Christine Frierson

CHRISTINE KINGWOOD FRIERSON was known affectionately as “Mother, Mommy, Tea, Sister, Mother Frierson, Minster Frierson, Evangelist Christine, Grandmother, Old Grandmother and Auntie.” Mother was born on December 25, 1938 in Sumter, South Carolina to the late Lee and Lillie Bell Kingwood. Christine accepted Christ at early age and joined the Good Will Presbyterian Church in Maysville, S.C. at the age of 12. Mother attended the Maysville School under the leadership of Conchester Carter. Mother was one who always loved her family growing up in the household with her family Mama and Papa her grandparents. She helps to raise her brother Shot, CJ, Genie, TommyLee, Willie, cousins Mary, James, WillaMae, Jay and Buster alongside James, her other cousin. Mother often talked about her love for going to her Auntie’s house Elisse, Dee, and Sing. She enjoyed going uptown on Saturday after cleaning and cooking or picking the cotton with her mother. Mother would often say one day she would travel to New York to visit her sister Ruby. The Day came on her 15th birthday when she had the opportunity to live there with her oldest sibling, sister Ruby. Later, Mother came back to Maysville where she was swept off her feet by her Boo, Leroy Frierson, my dad. She often stated that Mrs. Ida Mae (my dad’s grandmother) and Aunt Elssie got the two together. Mrs. Ida would say, “You’re going to marry my grandson you big-legged girl.” She and Dad were married on September 10, 1956, in Sumter, S.C., and out of that union, they had four children, Debbie, Netta, Ronnie and Terry. Mom and Daddy also raised Vickie (her baby sister) who was considered to have been their first baby. Mother and Daddy later moved to Washington, D.C. where Netta and Ronnie were born, and later moved to Baltimore where Terry was born. Mom and Dad resided in the Réservoir Hill community for over 48 years. Christine, Georgia and Roscoe alongside with Mary Pat established the first Reservoir Hill Community Association. Mother enjoyed her neighbors and was fond of her conservation with dear friend Mildred as they often talked about their flowers, pies and cakes. She loved her family dearly and even after moving away from South Carolina she would send money back to her Parents and grandmother to help with her sibling. She often shared her story of family with her daughter who asked all the questions about family. Mother stated: you’re just like Ruby always asking about family Netta.” Mother was on various church committee she joined the First Emmauel Baptist church under the leadership of late Dr. James S. Wise. She was the Pastor Aide President, Senior Missionary Vice President alongside her friends Mathis and Mary Young two of her friends. She was on the Food Pantry with her friend Hazel, Gloria, Bertha, and her sister–in- law Ella. She and friend Daisey had their first fashion show with students at Walbrook High School. It was a glorious time to see these boys Sidney, Eric, Anthony and Suizz. She was a member of the Senior Choir where she would have her Babyboy sit right beside her rehearsals and Sunday services. Mother was also a Sunday School Teacher. After moving her membership mother joined the Celestial Pentecostal Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Ethel White. She was ordained as an Evangelist under Pastor White’s leadership. Later, Mother and Dad alongside Pastor White joined the New Horizon Deliverance Church under Elder George Johnson. She and her husband Deacon Frierson worked alongside building the Kingdom of God. Brother Frierson would usher, while Mother was the Pastor Aide President. They both were Praise and Worship Leaders. Mother later moved her membership to Sonset Christian Community Church under the leader of Bishop Nathaniel Anthony, her brother-in-law. Mother always instilled values and morals in her children and encouraged us to show love towards one another and all that we encountered. She loved everyone and could remember everyone. Her greatest gifts were journaling all her writing and her accounts. I remember her being called, “Momma, come here quick and bring me that big licking stick.” She alongside with her two sisters-in-law Coot and LouSister didn’t play, as we all would get in trouble for being out. “You know who you are, Debbie Trica and Linda,” not me, oh no I’m just playing, we all got in trouble. Mother dearly loved her mother. Me, Vickie and Mother often would go see their mother. She and LillieBell would travel together on shopping trips, church or just in the kitchen to cook holidays feast. Vickie was always mother baby even as a grown woman and when she passed it was just like losing another child. These two always did things together, not like sister but as mother and daughter. Mother loved her boys, Ronnie the middle and Terry the Babyboy, spoiling them entirely with church and summer retreats. Mom and Dad always had Debbie around them as they were her caregiver – they were always there for her. Me the gypsy, as they always would say, traveling around the world from college to the military. Mother leaves to mourn: her husband who preceded her in death, (Leroy Frierson of (68 years); daughters, Daphane, Arnetta Frierson-Hamilton, (Kenneth preceded her in death); her two sons who preceded in death, Tyrone and Terry; brother, TommyLee Kingwood (Delores); sisters-in-law, Essie E. Kingwood, Rosa Lee Kingwood, Addie Anthony, Shirley Haynesworth, (all of Baltimore, Maryland); brothers-in law, James Anthony 2 (Eunice) Nathaniel Anthony (Lena); grandchildren, Ramon, Tamekia, Terry Frierson (Stacey), Kenneth Hamilton, Kourtney Hamilton, Jessica, Tiaria (all of Baltimore); great-grandchildren, Jahon, Jasmine, Tyheim, RaMon, Mariah, Treasure, Maleek, Amaria, Jermiah, (Chase preceded her in death), Aubrey, Briana, Imaria, Kourtney, Tyrin, Grace, Gabriell; great-great-grandson; god daughter, Bernadine; a friend who loved her dearly, Sister Kathy; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and extended relatives and friends.

Tributes

Christine Frierson

December 27, 1938 - November 3, 2024