Erma Harrow Homegoing Celebration Program

Pentecostal Tabernacle International Inc. March 11, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. Officiating Minister Pastor S. Robert Stewart

The Celebration Processional Senior Choir Hallelujah We Shall Rise Praise & Worship Pentab Praise Team Opening Remarks Pastor S. Robert Stewart Prayer Pastor Ansel Drummond Scripture Pastor Elvin S. Bridgewater Psalms 91 Song of Praise Congregation Great is Thy Faithfulness TRIBUTES Our Spiritual Sister Pastor Charles Mullings Our Friend & Sister Cora Smith & Lola Phillips Our Sister‌our Guide Pastor Douglas Johnson PhD (Brother) Our Grandmother Stephen Francis (Grandson) Our Mother Esther Harrow (Daughter) Special Recognition

Darlene Harrow (Daughter) My Wife Elder Cecil Harrow (Husband)

Song of Assurance Congregation The Hallelujah Side Eulogy

Anna Johnson PhD (Sister-in-law)

Message

Pastor S. Robert Stewart

Prayer for the family

Recessional He’ll Welcome Me

Elder Leonard Miller

Pentab Praise Team

Songs of Praise & Comfort Great is Thy Faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy compassion’s, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be Chorus Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me Summer and winter and springtime and harvest Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love Chorus Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Chorus

The Hallelujah Side Once a sinner far from Jesus I was perishing without hope But the blessed Savior heard me when I cried Then He threw His arms around me and He led me to His fold, Now I’m living on the hallelujah side Chorus O glory be to Jesus let the hallelujahs roll Help me ring the Savior’s praises far and wide For I’ve opened up toward Heaven all the windows of my soul And I’m living on the hallelujah side Here the sun is always shining here the sky is always bright, There’s no place for gloomy Christians to abide; For my soul is filled with music and my heart with great delight, Now I’m living on the hallelujah side.

Chorus And upon the streets of glory when we reach the other shore We’ll have safely crossed the Jordan’s rolling tide You will find me shouting “Glory, Glory, Glory, Glory” Just outside my mansion door When I’m living on the hallelujah side Chorus

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

1 Corinthians 15:19

Erma’s Journey of Service and Love

E

rma Faye Harrow was born on September 9, 1934 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to parents, Beatrice and Edward Johnson. She was the eldest of ten children. As a child, she attended Spanish Town Elementary School (Barracks School) and Jackson’s Progressive High School (Private school), where she completed her general studies. After her general studies, she attended and graduated from Fitz-Henley Commercial School in Spanish Town where she excelled in typing and shorthand.

Serving Jesus Erma grew up in the Anglican Church. In the 1950’s her mother started attending All Saints Apostolic Church, Spanish Town, under the leadership of the late Bishop Norman Walters. Erma got baptized, and shortly thereafter, received the gift of the Holy Ghost. As a young believer, she regularly attended church and sang in the choir.

Devoted to Husband & Family At the age of eighteen, Erma married the love of her life, Cecil Harrow. The newlyweds settled in Spanish Town where they remained close to family. Erma developed as a loving wife and mother. She prided herself in taking the best care of her family.

She became an excellent cook and baker, and enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and sewing during her spare time.

That union produced eight children (five girls and three boys).

Her two eldest daughters, Yvonne and Deva, preceded her in death. We can only imagine that reunion.

In the late 1960’s Cecil, her beloved husband accepted a job opportunity in the US Virgin Islands and Erma soon travelled for short periods to visit him there. While there, she was very involved in the local church. Upon completion of his contract, Erma returned to Jamaica to care for the family while her husband migrated to Florida to prepare for the family’s arrival. Shortly thereafter, Erma, along with the children, settled in Miami.

Kingdom Service First on her agenda was to find a place of worship, so the family visited many churches, but finally settled at the United Pentecostal Church of Hollywood. The late Florence Swinford served as Pastor. The family remained there for several years. Eventually, they began worshiping at Bethel Apostolic Temple, and afterwards at Mt Zion Apostolic Temple in Miami. As a founding member of Mt. Zion, Erma was elevated to the position of Evangelist and was active as a Sunday school teacher, preaching at times and often shared her love of singing with the rendering of hymns.

Erma was active in various other church related activities including the mid-day prayer warriors group, visiting the elderly and praying for the sick. She was an amazing hostess, who along with her husband housed and cared for many friends and family members while they visited the United States. It seemed that no one that requested their assistance was ever turned away.

