Page 4 - MOY Journal_2020

Missionary of the Year

Honorees

Walter E. Miller (MOTHER A.M.E. ZION CHURCH)

(POSTHUMOROUSLY) WALTER E. MILLER was the fourth son and last born
child to Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Annie Miller born on January 5, 1934 in
Mount Ulla, North Carolina. Walter Miller was raised in a Christian home
and graduated from Aggrey Memorial High School in Landis, N.C. A few
years later he was drafted into the army in 1953 and was honorably
discharged after nine months. Once he returned home, six months later he
decided to leave North Carolina and find a new home in New York City at 24
years old. Then, in 1964 Walter Miller met his late, beloved wife of thirty-
eight years and married her in January 3, 1965. Together they had four
wonderful children. From those children, they have been blessed with nine
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Professionally, Brother Miller
has had a successful career selling women’s shoes at Selby Fifth Avenue
department store from May 1968 to January 1999, having been retired
currently for 21 years. In 1959, Walter Miller found a church home known as Mother A.M.E. Zion Church.
He officially became a member of Mother Zion a few years later; he felt right at home because he was a
member of the A.M.E. Zion Church back home in North Carolina. After joining Mother Zion, Walter Miller
joined the Steward Board, the Cathedral Choir, Men’s Club, Sunday School under the Christian Education
Department and became an honorary member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.
Brother Walter Miller has been a soldier for the Lord for a long time. He is thankful that the Lord
continues to keep him each and everyday. Praise ye the Lord!

Rosalind Gilford (MOTHER WALLS A.M.E. ZION CHURCH)

ROSALIND GILFORD is honored to be the daughter of Samuel and Cordelia
Gilford. She is the blessed mom of Avaye, her beautiful young lady, and is a
humble child of God that accepted Christ and joined Mother Walls A.M.E.
Zion Church as a pre-teen. She grew in faith under the preaching and
teaching of her beloved pastor the Rev. Idonia Stewart. She sang in the
Youth Choir and now is a member and director of the Gospel Choir. She
served as a Youth Missionary (Ys), Y.A.M.S. (Young Adults) and now serves as
the Chairman of the Life Member Council. She loves her church family and is
also a member of the Stewart Board, Decorating Committee and supporter of
all projects. Roz volunteers at Pathseo Soup Kitchen and Pantry. She serves
proudly with some amazing, tireless servants of God. The ministry is not
limited to the church but reaches outside as God calls us, where she feeds and
clothes her sisters and brothers in the Bronx, Harlem, Honduras and
Guatemala. Rosalind sees her job as another ministry. She works as a Peritoneal Dialysis nurse. She
trains both nurses and clients on home dialysis. The job provides an opportunity to meet patients
medical and spiritual needs. It's been a difficult year, but putting faith over her fears has provided her
with strength to make it each day. Being on the front line is a challenge, but she stands on the Word of
God to see her through. Sis. Gilford is blessed to have her family, extended family, friends (near and far),
her church family, GEM, and her job family. Our honoree walks in the affirmation of Philippians 4:13,
which says “I can do all thing through Christ, who strengthens me.”

NYC District WHOMS  Saturday, May 29, 2021