Obituary of Cornelia Green McGrew, 93

With respect to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) virus prevention state requirements, visitation and church service will be limited to just immediate family please. Miller & Hill "The Funeral Directors" management does this to protect the most vulnerable of our society and our employees. Mrs. Cornelia Green McGrew passed away on Friday, March 20, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She will lie in repose at St. Matthew Baptist Church on Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 8:45 am -10:45 am. The immediate family will have a private hour beginning at 11:00 a.m. Committal rites will follow in the St. Matthew Baptist Church Cemetery at 12 Noon. Her Story “A Soloist, A Singer” Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Psalm 149:1 Sister Cornelia Green McGrew, affectionately known as “Dea.” Dea, ninety-three years old, of Boyce, Louisiana, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 20, 2020. Cornelia was born on July 20th, 1926 in Boyce, Louisiana in the community known as “The By” to Henry and Ada Green. She was the first born of eleven children. She began her journey of faith at an early age by being baptized by the late Reverend Luke Williams at First Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church. As soon as she was old enough (age three), Mom Ada allowed Dear to start expressing her love for the Lord through songs. She would stand on a table in front of the congregation and make a joyful noise with that melodious voice. She then joined Second Evening Star where she was a faithful member. After many years she moved her membership to St. Matthew Baptist Church until the Lord called her home. Some of the songs that we will most remember her singing are: The Days Have Past and Gone, Calvary, Mother’s Amazing Grace, In the Garden. As she matured into adulthood, she joined a gospel singing group using her gift of singing. When Cornelia visited relatives, she became known as the relative with the evangelical voice and would be asked to sing in cities such as Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Memphis, Tennessee. Dea sang until the disease of dementia would not allow her to sing anymore. Cornelia was first married to Horace Williams, Sr. (deceased). To that union one child was born, Horace Williams, Jr. (deceased). She then married Willie McGrew, Sr. To that union there were three children, Willie McGrew, Jr. (deceased), Mary Williams and George McGrew, Sr. Dea worked for St. Frances Cabrini School for 22 years as a food technician. She was an awesome cook. The family will greatly miss those mouthwatering biscuits and delicious sweet potato pies and other scrumptious. Cornelia was faithful very active in church participating in many activities and departments of the church including: Sunday School, Senior Choir, Senior Mission, Eastern Star, Sunday School and BTU Mission, the United Educational Missionary Baptist Association, Louisiana Home, Foreign Mission State Convention the Deaconess Board and lastly SMBC Seasoned Saints. She was preceded in death by her husband Willie McGrew, Sr., parents Henry and Ada Green, sons Horace Williams and Willie McGrew, Sr., brothers: Peter Green, Henry Green, Jr., Jim Green, Jim Green, Parnell Green, Jake Green and Alexander Green. Sisters: Martha Canty and Helen Rosenthal and Dorothy Roberson. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Williams of Alexandria, LA, George McGrew, Sr. (Cynthia) of Boyce, LA, her loving brother Joe S. Green , sisters-in-law Josephine Green and Susie Green of Boyce, LA, daughter-in-law, Juanita Williams of Houston, TX, Also, her memory will be cherished by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews, god children, family members and friends. Please keep the Green and McGrew Family in prayer. ~Miller & Hill "The Funeral Directors"