Through It All

By Marilyn Whitlock Hockersmith

This book is meant to paint a picture to my grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended families, friends, and loved ones to be attentive to your children. It was not in the closet nor was it a dream. He was an unwelcome visitor that followed me no matter where we moved to. He would always seek me out after everyone went to bed. It seemed like no one could ever see what was going on when he was around. I developed a hatred disposition that was visible. I hated each episode. I just wanted to be left alone. He would always find his way to me. All I wanted was to be free and live childhood and a teenage life. It continued until age fifteen. I prayed that he would disappear, and one day he did.

I've been teaching, preaching, singing the gospel for over forty years. I recognize that nothing is more important to me than living a life for God and being an example for Him. Through it all, God kept me and God equipped me with a spirit of discernment in this particular area. When I see it hovering over young males or young females, I am now able to intercede on their behalf. The lifestyle I had before Christ had no character. At that stage of my life, character did not count. I've been told a lot of things by people who are gone on to be with the Lord. So many people have helped me in dire straits throughout my life. Through it all, I thank God for introducing me to those who have helped. Some have gone on to be with the Lord. Some are still here to encourage me to persevere all for Christ Jesus and kingdom building. I'm grateful for those of you. I believe that God wants us to live and enjoy life abundantly. I believe in having godly character because character does count. Abuse--whether verbal, mental, physical, psychological actions or threats, financial, bullying, manipulation, humiliation, injury, or pornographic--is catastrophic and detrimental to one's life and future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886162462

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Through It All

Marilyn Whitlock Hockersmith

ISBN 979-8-88616-245-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-246-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Marilyn Whitlock-Hockersmith

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Endorsements

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Living and Growing Up in Henderson, Kentucky

School Days/Segregated School Days

Moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky Living in Historic Delafield

School Days, Segregated School Days, HD Carpenter, Fifth and Sixth Grades

Moving to Hobson Grove: A Historic Mansion/Delafield Elementary School

High School Desegregation Days

Hobson Grove: A Bowling Green Mansion

Got on My Travelling Shoes Worldwide, 1971–1974

Living, Working, Singing in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1974 to 1986

Living and Working in Virginia

Singing in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland

New Direction, New Location, Attending School, Working in Kentucky

End of HABG, Beginning of BRASS

Dating Then, 1992

Dating Now in 2006

Marriage and the Husband the Lord Gives

It's in the Family

Spending Precious Time With Mom

Michael: A Blessing from the Lord

My Grandchildren

Experiences With Health and Wellness

Graves and Gilbert Clinic (GGC) Doctors

Thoughts of Healing and Communion With God

Sweet Memories

Dedication and Loving Thoughts

Special Loving Christians

Let's Go to Church

Looking for Love

My Friend John B. Edmonds Then

My Friend John B. Edmonds Now

Shakerag Now (2021–2022)

God's Not Trough With Me Yet

About the Author

Endorsements

It is with pride that I add a comment regarding Marilyn. I fondly remember when Marilyn interviewed for the position of administrative assistant at the elementary school of which I was principal. She had a variety of experiences but no work experience at the school level. I recognized she had skills, but I wondered if she understood and could handle all the responsibilities of being my assistant, as well as meeting the needs of an experienced office staff, educational staff, along with the elementary-aged students and their demanding parents. Listening to her calm manner, her respectful attitude and caring nature, I had no doubt she would be capable. What I found was that she served all components of the school community well demonstrating our school motto, Kindness is spoken here, during her tenure as administrative assistant in our large elementary school.

—Dr. Patricia Heiselberg

Autobiographies are written for any number of reasons. Having known Marilyn Whitlock-Hockersmith for two decades, I believe she shares her personal journey and the lessons she's learned along the way as a labor of love. Her journey spans continents as well as times of both difficulty and joy. As a result, this talented mother, daughter, sister, and wife has been molded into the generous and deeply religious woman I have been privileged to know. Life brings us lessons. I appreciate that Marilyn has chosen to share hers with me and with you.

—Charlotte F. Beason EdD, RN, Former Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Nursing

We are most honored and privileged to share this acknowledgment in behalf of Elder Marilyn Hockersmith. As fellow church members of State Street Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, we are graciously acquainted with this beautiful anointed lady of God. A scripture that best describes Elder Hockersmith's spirit-filled ministry is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. She walks daily in the light of the Lord, as she motivates, encourages, advises, counsels, and boldly shares the Word of the Lord with her love and affection for everyone. Best wishes for God's everlasting love and blessings. Amen!

—Dr. John A. Moore, Professor Emeritus of Teacher Education, Western Kentucky University; Mrs. Anna C. Moore, Retired Teacher, Warren County Public Schools, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Elder Marilyn Hockersmith's service to Word of Life (WOL) was greatly appreciated. I worked very closely with her. During the time she spent at WOL, she served as one of the elders and was a lead worshiper for the praise team. She excelled in her positions exhibiting one of the highest levels of faithfulness and loyalty. She always had an I-can-do-all-things attitude. I am grateful for her outstanding work and contributions to WOL.

—Mrs. Aleta Bryan, First Lady

Elder Marilyn Whitlock-Hockersmith has been a confidant, mentor, and advisor to me for over thirty years of ministry, an anointed servant-leader always seeking spiritual growth whether on the mountain or in the valley. I'm excited to see Elder Whitlock-Hockersmith share her unique ministry gifts with a global audience!

