Susie Bell Johnson Wrenn

Our beloved Susie Bell Johnson Wrenn was born in Sebrell, Va on Wednesday, March 10, 1926 to the late Demoss and Mildred Hill Johnson. Susie was greatly loved, from the start, by her maternal grandmother, the late Savonda Jordan Reid.

Sister Wrenn was an articulate, gifted, refined, and lovely lady who was extremely zealous for the “ministry” and service of the Lord. She was saved at an early age, and was completely committed to living for and serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her chief emphasis in life and service was “holy living”, and she believed that the Holy Spirit surely enabled the saints to live a life of holiness, separated and distinguished from the world in every way.

In 1964, Bishop D. Lawrence Williams, Prelate of the 2nd Jurisdiction, Churches of God In Christ, State of Virginia, sent the late Elder Nathaniel L. Wrenn and his lovely and winsome wife, Sister Susie, out from the C.H. Mason Memorial Church of God In Christ, where they held membership, to the, then vacated, Oakwood Church of God in Christ, in the Oakwood section of Norfolk. She worked untiringly in that particular vineyard of ministry. She was an inestimable asset to her husband and to the ministry. She sang beautifully, she played the piano and organ magnificently, she was an energetic and competent spiritual leader along side her husband in that, beyond all of her gifts, she had a masterful command of the scriptures and, not only that, she was a powerful and anointed teacher of the bible. She was a tireless prayer warrior, a hospitable hostess, a tasteful and impeccable housekeeper, and a marvelous cook, who often took various people into her home, sometimes for extended periods of time.

The church and ministry increased greatly, and Sister Susie spiritually nurtured and lovingly mentored countless souls, many of whom have gone out to higher callings of Christian service and ministry. In 1971, Elder and Sister Wrenn, along with the congregation, left the Oakwood Church and established the New Bethel Church of God In Christ, next door to the former church, where Sister Susie continued to be an indescribable inspiration and role model of holiness, womanhood, and Christian service to all.

Beyond the walls of the local church, she was the State of Virginia Sunday School Representative, a capacity in which she served with acumen and highest distinction. She was President of the Hulda Club, which was a support group for Mother Beulah Lamb Dabney, who was the State Supervisor of Women during this era. Sister Susie served in numerous capacities at the state and district levels with excellence and honor. She was also in constant demand as speaker in many churches of varying denominations, where she forcefully proclaimed the full counsels of God’s word with unabashed boldness and anointing!

Sister Susie was always concerned about education and personal improvement, and she often encouraged others to be so, as well. She frequently enrolled in classes at various institutions; and, in particular, she was a stickler for “using proper English.” Needless to say, her appearance was always elegant, refined and regal. She will be greatly missed.

Sister Susie was summoned to a beautiful place of rest by her Heavenly Father on Saturday, May 19, 2018. She is predeceased by her parents, Demoss and Mildred Hill Johnson; her husband, Elder Nathaniel L. Wrenn; an infant daughter, Mildred Wrenn; four brothers: Leonard Hill, Jesse Hill, John Johnson, and Dean Johnson; one sister, Theresa Saunders. Her precious memory lingers on in the hearts of her son, Woodrow Wrenn; her daughter, Pamela Davis; two devoted nieces: Maxine Blanchard (John) and Margaret Ann Cobb (Wilbert); one nephew, Lemuel Eaton (Carolyn); special cousins: Helen Fennell-Gilliam, Linda Knight, Deborah Cooper, and Tina Pratcher; adopted daughter, Annette Coleman; spiritual daughters, Mary Boykins and Caroline Hasberry, along with many other cousins, friends, and admirers.

Her body will lie in state on Monday from 4pm - 7pm at Fitchett Funeral Home. Her homegoing celebration will be at Cathedral of Faith COGIC, Portlock Rd. on Tuesday at 1:00pm.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,

And I will give you rest.” - Jesus

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