mother Wade worked on the farm, growing and canning her foods, making her children's clothes, and tending to the animals. It was while she was milking her cow that she received the revelation that the baptism in Jesus Name was correct. In 1946, Mother Wade attended a revival in Penhook, conducted by Mother Dickerson. She went up for prayer and Mother Dickerson told her, "God Loves You" she said that statement created such a good feeling in her and remained with her. On a Friday night in 1952 Mother Eva Wade received the Holy Ghost and she was baptized that Sunday, which was Mother's Day, in the name of Jesus. One of Mom's favorite sayings is "Thank God for Jesus!" Mom said, when God reveals something to you, no one can take it from you."
Mother Wade relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut, during the great migration, her husband got a job at Sikorsky Aircraft painting helicopters. In December 1960, the family relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is here, where Mother Eva Wade joined Emmanuel Church of Christ, pastored by the late Elder Arthur Anderson, on Seaview Avenue. The Lord blessed her to raise eight children, work as a domestic and serve in many capacities in the church. She was a woman of few words, but she had strong leadership ability. She served on the Usher Board for 28 years as treasurer and as secretary. She was the Vice President of the Pastor's Aid for 13 years, the president of the Senior Choir for 13 years. She was appointed to the Mother's Board in 1982 and served as president for 12 years. Mother Wade served as a senior Missionary for many years, she loved to tarry with souls.
Mother Eva Wade had the gifts of help, she was an extraordinary fund raiser. She raised many thousands of dollars to aid the church in its development. She and Charlie would serve dinners from their home, sell candy and my mom's best in the whole wide world sweet potato pies. She sponsored trips to the Holy Convocation, so that the young people could attend. One of the young people received the gift of the Holy Ghost while attending the Convocation in Baltimore, Maryland. She made choir robes for the children's choir, and she made kneeling cushions for prayer. Her hands were always busy.
If there is a scripture that identifies Mother Eva Wade, as she coursed through life it is, " don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing," Matthew 6:3. Mother Wade has done many things for many people that we may never know about. If she had programs, she brought tickets for people who were unable to buy for themselves. She worked as a domestic until she was 80 years old. During these years, she always had something to give where she saw a need. Blessed is the giver, the Lord blessed her with many children, long life, and no want for material things. The Lord who sees in secret will reward openly. As she said the Wednesday before she passed, "who would have ever thought that I would live to see 103 years, I'm telling you God is so good!
She leaves to cherish her many-many memories, four daughters: Barbara Stokes-Powell (care-giver) Oxford, CT; Jeanette Wyatt (Otis) Pacifica, California; Margaret Rose (Willard) Bridgeport, CT; Lisa Mills (Reginald) Liberty Township, Ohio; three sons: Robert Wade (Chinnetta), Bridgeport, CT; Raymond Waide, Waterbury, CT; Joseph Waide (Nancy) Milford, CT; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a host nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie Robert Lee Waide, her daughter and "running buddy" Cora McIntosh Belcher, her son Ronald Barry, and her daughter Harriet Marie.