KINGSPORT — Evangelist Willie Belle Bond was born July 1, 1918, to the late Fate and Ada Evans. She married her only beloved, the late Oscar S. Bond on Feb. 23, 1935. They were married 53 years.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ms. Shirley A. Rogers; brothers, Carmen, William and John Evans; and sisters, Juanita Pierce, Frances Hodge and Edith Branner.
Left to celebrate her life are her daughter, Jacqueline R. Gray, and a very devoted, faithful son-inlaw, Isiah R. Gray; grandchildren, Conrad M. Bond, Nadine R. Rogers (missing since Feb. 2, 2002), Jacquelyn Y. Releford and Nikki N. Dully; greatgrandchildren, Marcus, Anthony and Niesha Rogers, Ronisha Dully, Kameron Cox, and Ja’Necqua Releford; great-great-grandchildren, Ja’Maya Fluellen and Ja’Veonn Dully; and brothers-inlaw, Hugh Hodge, Orvel (Beatrice) Bond, and John Douglas (Members) Bond, Fayetteville, N.C., Escoe Branner, Manhattan, N.Y., and Thomas Dickens, Atlantic City, N.J.
Evangelist Willie B. Bond was saved at an early age while she was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dorsey. She also served faithfully under the leadership of Pastor Willie Kate Bradford at Mount Zion Holiness Church for several years. In 1963 she became a part of Full Gospel Mission Church, where she ministered until Dec. 25, 1994. April 7, 1967, she was licensed under the late Richard H. Hall of the United Christian Church of God in Cleveland, Tenn.
Evangelist Willie Bond has evangelized around the United States and foreign countries as well. Her telephone ministry reached as far as Athens, Greece. Even though she lost her sight at an early age, it did not stop her mission work. Her home was always an open place to worship. Her biography is tremendous, but the most impressive fact is that she is a saint of the most High God, lover of God’s people and Gospel Preacher.
One of her favorite songs is “I’m On My Way to the Kingdom Land.” We believe she is truly on her way. We will miss her deeply, but we find comfort in knowing that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal and the scripture declares that there remaineth a rest for the people of God.
At the request of Evangelist Willie Bond there will be a private graveside homegoing service with family and friends at 1 p.m. today at the Historical Pierce Cemetery. The family and friends will meet at Clark Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service Inc. at 12:30 p.m.
Special thanks to the nurses that made her time with us comfortable and peaceful.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at bond@clarkfc.com
Professional services and care of Evangelist Willie Belle Bond and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service Inc. 802-806 E. Sevier Ave., Kingsport, Tenn. (423) 245-4971.
