But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…Isaiah 40:31

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 11 a.m. in Little Providence Baptist Church for Gwendolyn Sellers-Bridges, 90, of Catahoula Community.

The Rev. Wilfred T. Mayfield will officiate at the service, the Rev. Kevin Hart, Pastor.

Gwendolyn Carmen Sellers was born to the proud parents of Mr. Willie and Evangeline Sellers on October 31, 1920. As the oldest of eleven children, she had the dual responsibility of helping to raise the other siblings and help her father, Mr. Willie Sellers to work the fields at the same time.

Gwendolyn joined Little Providence at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. Newkirk. In her young adult life Sister Gwendolyn joined Hebron Baptist Church of Carriere, and was an active member of the church. She supported the young children through the Star Lite Mission, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She later became a member of Annunciation Catholic Church. She attended the local school and took full advantage of all that it offered.

At the age of twenty she met and married her first love Wilfred Lee Mayfield, who preceded her in death. During this union three children were born: Wilfred, Linda, and Barbara. Several years later Gwendolyn married Bennie Bridges and from that union her last child Earline was born. During her tenure in Carriere, she met wonderful people and made lifelong friends such as Ms. Dixie Whitehead and Ms. Mollie Jackson.

After an extended illness on May 2, 2011 at 12:45, God dispatched His angel to take her on home. One daughter, Linda preceded her in death August 23, 2005.

She leaves to mourn: a son, the Rev. Wildred T. Mayfield, (Joyce) of Holly Springs, Miss.; two daughters, Dr. Barbara Coatney, (George) and Earline Bridges of Jackson, Miss.; four sisters, Helen Hampton of Catahoula, Rosamond Nervis of Houston, Texas, Ethelyn “Cathy” (Johnnie Ray) Williamson, and Lillie Kimble of Santa Ana, Calif.; one brother, Dr. Franklin Sellers of Carson, Calif.; and a special nephew, Ercell Sellers of Fontana, Calif.; several great cousins; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Gwendolyn will always be remembered for her kindness and love for her children and the children of others. She only had four children and 13 grandchildren but was instrumental in raising over 70 children in her lifetime. She never said no to a parent of a baby no matter what the race or sex. It never made a difference if the child was sick or well, clothes or no clothes, she always would say, “God will make a way”. If there is a nursery in heaven, my mom will be working in it.

Visitation will be Friday, May 6, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Brown Funeral Home Chapel, 1011 Rosa Street, Picayune, (601) 798-4469 and Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Little Providence Baptist Church.

Brown Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.