Page 2 - SheCame/SheSaw/WeConquered

JACKSONVILLE SKYLINE

Just a few years after consolitation, Jack-
sonville became the largest city in Florida
and the 13th largest in the United States,
and has a greater land area than any other
American city outside Alaska.

Population in the 70’s was 528,865__

SHE CAME LIFE SKILLS I, trials and experiences Vann developed leadership making. Whether it was in the formative years of

qualities early in life. It was
that would shape both her
high school at Matthew W. Gilbert High School
When she was
in the plan of God and her
or her adult years at Edward Waters College and
personality and character
a young girl in
future role as a visionary
Kindergarten, and prepare her for her destiny to be a Leader and Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU),
there was something unique and magnetic about
Pastor.
her teacher, Ms. and builder of lives. It was When she was a young girl the personality and abilities of Apostle Vann
Robinson, would not by accident, but rather in Kindergarten, her teach- As a young college graduate, her ability to get
often challenge divine order, that Apostle large groups under control and disciplined to
History began to take shape for the young girl who would one day her memori- The Cofer’s arrival in Jacksonville marked the learn, were tested during her first teaching assign-
rise in prominence as one of the country’s prominent leader and zation skills by beginning of a life that would impact thousands ment at Northwestern Jr. High. Although a petite
pastor. assigning her of other lives in the small town formerly known woman who looked like a student herself, the
longer verses young Jeannette was instrumental in establish-
IWho would have imagined of the country’s prominent for the promise of greater of poetry and as Cowford. ing a climate of respect and learning that would
that a five-year-old could leader and pastor. security, financial and fam- readings that Ier, Ms. Robinson, would Jeannette Cofer also continue to follow her throughout her twenty-
possess so much promise, ily ties, the Cofer’s arrival were not given often challenge her mem- helped provide the care one-year career in the classroom and later in the
imagination, leadership Apostle Holmes-Vann in Jacksonville marked the to other children. orization skills by assigning for her eight brothers and educational institution of her own, which she
beauty and intelligence? was born on June 15th in beginning of a life that founded and built in 1989--Esprit de Corps Center
Macon, Georgia, the first would impact thousands And although her longer verses of poetry sisters while her mother for learning.
But as the young Jeannette child of Harvey Cofer and of other lives in the small she often felt that and readings that were not worked outside of the
stood hand and hand with Gladys Gibbs. Early in her town formerly known as she was being given to other children. home. Through God’s prov- Since her youth, church was always a part of
her mother, along with her childhood, her mother Cowford. singled out, her And although she often felt idence, the future pastor Apostle Holmes-Vann’s life. Her mother, Gladys,
other two siblings, at the relocated the family to Ba- memorization that she was being singled would also develop the insisted on regular church attendance when she
local Greyhound depot in yard, Florida, a rural suburb Never fully aware, at that and oratory skills out, her memorization and skills needed to love, care was younger. Yet, as she became older, she became
Jacksonville, history began of Jacksonville, Florida. time, that God was getting were honed and oratory skills were honed and lead others. dissatisfied with her state and the state of the
to take shape for the young Although the young family her ready for her future sharpened for and sharpened for her Those who observed her church as she knew it. Although she was involved
girl who would one day found themselves leaving assignment. Dr. Vann expe- her future task. future task. as she grew up could with church her whole life, she was destined to
rise in prominence as one their hometown of Macon rienced many situations, one day meet ‘the God of the Church.’
While growing up, young easily spot a leader in the

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