For the last several years until her passing, Erma and family were members of Pentecostal Tabernacle of North Miami, Inc. under the leadership of Pastor S. Robert Stewart. While there, she was one of the founding members of the Women’s Fellowship where she served until she was no longer able. She was also active in the Prayer and Seniors ministries.

Preparation for Service

Toastmasters - Erma and her husband became active members of Toastmasters of Miami Lakes where she was able to fine-tune her public speaking ability.

Education - Erma obtained a Master’s degree from Christian Liberty Academy Bible College and Theological Seminary.

Serving the Community Employment - Shortly after her arrival in Florida, she gained employment at a Taxidermy Company where she remained for several years. She eventually returned to school and successfully completed the Unit Secretary’s course and worked at a local hospital. Her skills as a typist served to be quite useful in that position. Due to illness, she made a decision to leave that job. Erma soon returned to being full-time mother and homemaker, which she loved most of all. During that time she was asked to care for a baby, that soon became a business; and for the next several years she cared for many children of family and friends. She had the unique and wonderful privilege in helping to mold young lives. She prayed for them, and taught them choruses and bible verses.

Volunteer work - Erma and her husband enjoyed visiting, praying for and encouraging the individuals they got to meet on their regular visits to the Vitas Hospice.

Well Done Good & Faithful Servant

On February 22, 2017, surrounded by family, Erma transitioned from this life at Miami Jewish Center. She is survived by her dearly devoted and loving husband, Cecil, their six children, Darlene, Conrad (Donna), Clyde (Selena), Christopher (Linda), Grace and Esther, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Also, three sisters (Gloria, Eula, Winsome), six brothers (Sylvester, Owen, Henry, Leslie, Alvin, Douglas), many nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws. She will be missed by a host of family and friends.

The Journey of a Lifetime IN THE BEGINNING… We said “I do” and We Did!

…And I Traveled With My Love By My Side

It Was A Wonderful Journey of Love Love is a many splendored thing It’s the April rose that only grows in the early Spring Love is nature’s way of giving a reason to be living The golden crown that makes a man a king He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(1 John 4:8)

Remembering Grandma Submitted by Amber Harrow

God looked around his garden And found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, He knew that you were in pain.

He knew that you would never Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough And the hills were hard to climb.

So He closed your weary eyelids And whispered “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you But you did not go alone…

For part of us went with you The day God called you home.

by Wendy Bradley

Remembering Sister Erma Submitted by Winsome Stevens (sister)

On behalf of the siblings we want to thank the Lord for the time he gave us as a family. We had good times and bad, but most of all we had love and respect for each other. Sis Erma you will be missed a lot.

Pictures

Pictures

Our Mother - A Virtuous Woman Proverbs 31:10-31 Amplified Bible

An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?

Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence], And he will have no lack of gain.

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil All the days of her life.

She looks for wool and flax And works with willing hands in delight.

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure]; She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And assigns tasks to her maids.

She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently]; With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] And makes her arms strong.

She sees that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

She opens and extends her hand to the poor, And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

She does not fear the snow for her household, For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.

Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them; And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

She looks well to how things go in her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.”

Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.

Give her of the product of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].

Acknowledgments The family of the late Mrs. Erma Faye Harrow wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, and prayers shown to them during their time of bereavement.

May the Lord bless and keep you!

The Harrow Family

Pall Bearers Conrad Harrow (Son) Christopher Harrow (Son) Shawn King (Grandson)

Clyde Harrow (Son) Stephen Francis (Grandson) Douglas Johnson (Brother)

Professional Services & Interment

Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens 14200 NW 57th Avenue Miami Lakes, FL 33014 305-821-1421

Repast

Pentecostal Tabernacle Banquet Hall 18415 NW 7th Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33169

Program Layout & Design

Annette Taylor-Spence - AnnT Spence Consulting Inc. Shawn Ferguson - Gracious Grafx Studios www.GraciousGrafx.com 954-515-9016

Printing

Pentecostal Tabernacle International, Inc. www.PenTab.org • (305) 651-9696

Mom Has Joined The Heavenly Choir…

When you have sung your last song on earth, the angels will usher you home.

The pool of angels grew by one as the Lord saw fit to take my mom home.

Even with a heavy heart, I’m rejoicing knowing she has joined the heavenly choir.

Sing for Jesus as you sung on earth, lift up your voice and sing as the angels do.

Let the heavenly host rejoice, one more saint has made it home.

RIP mom, we miss and love you.

(Clyde Harrow) …loved ones are waiting there

Won’t we have a time, when we get over yonder.

‘Till we meet again…