Evangelist Bettie Hargrove

Evangelist Bettie Jean Hargrove, affectionately known as “Sister Bettie”, was the first of twins born to Hattie Hargrove on April 2, 1946, in Mileston, MS. Bettie and her twin, Murelin, were raised in the loving, nurturing home of their grandparents, Rev. James and Mother Mamie Hargrove. They instilled strong, Christian values and a love for family in them. They also spoiled the twins rotten! Bettie was a life-learner and an advocate for education. She was a product of Chicago Public Schools. She graduated from Mason Upper Grade Center and Farragut High School in 1964. She developed many lifelong friendships while at Farragut. She attended Chicago Business College and Triton College. Bettie believed that it is never too late to pursue your goals. Although she worked full-time, she was determined to complete her educational journey. In 2004, Bettie obtained her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Concordia University. She graduated with the distinct honor of Magna Cum Laude. Bettie loved God with all of her heart. She was one of the founding members of Mt. Carmel M.B. Church with her grandfather, Rev. Hargrove. Bettie truly received Christ as her Savior in 1970. She was indeed a servant of the Lord. She served in various capacities at Mt. Carmel down through the years: president of the Young Adult Choir, Inspirational Choir Member, Missionary Board, Purity Class, Single Women Ministry, Bible Class teacher, and wherever else her hands could serve. Bettie’s servant-hood extended beyond the walls of the church. She was a true evangelist and “Soul Winner”. She served in Cook County Jail through The Prison Ministry. She traveled with Evangelist Dorothy Clark, ministering to the lost in nursing homes, feeding the homeless on Skid Row, ministry in Cabrini Green and Intercessory Prayer on Christian Channel 38’s Telethon. Evangelist Hargrove had a heart for people. She had compassion for the hurt and less fortunate. She founded the Inner Healing Ministry, which focused on deliverance for men, women, and children. She was a part of the Women’s AGLOW Team. She was also a dedicated member and business manager of J.F. Hargrove Memorial Choir. Bettie was a diligent worker. Her work career began as a key punch operator at the Chicago Police Department, Motorola, and Blue Cross Association. She worked briefly at Alden’s Shopper’s World. She was a licensed Insurance Agent at Sun Life Insurance Company for 10 years. She also worked for Chicago HMO and Encyclopedia Britannica. She worked at Lutheran Family Missions for 18 years as the Director of Children Services and Early Head Start Service Coordinator. While at Lutheran, she encouraged her aunts and others to become business owners as Licensed Home Day Care Providers. Bettie retired from Westside Holistic Family Services after four years as Head Start Social Service Coordinator. Many people were blessed by her social services ministry. Over the years, Bettie spent countless hours volunteering at several organizations: Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, University of Illinois Hospital, Loretta Hospital, and men and women prisons. Evangelist Bettie loved her sons and family. She loved to travel. Over the years you could find her at UNAC, AIM, and COGIC Convocations. She truly enjoyed traveling with her family. On her last voyage, she joyously welcomed the birth of her first great-grandchild, A’aliyah. Bettie believed that family is everything. She would spend hours on the phone offering advice and praying for people. She was an honorable, no-nonsense, excellent, business woman. She walked in integrity and firmly believed that "Holiness is Right!" Her desire was to see her family saved and serving the Lord. Evangelist Bettie was preceded in death by her mother, Hattie Hargrove, grandparents, Reverend James and Mamie Hargrove, her sisters, Murelin Bell, Shirley Ann Hargrove-Ashford, Thelma Anderson, Betty Newman, Jean Seals, Amanda Banks, and Mary Anderson, and one brother, Will Anderson. Evangelist Hargrove moved from Earth to Glory on November 16, 2017, at 12:31 p.m. She fought a good fight, kept the faith, and finished her course. She was praising and thanking the Lord as she made her transition surrounded by her loving family. She will truly be missed, but her legacy of faithfulness and love for God lives on. She leaves to celebrate her life: her two devoted sons, Overseer Dante L. Perkins, Sr. (Towanda) and Corey Perkins; her grandchildren, Lauren, Brittany, Shante, Corey, Kyle, Dezrell (Paige), Ivan-Dante, Brandon, and David; great-granddaughter, A’aliyah; daughter, Tokeisha; special niece, Raven; godchildren, Chris Bolton, Pastor Gerald “Shawn Boy” Coleman, Tameshia Dotson, and Carlaura Flie-Jordan; best friend, Florence Merritt; lifelong friends, Ann Campbell and Shirley Green; special aunts/sisters, Roberta Woodard, Irene Murry, Maxine Ivy (Pastor Charles), Mary Helen Teague, Lilian Stanfield, and Gloria Hardiman; 12 sisters, Delores, Jackie (John), Debra (George), Sharon, Sandra (Michael), Lynda, Minnie Pearl, Mary, Lucinda, Barbara (Derrick), Virginia, and Sandras, sister-in-law, Kathy; five brothers, Derrick (Irma), Dwight, Jessie (Ardelia), Renza Jr. (Arlean), and Roy (Verlene); and special friends, Daretha, Arnita, Octavia, and Keshia D. A special thanks to all of Bettie’s “Caretakers.” She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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