Essie Getter

Celebration of Life

Mrs. Essie Mae Getter was born on August 12, 1951 in Catron, Missouri. She was the eldest of two daughters and a son born to her late father, Elder John Wesley Johnson. Her mother, Dessie Mae Campbell, partnered in raising their two girls, and doted lovingly on all three.  Essie attended public schools in Missouri and Illinois, and was ecstatic to received her GED education diploma, a Beautician License, and work in the healthcare and security guard career areas.

Essie gave her life to Christ early in her childhood and held membership in a church wherever she resided.  She was excited to travel occasionally with Revival Evangelists, and she offered whatever assistance was needed at church. She enjoyed worshiping God at Deliverance Temple, Alton, IL under the leadership of Dr. Gregory Harrison prior to her illness and move to South Bend, IN. Her favorites ministries were Evangelism, Bible Study and Sunday School. She was overjoyed when each of her sons accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. She was happy that they knew God, and encouraged them both to become servants in His Kingdom ministry work.  

Essie loved the songs and lyrics of Shirley Caesar, Rance Allen, Willie Neal Johnson, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Williams Brothers, Juanita Bynum, and several others. She took pride in handling her own business and standing on her own 2 feet to help herself. Her deep desire was that her sons would do the same in their lives. She had various struggles through the years, but she told “her boys” she was a fighter because God already set up the victory already. She had no intention of staying down, and she did not. She was a bright, funny, cheerful jokester who loved to make others laugh. She often spent all she had to fulfill someone else’s need, and she was known as a loving and giving person.  

Mrs. Essie Getter entered into eternal rest on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Briarcliff Nursing & Rehab Center, South Bend. She looked forward to seeing her 68th birthday. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Joseph Webster, and Jessie James Getter, Sr. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, two beloved sons, Jesse James Getter, Jr., and Leonard James Getter; her mother, Dessie M. Campbell of Jacksonville, FL; one sister, Joyce Fortenberry (Willie) of  Jacksonville, FL; one brother, Ron L. Buchanan (Sophia) of Poplar Bluff, MO, and her BFF (Best Friend Forever), Patricia Harrison of Alton, IL who was always there to hold her hand and be her devoted friend for over 45 years.

Early in her young adult life, she taught her sons that family is very important because that is how God established family in His Word.  She insisted that her 6 grandchildren know that she loved them with all her heart and was proud of each one beginning with Jessica Getter (Tyjin, Yaslen, Jarius, and Jamika); Laurichel Montgomery (Jae-don, King, Sarai); Whitney Montgomery (Alayah, Makiyah & Deriana ) Andre’ Getter  Ambrea & Adrian);  Jessica Redd: (Josia & Harmony); and Mikal Redd. She wanted her children, grandchildren and all of her generations to come to know God. To her, He was the head of her life. No matter how tough things got for her, she kept that optimistic faith that God was going to work things out. Her faith carried her forward when her health set her backwards. She recognized God’s Sovereign status, and willingly yielded to Him. She wanted her family to get to know God and stay connected to one another. Family was extremely important to her. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowful friends who will miss her jovial spirit.

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