Official Obituary of
Teveta Kirkwood
August 23, 1930 ~ September 5, 2017 (age 87) 87 Years Old
Teveta Kirkwood Obituary
Reflections: Celebrating A Life Well Lived
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1
"A Time To Be Born"
Mother Teveta (Williams) Kirkwood was born August 23, 1930. She was the 2nd oldest of five children born to the late Felton W. Williams Sr. and Katie Lee (Ware) Williams in Tupelo, MS.
"And a Time To Plant"
Teveta accepted Christ at an early age in The Church of The Living God, The Pillar & Ground of the Truth, after her family moved to the Metropolitan Detroit, MI area.
"And a Time to Learn"
She attended the Ecorse, Michigan public school system and furthered her education by taking sewing classes. It wasn't long before she began making her own clothes.
"And the Lord said, it is not good that man should be alone"
On February 22, 1946, Teveta Wiliams married (Bishop) Clinton W. Kirkwood Sr.. Their relationship stood the test of time, lasting 66 years before Bishop Kirkwood passed in the year 2012.
"God said unto them, be fruitful an multiply..."
To this union four children were born: Sharon, Clinton Jr., Donald and Derick.
"And a Time to Serve"
Being the daughter of two gospel ministers, Teveta learned how to serve at an early age. As the wife of a gospel minister, Teveta stayed on her knees praying for him, her family and others and she saw the POWER of prayer exhibited many times through out her life.
Teveta enjoyed smiling, talking and singing. A few of her favorite songs were "I'll Say Yes Lord Yes", "Victory, Victory Shall Be Mine and of course "99 and a half Won't Do".
As a Proverb 31 woman, Teveta prepared a loving home environment and welcomed all who visited. She enjoyed cooking and baking from "scratch." Some remember her delicious homemade rolls!
To help supplement her husband's income, Teveta worked outside of the home for a number of years, until her oldest child and only daughter Sharon graduated from High School in 1965.
In 1984, Teveta founded and started Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God Church and with the assistance of her two sons, Clinton Jr. and Donald, and her brother Felton Williams Jr., Teveta Incorporated Gospel Truth Tabernacle in the State of Michigan.
Initially, services were held in the basement of the Kirkwood home in Inkster, MI. A short time later, services were moved to the Brightmoor Community Center in Detroit, MI. Soon thereafter, Teveta had a vision of a church building and began searching for the building she had envisioned. When the realtor showed her our present church, Teveta screamed, "This is it." "This is the church the Lord showed me."
Teveta, not believing in the "big I and little you" concept, faithfully and willingly cleaned the church right along with the members. She believed in leading by example.
Teveta's faith in God, warm and compassionate spirit, and a loving heart, earned her the title of Church Mother. Mother Kirkwood had a determination to serve the Lord with her whole heart, body, soul, and mind. She truly loved her natural and spiritual family and taught her children to respect and love one another.
With the help of her sister-in-law Minister Ida Williams, Mother Kirkwood started a Young Christian Women Counseling Service (Y.C.W.C.S.) which taught single and married women how to live holy and to be a help-meet to their husbands. They also taught the women how to rear their children in the love and admonition of Jesus Christ.
"And a Time to Mourn"
Mother Teveta (Williams) Kirkwood preceded in death by her faithful and devoted husband of 66 years - Bishop Clinton W. Kirkwod Sr., her 2 brothers - Arthur and Felton Williams Jr., and her one and only sister Olamia Thomas.
"And a Time of Peace"
Mother Teveta Kirkwood departed this life on Tuesday, September 05, 2017, in the comfort of her own home.
"I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance of You" Phil 1"3
She leaves to cherish her memory, 4 children: Sharon (Allen) May of Detroit, MI., Clinton Jr. (Myrah) Kirkwood of Orange County, CA., Donald L. Kirkwood (her caregiver) of Inkster, MI., Derrick (Nicole) Kirkwood of Southfield, MI.
A Loving Brother Lapious "Poe" (Gloria) Williams of Detroit, MI
9 Grandchildren: Jay (Dephne) Caver of Milford, MI., Kelli (Del) Grace of Toledo, OH., Clinise Kirkwood of Southfield, MI., Heather (Christopher) Grocock of Burbank, CA., and Twanda (Harry) Byrd of Copperas Cove, TX.,
8 Great-Grandchildren and a host of relatives, extended family and friends. Previous Events Family & Friends Visitation SEP 15. 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (ET) Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland 4670 S. Inkster Rd. Westland, MI 48186 mcclaryfh@yahoo.com https://www.chapelchimes.com/ Loading map Family Hour SEP 16. 9:30 AM (ET) Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God 5169 Ogden Street Detroit, MI 48210 Loading map Celebration of Life SEP 16. 10:00 AM (ET) Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God 5169 Ogden Street Detroit, MI 48210 Loading map The Final Resting Place SEP 16. Detroit Memorial Park West
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1
"A Time To Be Born"
Mother Teveta (Williams) Kirkwood was born August 23, 1930. She was the 2nd oldest of five children born to the late Felton W. Williams Sr. and Katie Lee (Ware) Williams in Tupelo, MS.
