Artelia Virginia Wyatt's Obituary
Sister Artelia Wyatt was born on October 5, 1931, to her proud parents, the late Archie and Alma Harrison in McCormick, South Carolina. She was the first-born of ten siblings and spent most of her early years in South Carolina where she was educated in the McCormick Public School System. Thus, here is where she became aware of and developed her love and gift for music.
At the young age of 18 years old, while visiting her uncle in Detroit, Michigan, she heard the preaching of the gospel by Dr. Raymond S. Jackson and received Christ as her Savior. This was the beginning “call” of God’s purpose and plan for her life. Soon after, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and became a member of the York Street Church of God under the leadership of Rev. Wallace White and Rev. Dr. Horace Shepherd. Sister Wyatt met and married the late Dr. Lawrence P. Wyatt in 1957 and continued in her calling in the music ministry at High Street Church of God. Dedicated to God’s will, Sister Wyatt willingly accompanied her husband in 1962 as he accepted the call to be Pastor of the Eliza Street Church of God in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She continued to serve in the music ministry which included her role as director of the choir, attending and instructing music workshops and attending and teaching stress seminars. In August of 1965 Artelia and Lawrence became loving parents to Reginald Paul Wyatt. They raised him in the ministry and taught him great Christian values. They took pride in him. Sister Wyatt had a genuine love for people, which was evident by her serving on the Missionary Board. She also had a great love for children. She taught Junior High Sunday School classes and taught at St. John’s Methodist Nursery School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. God always prepares one for change and, being a Pastor’s wife, she accompanied her husband as he accepted the call to become the Pastor of Southwestern Church of God, in Detroit, Michigan where they served from 1971 until her husband’s passing in 2008. While there, she served in the music ministry and became Director of the Sanctuary Choir and Minister of Music. She also taught the Junior High Sunday School Class and was an active member of the “Women of the Church of God”. With her special gift in counseling, she touched many lives of those in need. It had been stated that Sister Wyatt thought of all adults and children as her “Darlings”. Sister Wyatt had been a Pastor’s wife in Ministry for over 46 years and continued to have the spirit of obedience to God and was committed to doing His will and loving all the saints and her “Darling” children. In addition, she loved hymns, anthems, trees, birds, and butterflies. Her beloved husband, Dr. Lawrence P. Wyatt preceded her in death in 2008 and her beloved son, Reginald Paul Wyatt passed away exactly 2 months after her passing. She leaves to cherish her memories with her siblings; Mattie Luchey of North August, South Carolina, Ruth Wiggleton of Sacramento, California, Effie (Earl) Anderson of McCormich, South Carolina, Ann Harrison of Sacramento, California, and Lillian Nails of East Orange, New Jersey, two sister-in-laws; Ruby Harrison and Shirley Harrison, god-daughter; Minister Geneva Talleferrio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, god-son; Brandon Hill of Detroit, Michigan, her caregiver; Ronda Gaiter and many other nieces, nephews, and spiritual sons and daughters.
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