“I Am Drinking From My Saucer”

I've never made a fortune and it's probably too late now.

But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I've hoed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough.

I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads.

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

~John Paul Moore

Acknowledgements The family extends sincere gratitude for the many expressions of care and concern extended to us. Your

prayers and support have lifted our hearts. Special thanks to Westminster Canterbury, the Ebenezer Baptist

Church family, Lettie’s favorite baker, Miles Young, and Owens Funeral Services. In addition, many

thanks to Sandra Rucker for coordinating the memorial service program booklet. Many blessings to you all!

Programs Created By: Kathy D. Jones

Lettie Coleman Madison On Earth In Heaven

September 16, 1909 May 23, 2015

Friday, June 5, 2015

11:00 A.M.

Ebenezer Baptist Church 216 W. Leigh Street

Richmond, Virginia 23220

Rev. Dr. Levy M. Arwood, Jr., Pastor

The Misty Flats

To every man there openeth

A choice of ways to go.

And the high soul climbs the high way,

And the low soul takes the low,

And in between on the misty flats

The rest drift to and fro.

But to every man there openeth

A high way and a low -

And every man decideth

the way his soul shall go.

~John Oxenham

Order of Memorial Service

The Organ Prelude…………………………………….………………….Mr. Heywood Harrison, Musician

The Officiating..……………………………………………………………...Rev. Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Jr.

The Opening Hymn……..…….…“When the Saints Go Marching In”…….........Ebenezer Baptist Church

Consolation Choir

The Scripture ~ Psalm 23

The Prayer of Comfort

The Hymn of Consolation..…………….…“Oh, I Want To See Him”……...……………Consolation Choir

The Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………….Mrs. Sandra Rucker

The Silent Reading of the Obituary…………………………………………………………..…….Soft Music

The Reflection

The Community ~ Rev. George West

The Westminster Canterbury ~ Rev. Ray Inscoe, Chaplain

The Friends ~ Dr. Virgie Binford

The Colleagues ~ Dr. David Forbes, Shaw University School of Divinity

The City of Richmond, Virginia ~ Mayor Dwight Jones

The Family ~ Rev. Cleveland R. Mallory

The Musical Selection…………...……...…“How Great Thou Art”….…………..….……Consolation Choir

The Eulogy…………….………………………...…………….……………..Rev. Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Jr.

The Musical Selection……..……….…“When We All Get To Heaven”…….…...……….Consolation Choir

Benediction

The Recessional………………………………………………………………….Clergy, Family, and Friends

~Repast~

At the Request Ms. Madison Everyone Is Invited To

A Cake & Punch Repast

Ebenezer Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

Following the Service

Christian

Daughter

Wife

Step-mother

Granny

Step-Grandmother

Cousin

Educator

Author

Social Worker

Leader

Humanitarian

Volunteer

Philanthropist

Friend

Ms. Lettie Marie Coleman Madison

was born on September 16, 1909 in Western Hanover County, in Montpelier, Virginia. She was called to eter-

nal rest on May 23, 2015 at her Westminster Canterbury home in Richmond, VA. During these amazing 105

years, destiny directed her steps along diverse routes but always onward and upward. Lettie was the only child

of Frank and Edna Coleman, tenant farmers. She joined the Bethany Baptist Church in Montpelier, VA at an

early age and was teaching Sunday School at the age of 12.

Her early education was received in the public schools of Hanover and Henrico counties; as she attended the

Bethany School and Virginia Randolph. She worked her way through Hampton Academy at Hampton Institute,

now known as Hampton University, and graduated from there with her high school diploma in 1929. Later that

year the family migrated to New Jersey and Lettie entered Rutgers University in 1930.

In Montclair, NJ she joined the Union Baptist Church where she faithfully served. Lettie pursued full-time em-

ployment along with full-time study in Social Work and graduated from the Newark division of Rutgers with

honors in 1934. Lettie was invited to join the faculty at Hampton Institute in 1937. She served faithfully dur-

ing her 3 year stint there as a Student Personnel Advisor and Dean of Women. In 1940, she relocated to NJ and

married the late Thomas D. Madison formerly from the Lynchburg, VA area and Montclair, NJ. Her home was

her hobby. Lettie's outstanding awards, accolades and work continued.

