In Memoriam: Rev. Dr. Benita Valerie Glynn-Jarrett
10-21-2020
I was born on January 16, 1950 to Curtis and Ella Lewis. During the Easter time of 1957, I professed a faith in Yeshua and was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I attended Forestville Elementary School and graduated from Harlan High School in June 1967. I loved my high school days, even though I was initially very shy, I started to blossom. I decided to become a professional nurse and with the encouragement of my mother, I became one of the first African American registered nurses with a B.S. from De Paul University.
On Sept. 12, 1971, I married John Patrick Glynn Jr. and together we had three children: Kathleen Therese, John Patrick, III and Kimberly Michele. I thank God for my grandchildren: Mario Frankie Head Jr., Kristina Larrieux Stallings and Christopher Anthony Usher. Later on in September 21, 1990, I married James Jarrett, Jr; we enjoyed life together for more than 20 years.
I enjoyed a long professional nursing career, working several hospitals on the north side of Chicago in various administrative capacities. We later moved to the Southside of Chicago, there I worked at LaRabida Jackson Park and St. Luke - Presbyterian as a case manager for home health. During those years, I noticed that I had been blessed with a healing touch, so I continued in this ministry for more than 30 years. I later decided to work for the Board of Education, so I transitioned into the field of education at Mercer University.
During 1980, I sensed a formal call to the ministry and answered it by attending McCormick Theological Seminary. I received my M.Div., and later my Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick. During that time, I served as assistant pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and youth pastor at several United Methodist Churches. In 1986, I founded Agape Koinonia Ministries, which was a religious organization that advocated for the rights of persons with aids and their families. I continued my healing ministry and work as an evangelist until February 2010. I became the organizer, and senior pastor of Agape Fellowship Church in Loganville, Georgia. We continue the ministry of spreading the Good News of Salvation comfort the lonely, support those who are needy and imprisoned. I taught at DeKalb County Schools and then transferred to Walton County Schools. There, I enjoyed working with low achieving students, ESOL and encouraging them to become all the Lord wants them to become. The legacy of ministry continues with my family. I leave a host of relatives and cousins besides my children and grandchildren to work until Yeshua comes back. To God be the honor and glory, all praises go to Him and Him alone. Hallelujah!