"And a Time To Plant"
Teveta accepted Christ at an early age in The Church of The Living God, The Pillar & Ground of the Truth, after her family moved to the Metropolitan Detroit, MI area.
"And a Time to Learn"
She attended the Ecorse, Michigan public school system and furthered her education by taking sewing classes. It wasn't long before she began making her own clothes.
"And the Lord said, it is not good that man should be alone"
On February 22, 1946, Teveta Wiliams married (Bishop) Clinton W. Kirkwood Sr.. Their relationship stood the test of time, lasting 66 years before Bishop Kirkwood passed in the year 2012.
"God said unto them, be fruitful an multiply..."
To this union four children were born: Sharon, Clinton Jr., Donald and Derick.
"And a Time to Serve"
Being the daughter of two gospel ministers, Teveta learned how to serve at an early age. As the wife of a gospel minister, Teveta stayed on her knees praying for him, her family and others and she saw the POWER of prayer exhibited many times through out her life.
Teveta enjoyed smiling, talking and singing. A few of her favorite songs were "I'll Say Yes Lord Yes", "Victory, Victory Shall Be Mine and of course "99 and a half Won't Do".
As a Proverb 31 woman, Teveta prepared a loving home environment and welcomed all who visited. She enjoyed cooking and baking from "scratch." Some remember her delicious homemade rolls!
To help supplement her husband's income, Teveta worked outside of the home for a number of years, until her oldest child and only daughter Sharon graduated from High School in 1965.
In 1984, Teveta founded and started Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God Church and with the assistance of her two sons, Clinton Jr. and Donald, and her brother Felton Williams Jr., Teveta Incorporated Gospel Truth Tabernacle in the State of Michigan.
Initially, services were held in the basement of the Kirkwood home in Inkster, MI. A short time later, services were moved to the Brightmoor Community Center in Detroit, MI. Soon thereafter, Teveta had a vision of a church building and began searching for the building she had envisioned. When the realtor showed her our present church, Teveta screamed, "This is it." "This is the church the Lord showed me."
Teveta, not believing in the "big I and little you" concept, faithfully and willingly cleaned the church right along with the members. She believed in leading by example.
Teveta's faith in God, warm and compassionate spirit, and a loving heart, earned her the title of Church Mother. Mother Kirkwood had a determination to serve the Lord with her whole heart, body, soul, and mind. She truly loved her natural and spiritual family and taught her children to respect and love one another.
With the help of her sister-in-law Minister Ida Williams, Mother Kirkwood started a Young Christian Women Counseling Service (Y.C.W.C.S.) which taught single and married women how to live holy and to be a help-meet to their husbands. They also taught the women how to rear their children in the love and admonition of Jesus Christ.
"And a Time to Mourn"
Mother Teveta (Williams) Kirkwood preceded in death by her faithful and devoted husband of 66 years - Bishop Clinton W. Kirkwod Sr., her 2 brothers - Arthur and Felton Williams Jr., and her one and only sister Olamia Thomas.
"And a Time of Peace"
Mother Teveta Kirkwood departed this life on Tuesday, September 05, 2017, in the comfort of her own home.
"I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance of You" Phil 1"3
She leaves to cherish her memory, 4 children: Sharon (Allen) May of Detroit, MI., Clinton Jr. (Myrah) Kirkwood of Orange County, CA., Donald L. Kirkwood (her caregiver) of Inkster, MI., Derrick (Nicole) Kirkwood of Southfield, MI.
A Loving Brother Lapious "Poe" (Gloria) Williams of Detroit, MI
9 Grandchildren: Jay (Dephne) Caver of Milford, MI., Kelli (Del) Grace of Toledo, OH., Clinise Kirkwood of Southfield, MI., Heather (Christopher) Grocock of Burbank, CA., and Twanda (Harry) Byrd of Copperas Cove, TX.,
8 Great-Grandchildren and a host of relatives, extended family and friends. Previous Events Family & Friends Visitation SEP 15. 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (ET) Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland 4670 S. Inkster Rd. Westland, MI 48186 mcclaryfh@yahoo.com https://www.chapelchimes.com/ Loading map Family Hour SEP 16. 9:30 AM (ET) Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God 5169 Ogden Street Detroit, MI 48210 Loading map Celebration of Life SEP 16. 10:00 AM (ET) Gospel Truth Tabernacle of God 5169 Ogden Street Detroit, MI 48210 Loading map The Final Resting Place SEP 16. Detroit Memorial Park West
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