Mother Bertha L. Hines

Mother Bertha Hines, affectionately known by her siblings as “HONEY”, was born July 25, 1923, in Ripley Mississippi to William Hunter Gunn and Mattie Selmon Gunn. Her father, Hunter Gunn, instilled a ‘strict work ethic early in life of all his children. Mother’s chores included housework as well as working outdoors. Mother was raised in the Baptist Church in Mississippi. As a young lady she married the Pastor’s son, John Henderson Hines, a soldier in the U.S. Army. In the private sector, Mother’s first job was working as an Elevator Attendant working at the now famous Peabody Hotel. The family eventually moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where three of her four children were born. While in Indiana, Mother Hines was filled with the Holy Ghost as a member of Triumph Church of God in Christ. It is there where she learned the scripture: Jesus said… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall NEVER DIE. St. John 11: 25 – 26, (KJV). In 1955 Mother Hines and family moved to Denver. The family united with the Ogden Street Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of the late Bishop Smith. In the year 1974 Mother accepted the Apostolic Doctrine and was Baptized in the Name of Jesus, by the late Bishop Roland Martin. It was then that she joined the Zion Temple Church, where her (then teen-age) son Raymond was already an active member. As a member of Zion Temple, Mother worked on the Usher Board: sang in the Sanctuary and Senior Choirs; worked on the Outreach Team; and was a faithful member of the Prayer Band. Mother was indeed a Prayer Warrior! There were many nights in her home where she could be heard crying out to the Lord and praying in tongues. Mother covered her family in prayer. One of her favorite scriptures was “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” Psalm 23. One of her notable accomplishments was the establishment of the Zion Temple Food Pantry. The Lord impressed her to approach Bishop Martin with her vision, and with his blessing the Food Pantry was organized - allowing Zion to minister to the less fortunate and underserved. Mother loved helping and assisting those in need. She worked in Nursing Service at both General Rose Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. After 30 years of service she retired in 1996. Another of her noteworthy accomplishments was obtaining her GED while she was in her 40’s. She also attended college. Even more noteworthy is the fact as a single mother she was determined to move her family out of the “Projects”. With the help of the Lord she did that and eventually became a homeowner – of eight homes! Mother Hines shared her testimony that on December 23, 1985, she was stricken with a heart attack: while sitting in the choir stand during a Sunday morning service she passed out and was taken to the hospital. She underwent treatment and was release after a week – having been touched by the Lord! “Thanks be to GOD!” In 2003 Mother Hines relocated to Georgia with her son Raymond. They united with Bethesda Cathedral of the Apostolic Faith under the pastorate of Bishop Stewart Reese, Jr. Mother Hines was faithful to Sunday School and was an active member of the ‘Golden Gems’ for nearly 20 years – until her health began to deteriorate in 2019. Mother Hines was known as ‘Mum’ all over the world. She traveled to Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, France, Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Guam, Ghana and South Africa. On one occasion at the Atlanta Airport, a woman walked up to her and prophesied that Mother would be like Sarah of the Bible, "The Mother of Many Nations." Mother Hines was blessed to celebrate her 100th Birthday on July 25th of this year. What a Celebration it was! She was surrounded with family and friends from all over the United States. On November 12th Mother Hines completed her transition and peacefully entered into her rest. She leaves to mourn 4 children: Linda (Elbeck), John Loyd, William Anthony, and Raymond Edward: 7 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. To GOD be the GLORY for a long and prosperous life!

Mother Bertha L. Hines

July 25, 1923 - November 12, 2023