On May 12, 1922, in Kentwood, a unique, and wonderfully made gift from God was entrusted into the hands of Joe Garner and Louise Garner. They named this gift, Willye Mae Garner. Missionary Willye Mae Quillin fulfilled her commission and finished her course on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Willye Mae was trained in the church, and at the age of 8 years old, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Willye Mae made a vow to the Lord and she did not turn back. As fate had it, Willye Mae met Amel Quillin and on Dec. 26, 1937, in Natalbany, they became husband and wife. The loving couple moved to Bogalusa and they immediately became members of St. John Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Bishop John White. To this marriage, nine children were born: Josephine, Shirley, Mary, Amel, Gloria, Carolyn, Fred, Barbara and Patricia. They trained their children in the way that they should go, loving God and family.

Willye Mae worked diligently beside her husband in Women’s Ministry. She provided hospitality for the saints, taught prayer band, bible band, Sunday School, and interceded for her husband as he preached the word of God in a hostile and dangerous environment. She served as First Lady of James Chapel C.O.G.I.C. After her children became older, she began to work outside of the home in the insurance industry. First Lady Quillin was later appointed by Bishop W. K. Gordon to the position of District Missionary for District #3, working beside Superintendent Arthur Mixon. In 1987 when Louisiana Jurisdiction #3 was organized under the leadership of Bishop Howard E. Quillen Jr., she was appointed District Missionary of the #4 District. Missionary Quillin served this church tirelessly until God said “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Missionary Willye Mae Quillin leaves to cherish her precious memories: eight children, Josephine Q. Brewer of San Francisco, Calif., Mary E. Jackson of Houston, Texas, Rev. Amel (Velma) Quillin Jr. of Houston, Gloria Quillin of Bogalusa, Carolyn (Jack) Wingo of Houston, Fred Quillin of Houston, Dr. Barbara Q. (Pastor Oliver) Humbles, of Zachary, and Patricia (Wilton) Badon of Southaven, Miss.; 25 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchild; one god-daughter, Pricilla Walls; three surrogate adopted children, Bishop Johnny Tate of Houston, Christopher Williams of Tacoma, Wash., and LaVerne Riley of New Orleans; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and family.

Missionary Willye Mae Quillin is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Louise Garner; her husband, Rev. Amel Quillin Sr.; sisters, Elnora Smith and Bertha Taplin; brother, Fred Taplin; daughter, Shirley Q. May; daughter-in-law, Susie M. Quillin; and grandson, Minister Malcolm L. Quillin.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home on Friday, May 3, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., with Wake Service from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at St. John Temple Church of God in Christ, 1126 N. Roosevelt St in Bogalusa. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Kingdom of God Church, 814 Union Ave., at 11 a.m., with Bishop H. E. Quillin officiating.