Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to speak about my dear friend and Sister in Christ, Woman of God, Minister Mother Ingram, whom I first met when I was in grammar school at Clara Barton on the south side of Chicago, IL. I remember myself and other kids used to call her the lunchroom cookie lady back then because she always wore a smile on her face, kept us in line, and sometimes, some of us would be lucky enough to get an extra butter cookie from her. 😁 She was very nice to all the kids. As I became an adult, I saw Mother Ingram again for the first time since grammar school. She was working on the mayor's election voter registration committee at Clara Barton. I thought to myself, "Wow, there she is after all these years. I'm a grown adult and get to see the lady I used to see in the lunchroom giving us some cookies." I wasn’t sure if she remembered me, but I surely remembered her. I had very painful knees and was using crutches during this time, maybe 7 years ago. I wanted to vote badly but I knew I couldn’t do the long line standing. What did she do? After greeting me with a warm smile, I told her I remembered her from grammar school and it took off from there!! Well, she offered me a chair at the voting poll and said I could still get my vote in, just sit down and vote. I was delighted. She also sat with me and made sure I was cared for when my sister came to pick me up to take me home. Every year, I would call her and say, "Will you be at the voting poll? I’m going to need some help again. I’m not able to walk up all those stairs to come inside to vote." She said, "No problem, we got you!" At this time, because of Covid, curbside voting was allowed in the comfort of your car. She and a couple of other women brought out the necessary voting forms to me, stood by but did not watch me make my selection, and allowed me to vote in the car. They then took the form that was in a secured private tall folder back inside. Mother Ingram has uplifted and encouraged me and prayed for me since then for many, many years to this day. We manage to keep in touch with each other. She is truly a blessed Woman of God, ministering to so many people in need. Her words and actions align with the word of God. She will pray for you at the drop of a dime. She is warm, very friendly, easy to talk to, and tries to help you in any way she can. I’m so proud of her. I needed models for my fashion show and yes, she stepped right on in, not once but twice; she was in my fashion shows. She is truly a friend, reliable, caring, thoughtful, and Christ-like. I’ve never ever heard her insult me, talk down to me, or ridicule me. She knows that we are only human and we all fall short of the glory of God, but she never makes me feel bad. She does the opposite. She tells me to stop that bickering, hold my head up high, and trust and believe in the word of God. Whenever I feel like I’m going left, she pulls my coat tail and steers me to the right. I can call her any day, any time without feeling like I’m bothering her. She loves everybody and definitely is a praying woman. I’m so glad I know her. I could write a book about her and it would be a Best Seller. She always tells me to trust God's process; you can’t go wrong there. She is a trustworthy friend and I’m so glad I know her and am one of her friends. I will always cherish our Christian relationship. I love you, Mother Ingram!!! Keep on doing what you are doing. “Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard!” Hallelujah!!!!! Congratulations!!! Your friend and sister in Christ, Betty Carter.

B. Carter, Sister In Christ