Mother Ethelyn Ming

Mother Ethelyn Smith Ming went home to be with the Lord on October 23, 2021 at the blessed age of 89 years. She was born December 2, 1931 in Alabama to Eddie and Melissa (Jackson) Smith.

Mother Ming was a fun-loving prayer warrior, full of laughter, and was a very active member of Word of Faith International Ministries. She served as a Church Mother, and she loved helping her pastor preach. Mother Ming was best known for her kisses and hugs and telling you “I will pray for you, and you pray for me.” She was a nursing assistant in Cleveland, Ohio, Saginaw and Alabama. In 1985 she moved back to Alabama to take care of her parents until they passed, returning to Saginaw in 2011.

Mother Ethelyn Ming leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Marica Ming of California, Barbara (Charles) Clemons, Saginaw, Anita Steward, Chicago, Illinois; son, Jerrold Ming, Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Crystal Wilkerson and Charles R. Clemons, Saginaw, Michigan, Lisa Merriweather, California, Remington Stewart, Chicago, Illinois, Nikki Ming, Cleveland, Ohio, and Dante Foley; sixteen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jimmye (Milton) Hagins; three nieces; seven nephews; special cousin, Alma Brewton; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Smith; special nephew, Charles Voltz, and special friends, Shirley Davis, Alice Brown, Patricia Lamar, Dr. Byron and Minister Chestermae Hayes.

Preceding Mother Ming in death were her parents, Eddie and Melissa Smith, grandson, Anthony Wilkerson, sisters, Ella Mae Voltz, Gwendolyn Hobbs, brothers, Robert Smith, Eddie “Sonny” Smith, Jr., and Luther Charles Smith.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Joe and the staff at Pace, Bavarian Comfort Care, A&D Hospice, Dr. Byron and Minister Chestermae Hayes, the Mothers’ Board of Word of Faith International Ministries, and the Word of Faith Church Family, Traci Westrick, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.