The late missionary Doretha Hosey Gunn, 93, and her ten sisters touched many lives in the Mississippi Delta.
Every summer for ten years (1981-1991), the Ten Sisters Revival team conducted revivals, tarried, laid hands, preached, taught, gave and trained hundreds in Delta area cities, including Leland, Indianola, Isola, Itta Bena, Tchula and Greenwood.
The team was passionately called The Ten Sisters Revival, but the team consisted of 11 sisters. Each night of the revival two sisters preached the word. The eleventh sister would fill in to assist when needed.
Missionary Gunn, the eighth of fifteen children (eleven girls and four boys), leaves a rich legacy of prayer, intercession, sacrifice, fasting, praise, readiness to dance, honesty, integrity, laying hands, traveling and conducting revivals leading hundreds of souls to Christ and discipleship.
“I'll say yes to my Lord; he has done great things. I'll say yes to my Lord,” rang at the homegoing celebration on Saturday at New Life St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Belzoni.
Those who knew Mother Gunn recognized that it would not be a small thing if you were ever in her presence. Many family members and friends called on her for prayers of healing and deliverance.
Several family members shared personal time spent with Gunn.
One family member stated that when Gunn was told of a problem, her immediate response was to fast and pray.
Theresa Williams, district elect lady, stated, "I remember my aunt always being ready to fast and pray. She was sweet, mild-mannered and loved the Lord. Everyone loved her cakes; I loved her cakes and tea. Her sisters could make cakes, but her cakes were the best. My aunt never met a stranger; she was lovable. She spoke her mind with kindness. She loved her family and her siblings. They honored each other with respect. I love my aunt so much."
Mazell Riley said Gunn worked in the Moorhead District as a praying woman with faith, full of good works. She believed in a lively service. Gunn was always on time, ready to open service with a song. She smiled and cheered others on to serve and work in the church.
April Watson, Jurisdictional Assistant Supervisor of the Women's Department of Zambia Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (Ndola Zambia), recalled, "Mother Gunn trained young missions for altar work. She was a woman who prayed, and something happened."
Watson remembers her baby being sick. Gunn told her to bring her baby and lay her in her sanctified bed- believing that God would heal her daughter.
Watson added that Gunn often encouraged others but also corrected them in love. Gunn was a mighty woman of God.
Louis Fields, the pastor's wife, remembers Gunn as a prayer warrior and not given to gossip. One of the praise songs and revival songs shared: Doing all the good we can; we are the willing workers doing all the good we can, we must work while it is the day. We are doing all the good we can.
According to Fields, Gunn would tithe on greens, pecans, and jars of sweet tea or whatever she harvested. She tithed the first fruit of her gathering before she used it for herself. She would bring what she had to demonstrate God's blessings.
"Mother Gunn arrived at church before others to clean restrooms before service started. She was punctual and encouraged others to do the same. Mother Gunn made no excuse for her limited income. She gathered, saved, and shared what she could, leading others to give without complaining or reservations," said Fields.
Darrien Williams, the pastor of Tree of Life COGIC, Greenville, stated that Gunn mentioned that she wants to be rapture-ready and that payday is coming after a while.
Williams recalls, “When the church lost Pastor Johnny Lee Martin, my aunt kept the church going in between pastors. When Pastor David Fields became the new pastor, he found my aunt working in the church, keeping the doors open and keeping the members coming. Pastor Fields was so impressed that he gave her an anniversary for her service. This was done yearly.”
The town of Isola Resolution stated that Gunn was a mighty woman of God, a gospel giant, and a soldier.
St. Luke's COGIC Resolution recognized that Gunn is a lover of God, guided by God, a teacher, church mother, prayer leader, and church custodian.
The final celebration of life was held Saturday at New Life St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Belzoni. The service had lively music, dancing, and the sound of old-time revivals that the 93-year-old mother cherished.
Minister Jimmy Lee, Jr., musician, and Jose Watson, the assistant pastor of New Life St. Paul, keyboard renditions shook the church house and stirred the listeners to rock, move, nod, and lift their hands, praising God for the life and legacy of Mother Doretha Gun.
Pastor David Fields, Jr., St. Luke COGIC in Isola, called for Pentecostal music. The music was mixed with the sound of guitars, washboards, and tambourines, reminding family and friends of being on the church altar at revivals and rendering songs of call and response ringing out in the cotton fields.
Songs, including 'My Soul Says Yes,' were led by Pastor Fields before he gave his eulogy with scripture reference 1 John 3:1-2: What a love the Father has bestowed upon us.
"Mother Gunn often assisted me with revivals. She conducted testimony and prayer services," shared Pastor Fields."
Pastor Fields attested that Mother Gunn cleaned church restrooms and placed her first fruit offerings on his desk: pecans, greens, jars of tea, or whatever she had to give. She gave her first fruit to the Lord before she enjoyed it and shared it with others.
Mother Mary Scott, Mississippi Northern Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Supervisor of the Department of Women, added that Mother Gunn often testified of the goodness of God. She was faithful and encouraged others to live holy.
"I admired Missionary Gunn's life and service to God and others," shared Scott. "She was a loving person. Her lifestyle reflected her love for God and his Word."
Pastor Fields closed the eulogy recalling the words of Mother Gunn: There is a bright crown waiting for me.
Andre' Curry, Moorhead District Superintendent and pastor of Word of Life Church of God in Christ stated, "Mother Gunn was a very dedicated saint of God, consistent and dependable. She was one of those foundational saints on her post and ready to serve.”
Dr. Vickie Curry, National Evangelist and Mississippi Northern Jurisdictional Elect Lady, eloquently summed up her life and legacy.
“As I reflect on the life of this incredible woman of God, Missionary Doretha Gunn, it is etched in my heart her legacy of prayer. Her prayer life is a priceless gift which cannot be repaid, but it is a gift which can be shared over and over by all who will emulate her. Missionary Gunn recognized God as the giver of life, everything belonged to Him, and whatever, she desired God would do it for her if she petitioned Him through prayer. Today, many of us kneel on the foundation of prayer because she was committed to acknowledging and honoring God. We are the beneficiaries of her love for the Lord, prayer life, and walk of obedience and faith. Prayer is the firm foundation she laid for us to walk upon. I pray we will continue her remarkable legacy of prayer,” shared Dr. Curry.
