SUNRISE: SEPTEMBER 5,1925 ~ SUNSET: MAY 26,2016 Saturday, June 11,2016 12:00 Noon ST. LUKE BAPTIST CHURCH - Daisy, Georgia 30417 - Reverend C.L. Anderson, Officiating m mm Harper Funeral Home, Directing We remember, we honor and we celebrate Effie's life today; for her outlook and inner strengths, her beliefs and goodness, her unique talents and extraordinary gifts made her relationships with family, friends and all who loved her a living testimony worthy of being proclaimed by those gathered here today. Feeling enriched for having known her and so grateful for our time with her, very thankful for the way she positively affected, sincerely inspired and consistently affirmed for us, that this is how a Beautiful Life was and should be lived. On September 5,1925 the late Reverend George Washington Houston and Carrie Williams Houston welcomed the second of seven blessings, Effie Ann Houston. Effie was raised and lovingly nurtured along with her siblings in a close knit Christian family with high moral standards and a strong work ethic. Effie was practically bom in the church as the family lived just steps away from the house of worship. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and joined St. Luke Baptist Church in Daisy, Georgia. As a young adult in Miami, she reaffirmed her commitment to the Lord and placed her membership at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Upon moving to Liberty City, she joined Drake Memorial Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and worked with the Simday school. In 1984, her spiritual path led her to New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful and dedicated servant. She looked forward to Sunday service and was known for being beautifully adorned in her elegant outfits and stunning hats. She was a loyal supporter of all church programs and activities and was a member of the Women's Ministry, Willing Workers Ministry, and an active Simday school member until her health failed. Serving God was always an essential part of Effie's life and she remained groimded in her faith up until her last breath. Effie attended Dickerson Training (boarding) School in Vidalia, Georgia and received her high school diploma in 1946. A few years after graduation, she married her childhood sweetheart and to this imion they were blessed with a daughter, Gwendolyn. Sadly, her young husband died while on active duty in the navy, leaving her a widow at twenty-five. Shortly after his death she relocated to Miami, Florida to pursue better job opportunities. She worked various jobs in different fields, but having a strong desire to personally excel, being academically ambitious with a desire to advance in the work force, she enrolled in Miami Dade Community College where she earned her Associate of Arts Degree. Shortly after attaining her degree, she was hired by Richards Department Store (Downtown Miami), where she worked for seventeen years advancing from a gift wrapper to supervisor of alterations and elevator operators. In 1972, she was joined in holy matrimony to Cameron Culmer and they were blessed with 44 years of marriage. After her children were grown and while continuing to work full time, she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional and Liberal Arts from Barry University. Always an advocate for people and especially the welfare of children, she pursued avenues that would fulfill that passion. In 1973 she joined the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) as a social worker in the Children and Family Services Program, she advocated for foster care children and served as Guardian ad Litem for them in legal matters, court proceedings and placement. She worked diligently, above and beyond the call of duty for seventeen years in this career before retiring in 1990. Rest and relaxation could not fill the void that she felt for her diminished contacts and interactions with children. To fill that void she became a dedicated substitute teacher for 10 years and was sought after daily for assignments and often for long term positions. She truly loved working with young children and continued to share loving and humorous stories about them. Her deep faith and her desire to help others were driving forces in Effie's life which was evident in her passion for giving back through community service. She was a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami for ten years. As a Big Sister volxmteer, she mentored and served as a role model for two Little Sisters whom she positively impacted. She was also an active member of One Church One Child for many years which advocated for church members, one at a time, to pursue adoption of dependent children. Effie was also a proud member Iota Phi Lambda Sorority where she actively supported and participated in their many youth related projects. The battle is fought. The victory has been won and now she has entered the Master'sjoy. On Thursday, May 26, 2016 Effie Ann Houston Culmer made her spiritual transition to her eternal home to join her parents and siblings (3 sisters and a brother) who preceded her. She leaves behind a legacy filled with unconditional love and total devotion to family, church and fiiends. To cherish her memories and to celebrate her life, she leaves her husband, Cameron Culmer; devoted daughter, Gwendolyn Bryant, son, Donald Williams, sisters, Clara Roundtree (Edward) and Edwina Averette (Sammie) of Savannah Georgia, nine grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and fiiends. 23rd Psalm The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. PRESIDING..............................Reverend Vince Harrington No Limit Baptist Church Warner Robins, Ga PROCESSIONAL INVOCATION................................Evangelist Lerah Davis SCRIPTURE Old Testament.........23'^ Psalm Sis. Delieth Wright (Niece) New Testament...................Evangelist Adrienne Ricks PRAYER OF COMFORT......................Reverend Vince Harrington SELECTION...............................................Choir POEM..............Crossing The Bar Ms. Jamie Bryant (Granddaughter) MOMENTS OF REFLECTION......................(Limit to 2 minutes please) (A time to think, a time to pray and a time to reflect upon the life of Sister Eflie H. Culmer) As A Neighbor....................................Sis. Clara Brewton As a Classmate...................................Sis. Mamie F. Baker As a Family Friend...............................Sis. Helen Anderson SOLO..............................Evangelist Stella G. Stewart ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................Harper Funeral Home Staff OBITUARY.............................(read silently to music) SELECTION............................................Choir EULOGY..................................Reverend C.L. Anderson FINAL VIEWING BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL PALLBEARERS Family Members -TO Those i love- When I am gone, just release me, let me go-so I can move into my afterglow. You mustn't tie me down with your tears; let's be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love, you can only guess how much you gave me happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it's time I traveled on alone. So grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted with trust. It's only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. And then, when you must come this way alone. I'll greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home . IN Appreciation The family of the late Effie Houston Culmer wish to extend to you our heartfelt appreciation and deep gratitude for your many expressions of love and acts of kindness shown to us dining our time of bereavement. With grateful hearts, we pray that Gods blessings will sustain you as it has us; that his mercy and grace will be with you always. The Family Special thanks to Dr. Charles Shenker and staff and her caregivers for the kind, loving and compassionate care they gave our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. INTERMENT Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery Claxton, Georgia REPAST St. Luke Baptist Church Fellowship Hall HARPER FUNERAL HOME 125 Broad Street Claxton, GA *912.739.2658 TUC PRIimNG COMPANY* (305) 623-7592