Effie Houston's Obituary
The funeral services for Effie Houston, 93, of Lufkin, TX, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 410 Scarborough St. Lufkin, TX. The burial will follow at the Davis Memorial Gardens. The visitation will be held at Woods Memorial Temple Church, 230 Leach St. Lufkin, TX., on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 5-7 P.M.
Effie Mae Hamilton was born January 21,1932 to the late Robert and Lela Hamilton in Woodlake, Texas along with her twin sister Ida Mae. She was the ninth or tenth of eleven children born to this union.
Effie’s formal education was in Woodlake, TX. It was here that she met the love of her life. On January 21, 1948, she married J. D. Houston. God, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to bless this union with twelve children: J. D. Jr., Barbara, Ester, Jacqueline, Carolyn, Brenda, Eric, Michael, Sandra, Don, Jacquas, and Tony.
After marriage, the family moved from the Piney Community to Moscow, TX where they joined First Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Norman Henderson. It was here that Effie Houston received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. After a few years, Effie, along with her husband and family, relocated from Moscow to Lufkin because of her husband’s new job. The family maintained their membership at First Church of God in Christ which had relocated to Lufkin.
Effie was a faithful and dedicated member of First Church of God in Christ which later became Zion Temple COGIC under the leadership of the new pastor, Elder John Woods. While attending Zion Temple, Effie developed a strong admiration for praise and worship.
Several years later, after Elder C. L. Bryant (later Bishop C. L. Bryant) established Eastside COGIC, Effie moved her membership to Eastside. The leadership later changed to Elder P. E. Bryant, Sr., and her work in the service of God’s kingdom continued. Elder P. E. Bryant was later elevated to Supt. P.E. Bryant, Sr. and in so doing, Effie received her missionary license and appointment as District Missionary of the Goodrich District, Texas South Central Jurisdiction.
While at Eastside under Supt. P. E. Bryant, Sr., now The Right Reverend Bishop P. E. Bryant, Sr. and General Board member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., she began singing and teaching the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ not only in the church, but on the radio when Bishop P. E. Bryant, Sr. was not available. She was a gospel proclaimer, a true prayer warrior and an intercessor.
Missionary Houston’s ministry continued to flourish through the changes in leadership from Bishop P. E. Bryant, Sr. to that of Pastor Arthur Latin for his brief appointment as pastor, to that of Pastor Cleveland Payne Sr. who is yet serving as pastor of Eastside. She worked with him for numerous years faithfully teaching the word of God and was a supporter of her pastor when the church moved from the Goodrich District to the Lufkin District, Texas Southeast Third Jurisdiction, thereby resigning as District Missionary.
Throughout her ministry, she served faithfully and supported the COGIC to the best of her ability, teaching and expounding the word of God to all who listened. She served with the late Supt. S. T. Thomas and the late District Missionary Thelma Charles as the secretary of the Lufkin District for several years. She also worshiped at Holy Ground COGIC in Livingston, TX under the leadership of Pastor Manuel Dunham Jr. Even more, Missionary Houston loved the Lord and praised God in song and dance as the Spirit of God moved.
As her health began to decline and her daughter became her caretaker, she placed her watch-care membership at Woods Memorial Temple COGIC under the leadership of Supt. Chester Robinson (deceased), Bishop T. T. Terry (presiding prelate of Texas Southeast Third), and finally under Pastor Earnest Delane, although Eastside COGIC was always her home.
Missionary Houston was a dedicated supporter to the numerous leaders of whom she had the privilege of serving under. She was also skilled in mathematics, a gardener with a green thumb, a great cook, and exemplified great enthusiasm in speaking about godly love. She wore many hats and drew people to her with a captivating personality that naturally attracted people. She was a diligent worker and was loved by many. She not only believed in standing for truth, but she taught truth and holiness.
Missionary Houston maintained her admiration and love for God, the people of God, and the things of God throughout her life, and even in her last years she was heard singing and praying individually and in union with others. Her love for God was so deep and powerful that the manifestation of it was visible as she actively prayed with her daughters Brenda and Sandra as she proceeded to take her last breaths. Missionary Effie Mae Hamilton Houston prayed her way through her transition from labor to reward.
Missionary Effie Houston was preceded in death by both Parents: Robert and Lela Hamilton; Husband of 65 years, Deacon J. D. Houston Sr.; Sons: Elder J. D. Jr. and Elder Don Amecha; Daughters: Jacqueline Dominique and Evangelist Carolyn Lynn; Brothers: Louis, Gratist, Ezra, and Ulysses; Sisters: Luretha, Ruth, Ida Mae, Mozell, and Eddie; grandchildren: Effae Angelic, Orlando Marcellus; and great grandchild: Halle.
She leaves to cherish her memories, Sons: Eric Allen Sr. (Julia), and Francis Michael; Daughters: Barbara Ann, Ester Ruth, Brenda Sue, and Sandra Ann; Sister: Ophelia Wortham; thirty-three grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and church family.
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