Page 7 - NYC WHOMS Presidential High Tea_Journal_5.4.2019_Neat

25 years. She has also decorated for special events and occasions at Mother Zion for 25 years. Today
she serves as Parent Body President Emeritus and Secretary for the Parent Body. Orris has always
had a strong commitment to serve people in need whether through giving her time or finances ever
since she was a young adult which continues today. Orris Grimes’s gift is to be a servant for the Lord
through her efforts as a missionary president as well as giving her time, love, and blessings to
everyone she encounters. She has received several awards such as: “Outstanding Service”- Mother
Zion Steward Board, “Mother of the Year”- Mother Zion, and “Mother of the Year”- NY Conference.
She has also been honored by the A.M.E Zion Lay Council, NY Annual Conference, Williams
Institutional A.M.E. Church, and the NYC District Youth Missionary Department. Orris Grimes enjoys
her gift for mission for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

SMITH-THOMPSON MEMORIAL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
RITA JEANETTE WHITNEY JOHNSON MATTIRE WILLIAMS

Rita Johnson was born December 1955 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to become a daughter
and a sister. The family moved to Richmond Hill, Queens, and as a child she
attended the Everlasting Baptist Church in South Jamaica, Queens. Rita was
baptized at the age of 11 at Everlasting Baptist Church where her spiritual
foundation was laid. It was a joy being there. Upon leaving Everlasting Baptist
Church at a young age, Rita Johnson became a mother and a wife, and always
being a child of God. When joining Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in 1991,
this Honoree was again baptized, and became a member of the Young Adult
Choir, which became the Voices of Unity. She is also a member of the Alter
Guild. In 2016 Rita joined the membership of Smith Thompson Memorial
A.M.E. Zion Church. Presently she serves as Parent Body President of the
Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary of Smith-Thompson. Under her leadership, she is proud of
participating in District Outreach ministries. She is also a member of the Steward Board and
Combined Choir of Smith Thompson & Calvary. Rita Johnson’s true joy comes from the Lord.

MOTHER WALLS A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
MARY JONES

Mary Jones, was born in Garnett, South Carolina, to the late Malverse and Ellamae
Singleton. She is the youngest child of thirteen. Mary spent the first thirteen
years of her life in Garnett with her parents and siblings. She attended the
Elementary School System in South Carolina. In the summer of 1970, Mary and
her family all relocated to New York City, AKA, Boogie down Bronx. She
completed high school in the New York City Public School System. Mary
received her higher education from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice
and City College, New York City. Mary resides in the Bronx, with her
husband, Kim Jones. They have two children, Candeese and Steven, and
six beautiful grandchildren, Cyneese, Jordan, Jeremiah, Jada, Layla and
Zaya. Mary enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling,
dancing, long walks on the beach, going to plays, summer barbeques and
living life. Ms. Jones was employed with both Mount Sinai and Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital for
ten years as a Medical Secretary. In 1987, she was given an opportunity to join the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In her years at NYCDOHMH, Mary has held several
positions. In 2014, a new division was launched, and Mary was promoted to the Director of Personnel,
for the Center of Health Equity. Mary became a member of Mother Walls AME Zion Church, under the
leadership of Rev. L.T. Brunner. She was a member of the youth choir and as the years passed became
a member of the Gospel Choir. Mary received and accepted God has her Savior many years ago. Her
desire is to do His will; to become and be more loving like Him in this walk, called life. She was
consecrated as a Deaconess under the leadership of Rev. Milton Stubbs; she serves a Deputy Steward
on the Stewardess Board and has been the Gospel Choir’s President for more years than she can