Charlotte Marie Vinson, affectionately known as Mother Vinson, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, September 7, 2019. She was born on June 3, 1938, in Akron, OH.  Mother Vinson attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from East High School.

She married the love of her life, Lawrence Nathan Vinson and their love story spanned 63 years.  This union welcomed the birth of five children. Along with her seven grandchildren, her children call her “Blessed” and fondly reflect on the many ways that she gave from her heart, constantly encouraging and sharing wisdom.  She always compelled them to watch and pray.

Laying hold to the reward of eternal life, she professed Jesus Christ before many witnesses causing countless hearts to turn to Him. (1 Timothy 6:12). It was easy to love the Jesus in her, because, in her eyes were happiness, in her smile was joy and in her heart was enough love for everyone. She had a way of making people feel important and she walked the walk that she talked about every day.

Mother Vinson was the epitome of a virtuous woman. She was a hard, diligent worker securing her first job at the age of 7 where she maintained a newspaper route. Mother Vinson, always one with an eye for fashion, enjoyed a rewarding career in retail management.  She became a friend and confidant to customers, many whom she led to Christ and later worked with them, side by side sharing their faith with others.

Mother Vinson served in various capacities in her service to God and lived her life-giving to others as unto the Lord.  Mother Vinson was one of the founding members of Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ, a ministry that began in her mother Gertrude’s beauty shop. She worked tirelessly with young people across the city who would flock to Purity Class meetings held at the Vinson’s home.

She was faithful, competent and detailed; a gift utilized in her role as Church Treasurer for over 55 years. Mother Vinson enjoyed working with others and spent years as a member of the Adult Choir, Young Women’s Christian Council, Prayer and Bible Band, Sewing Circle, and Noon Day Prayer.

Mother Vinson loved to entertain. Her home was always open to the Saints and earned the name, “The Vinson Inn.”  Mother Elsie Shaw, Evangelist Rosie Haynes, The Clark Sisters, Dr.Vernard Johnson, and Elder John Lawrence, were among the many guests. Their visits brought great joy to the household and the family was deeply honored for the time that was shared.

Though small in stature, Mother Vinson was a tower of strength, wise counselor and steadfast prayer warrior. Her living was a blessing to the lives of numerous people.  Mother Vinson will be sorely missed, but her legacy will be treasured for all time.  She “fought the good fight and finished her course” (2Timothy 4:7) in victory. We promise to always watch and pray!

She was proceeded in death by her mother, Evangelist Gertrude Holt; father, Thomas Taylor, Sr.; brother Thomas Taylor, Jr.

Cherishing her memory and celebrating her life is her loving husband of 63 years, Elder Lawrence Vinson, Sr.; children, Cheryl Vinson Dumas, Michelle (Howard) Seeden, Lawrence, Jr., Debra (Kelvin) Berry, Vicki (Jimmy) Carson; grandchildren, Amber (Derrick) Markray, Kristen Carson, Andrew Scott, Lawrence Vinson, III, Jasmine Carson, Moriah Carson and Mason Long; great-grandchildren, Josiah Ramsey and Logan Markray; sisters, Mother Diane (Paul) Jackson Jr., Mother Dovie (Melvin) McDowell, and Karen Black; brothers Bishop Willie Joe (Carolyn) Courtney and Alfred (Freida) Taylor; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald (Elizabeth) Vinson, Wayne Vinson, Matthew Vinson, Darryl Vinson, Lorraine Woods and Brenda (Jerome) Smith. Her beloved friends and sisters in the Lord, Mother Gene Clemons, Mother Almyra Battles; special cousins, Jean Hopkins and Shirley Brown.  “The Golden Girls” Jurisdictional Supervisor, Mother Thelma Giles Butts, Mother Thelma Livingston, and Mother Ida Bradford; lifelong friend Camille Starks; beloved uncles, Elder Kenneth Moorer, and Lawrence Moorer; aunts, Mother Mary Woodie and Mother Loretta Patterson; special godchildren, Roberta Templeton Bradley and Brian Curtain. Mother Vinson had many children in the Lord, and a host of relatives and friends.