A Social Work career began for Lettie Madison upon graduation from Rutgers in 1934. Her first position was

that of Family Visitor with the Department of Public Welfare in 1934 in Montclair, NJ. She joined the faculty

of Hampton University as Advisor to freshman women in the Student Personnel Department. She organized the

dormitory councils and completed a research study on Work Year students. She joined the New Jersey State

Department of Child Welfare in 1940 as a Child Welfare Consultant. She was employed as case worker for

Family Service Bureau of Newark, New Jersey in 1942, and Chief Social Worker for The Salvation Army Hos-

pital, where she conducted research with unmarried mothers.

She was the recipient of a Superior Performance award given to her for outstanding professional performance

by the Social Service Bureau of Newark, New Jersey. Lettie entered the Fordham University graduate school of

Social Work and was awarded the Master of Science in Social Service degree in 1949. She also studied at Co-

lumbia University and Montclair State Teacher's College. Psychiatric social work was her specialty.

She was a board member of the Young Woman's Christian Association of Montclair for 20 years and partici-

pated in the agency's early integration experiences. She was a consultant for a daycare center and developed the

concept of Social Work intervention in this facility. Lettie's practice of Christianity brought her into constant

contact with Union Baptist Church of Montclair. She chaired a group which conducted an ongoing dialogue

with members of the aforementioned black Baptist church and members of the predominantly white Presbyteri-

an congregation. Lettie was the first black member of the Montclair league of Women Voters. In 1952, Lettie

joined the staff of the Essex County Mental Hygiene Clinics and served as psychiatric social worker supervisor

until 1965, when she moved to Richmond, VA.

Upon moving to Richmond she joined the faculty of Virginia Union University. There she developed the De-

partment of Social Work from a single course to a Department with full accreditation. Lettie Madison helped to

organize the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

She was a participant on the committee which affected the merger of several organizations which formed the

present body. As an active member of the northern Jersey chapter of NASW she was chairman of the educa-

tion committee which was active in establishing the School of Social Work at Rutgers. Lettie was a member of

the National Association of Deans of Women, the Council on Social Work Education, the Virginia Social Sci-

ence Association, and the American Association of University Professors. She was one of the organizers of the

Association of Black Social Workers. In the words of the poet, Guest Lettie was prepared "to fill some needed

post."

She has participated in numerous committee activities wherever she lived. Upon settling in Richmond, Lettie

joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church where she served and worshiped faithfully. She was active on the Board of

the Bethlehem Center where she organized the Adult Day Care Center in 1977. She was elected to the Senior

Center Hall of Fame in 1986 and other tangible honors came along the way. Lettie was awarded citations by

the Council on Social Work Education for Outstanding Contribution to undergraduate social work education

and by the social work students of Virginia Union University for 43 years of contribution to Social Work Edu-

cation.

Through The Community Foundation Lettie has created the Lettie Madison Fund which has benefitted stu-

dents at Hampton University and Virginia Union University for over 23 years. Her philanthropic spirit will

impact future generations for many years to come due to her generous contributions.

Author and beloved teacher, Lettie believed that her greatest honor came from the people she helped. Whether

they were some family who needed food, clothing and shelter, some patient attempting to cope with confusion

and despair or some student who wanted to move from where he was to where he might be.

As an avid reader, Lettie enjoyed participating with the Treble Clef and Book Lovers’ Club for many years.

She took time to record some of her rich experiences, creative ideas and astounding research findings. Lettie

is the author of numerous articles pertaining to sociology and the Black Family. Some of which were read be-

fore sociological organizations. Her four books are “The Black Social Worker”, “Upward Mobility”, “Step By

Step”, and “A Soul Looks Back”.

She was preceded in death by her dedicated husband, Thomas D. Madison, and step-daughter, Ione Madison.

She is survived by her devoted "foster grandson", Rev. Cleveland Rayfield Mallory (Elbertanna) of Glen

Allen, VA, step-granddaughter, Brenda Madison of Los Angeles, CA and step-grandson, Phillip Madison

(Maja) of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, foster "great-grandsons"; Cleveland Mallory (C.R.) and Clifton Mallory;

god-daughter, Tikia Bonner; numerous cousins, friends, and former students.

We give thanks and celebrate the life of this incredible wife, step-mother, "Granny," step-grandmother, cousin,

educator, author, humanitarian, philanthropist, and friend. Her life has not been in vain. Lettie took those "gifts

divine" and "used them now and then in service for her fellow men."

“When it looked like the sun wouldn’t shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds.”

~Lettie’s Favorite Quote, By Maya Angelou