Association Woman’s Auxiliary

The Charleston County Baptist Woman’s Auxiliary was organized on April 22, 1938. A group of missionaries and their Pastor met at the home of Mrs. Georgie Bryant, No. 53 Cooper Street, Charleston, South Carolina along with the Moderator, the late Reverend Wesley Ravenell.

The purpose was to organize a Woman Auxiliary to the Charleston County Baptist Association, to help with the work financially and spiritually, at the annual session in October, 1938, at Jerusalem Baptist Church. It was adopted by the Association.

Officers were elected as follows: The late Mrs. G. Bryant, President, the Late Mrs. Nancy Bell Whipper, Secretary, Sis. Roseanna Ward, Vice-President, and Mrs. Beatrice Gourdine, Treasurer.

The first project was to raise funds for Morris College. The amount raised was $50.00. This amount was raised separate from the parent body. The next project was to raise funds to send our President to the Missionary State Convention, and the President or one of the missionary from each church must go or send the amount of $3.00 annually along with the President for the Woman’s Convention. Mrs. Bryant served faithfully for ten years. She then moved away and Mother Ward carried on for one year.

In the year 1949, Sister A.E. Rivers was elected President. She served faithfully until 1959.

The ministers and deacons were very active with the devotions, inspirational messages, and lectures. On September 18, 1950, a motion was made and seconded that we purchase 500 tags and sell them for ten cents at the Annual Session.

It was suggested that we purchase a building for the Baptist Center, which they thought was needed very much. Many meetings were called for this purpose. The first program was given on March 4, 1951 at Salem Baptist Church. Dr. O.R. Rubin, President of Morris College was the speaker. The amount of $87.14 was raised and turned over to Sis. Nancy Bell Whipper, who was appointed the Banking Committee. In the year 1950 and 1951, the women were appointed to raise funds and the men were to find a building suitable for purchasing. There were statements to the affect from the ministers and the moderator. Reverend B.J. Whipper, giving Sis. Rivers his right hand, stating that he will do all
he can for the cause, Rev. Franklin, also. The late Reverend Dunbar said that to get anywhere, we must stretch our hands out and do away with jealousy. Reverend O. Gadsden said to do mission work we should have a Baptist Center as others have. Reverend Gibson said he will do his best for the cause. The late Reverend Feaster declared we must have a Baptist Center, but I think every minister must give his support.

The Charleston County Baptist Woman’s Auxiliary was the first to give the amount of $723.82 toward the Baptist Center. Sis. Nancy Bell Whipper made encouraging remarks. She said as we grow older, we must ask for strength, wisdom, and knowledge to carry on in this great Christian field. We need more patience and understanding as we travel along the way. We pray Jesus keep us near the cross, there’s a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary Mountain. Dear God please hold our hands and lead us to the promise land.

After serving for fifteen years, Sis. Whipper and Sis. Beatrice Gourdine resigned in the year 1953 at Central Baptist Church. Sis. Katie Gibb was elected Vice-President, Sis. Albertha W. Grant, Secretary, Sis. Dollie M. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Sis. Jozella Thomas, Treasurer, and Sis. Evelina R. Dayson, Chaplain.

In the year 1959, Sis. A.L. Clark was elected President at Cannon Street Baptist Church. Sis. D.M. Robinson resigned as Assistant Secretary in 1959, and was re-elected in 1960 at Rosemont Baptist Church. During this time, Sis. Mozella Brown was elected to succeed Sis. Robinson, but according to her condition she was unable to serve. We were blessed financially throughout the years.

In the year 1967 Sis. Martha Deweese was appointed treasurer due to the death of Sis. Jozella Thomas, and was elected as treasurer during the session at Central Baptist Church, Summerville, South Carolina.

In the year 1968 we contributed $200.00 to furnish a bedroom at the new men’s dormitory at Morris College and $100.00 was given to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, which was founded by the late Dr. Martin Luther King.

When first organized the Woman Auxiliary’s plans consisted of two projects: an Anniversary and a One Day Session. Since that time other projects were added such as Gleaners and the Annual Tea. A Banquet was formally introduced as a fellowship gathering in the year 2002.
The Auxiliary remains loyal to the parent body. It supports and contributes to the annual session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association. It continues to support Morris College, Benedict College annually and the Baptist Center.

After a long term of extended service to the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association Sis.Evelina H. Dayson who was elected in the year 1983, and after serving for a period of 20 years as President, she decided not to seek another term as President. Sis. Dayson ended her term as President at the 80th Annual Session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association at New Charity Missionary Baptist Church. During her tenure of office she worked hard and made marvelous strides in her endeavors to make the Woman’s Auxiliary what it is today. Another position became vacant after an extended term of dedicated service to the Woman’s Auxiliary. Sis. Vernell Anderson decided not to seek another elected term as Recording Secretary to the Woman’s Auxiliary. She served from 1997-2003.

During the Eightieth Annual Session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association Annual Woman’s Day Session held at New Charity Missionary Baptist Church, Thursday, October 23, 2003, Sis. Elizabeth Williams was elected President. We thank God for her. We support her whole heartedly. Sister Williams has made great strides in the movement of the Woman’s Auxiliary in the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association. She was instrumental in establishing the elected positions of first and second vice presidents to the Woman’s Auxiliary during the 83rd Annual Association Session and Corresponding Secretary during the 82nd Annual Association Session. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the year 2006, Sister Williams asked the ladies of the associational churches to get the youth involved in forming Junior Missionaries within their churches. A meeting was held to organize a Junior Missionary of the Association and they began participating on the Annual Association Day of the Woman’s Auxiliary. It was her desire to begin the training of young people to be missionaries for as they grow they will then be able to fulfill the shoes of our seniors in due time.

During the 88th Annual Session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association Annual Women’s Day Session a new officer position was elected. It was the vision of President Williams to elect an officer to the position of Assistant Treasurer.

During the 89th Annual Session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association Woman’s Auxiliary Session, Sister Victoria Abram was elected President, Sister Carolyn McCoy elected 1st Vice President, Sister Valerie Cooper elected 2nd Vice President, Sister Margaret Riggins elected Recording Secretary, and Sister Vanessa T. Maybank was elected Corresponding Secretary.

Under President Abram’s leadership by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in 2013 Sister Abram asked the ladies to help re-establish the Woman’s Auxiliary Choir and re-organize the Women’s Ministers under the leadership of Minister Gloria Lightfoot. President Abram brought before the ladies of the Woman’s Auxiliary to establish a scholarship under the name H. H. Dayson Woman’s Auxiliary Scholarship to help a deserving student to continue his/her education.

During the 94th Annual Session of the Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association held October, 2017 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, the following slate of officers were elected: Carolyn W. McCoy, President, Valerie Cooper, First Vice President, Darlene Green, Second Vice President, Verel Martin, Recording Secretary, Gayle Johnson, Corresponding Secretary, Brenda Wallace, Financial Secretary, Kathy McCullough, Treasurer, Margaret Riggins, Assistant Treasurer, and Minister Roslyn Brown, Chaplain.