—Pastor Kevin B. Hartfield, Seven Loaves Ministries

I met Marilyn Whitlock-Hockersmith in 1987 at a church in Fairfax, Virginia. Over the years we have developed a lifelong friendship. From singing at my wedding to being a comfort to me when my brother passed away, she has shown herself to be a loyal friend. Her journey has not always been an easy one, but her life is a testament to Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. As you read her amazing story, my prayer is that you will get a glimpse of the truly remarkable woman of God that I know her to be. Her words of wisdom have helped me become a better wife, mother, and disciple of Christ.

—Elder Marsha Hartfield, Seven Loaves Ministries, Inc.

Marilyn loves the Lord and has a heart for God's people. God has anointed her to bring the truth of His Word to the masses, and she has been unwavering to fulfill her assignment. Marilyn has walked in the truth of God for over thirty years. She teaches and preaches with a depth of insight that is uncompromising and uses her life experiences to effectively help propel others to new levels of faith and trust in God.

She is giving and always willing to give a hand up to all she meets. I am pleased to say that she is my sister-in-law, but more so, she is my friend and sister in the faith. She is committed to excellence in everything she approaches, and I firmly believe she will continue to make outstanding contributions to the body of Christ.

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16 KJV).

—Dr. Sharon E. Whitlock

Words that fit Marilyn's character to a tee! Marilyn will share whatever she has with you—her humor, her lovely singing voice, a story and a kind word to lift your spirit. She would pray for you and with you, and most of all, she would share food! I first met Sister Marilyn six months after my college graduation. Even though I had a full-time job, great credit, and a nice apartment, I struggled a lot to get on my financial feet as I had accepted a wage that was not adequate for the cost of living in the Northern Virginia area. Marilyn had access to food, so much so that she could feed a multitude of people. It seemed like the more food she gave others, the more she was blessed with food to give. She was always willing to share one of her home-cooked meals with you. At the end of every meal, you would end up taking a to-go plate and a bag of groceries, complements of her pantry. More than twenty years would pass before I could share just how impactful her generosity was to me at a time when I truly needed it.

Therefore take no thought, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘Where-withal shall we be clothed?' (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things (Matthew 6:31–32 KJV).

—Sharon James

Elder Marilyn Hockersmith is someone whom I admire. Through her daily life, she demonstrates her firm faith in and love for our Heavenly Father. It is evident that she believes that Christians should be completely united with both Christ and one another so that Christ's mission can continue through the work of the church.

She is a highly competent and caring representative for Christ. She is conscientious in her teaching and in her ministry. I have been positively impressed with her communication skills and her Christlike demeanor. Her experience, travel, training, and positive attitude are important assets. She is an inspiration to me. She meets you with a smile. And I find her to be most understanding, encouraging, and supportive.

—Dr. Cynthia Palmer Mason, Professor, Western Kentucky University

Congratulations to one of the most loving, stylish, and gifted women on this side of heaven. We thank God first for her tireless effort to bridge heaven and earth through singing and preaching. We also are most appreciative of Elder Hockersmith's stance on truth and holiness. We were truly blessed to have served in ministry alongside her. We pray that this autobiography will touch your heart and help someone to know that God loves them and that God is able to do everything He said in His Word. Luke 6: 37 says, Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. Elder Marilyn Hockersmith has definitely given of her time, talent, and treasure to glorify the Lord.

We love you, Elder.

—Pastor James Turner and Rev. Tammra Turner, AA, BS, MA

Elder Marilyn Hockersmith is a God-fearing, God-loving, and an outstanding example of who and what a Christian should look and sound like. She is compassionate, caring, encouraging, and willing to serve. She has the voice of an angel and shares God's Word with His children in a dynamic fashion. Loyal, dependable, and trustworthy are words that come to mind when my wife and I think about Elder Hockersmith.

One of the many things we admire most about Elder Hockersmith is the way she is attentive to the needs of God's children and tries to lift them up and encourage them. If you are celebrating an occasion or going through a rough patch, you can count on receiving a card from her with a note in it to brighten your day. The Bible directs us to love thy neighbor, and she certainly tries her best to do just that.

—Attorney Scott and Lisa Mason

Foreword

E. Conway Bryan Sr., DBS, Pastor, Grace Covenant Church of Fort Lauderdale

I was afforded the distinct honor and challenge of serving as Elder Whitlock-Hockersmith's senior pastor from 1996 to 2006. It was an honor because Elder Hockersmith (referred to as Elder M) trusted me, through God's Word, to further her spiritual growth. It was a challenge (a good one) because she was well-seasoned in her walk with God and as a professional psalmist. She thrived on God's Word taught from a life perspective (i.e., relevant, inspiring, challenging, and absolutely noncompromising). During that ten-year span, our church underwent necessary growth pains. Elder M's godly presence and maturity were pivotal during that period.

Initially, we came to know her as Sister Marilyn. She began singing with our praise and worship team and conducted training to improve the voices within the team. When Sister Marilyn graced us with her God-inspired singing, it was always special and our souls were blessed. But ultimately, the characteristic that made her singing so compelling was her lifestyle of devotion to God. She lives the sanctity of God's Word unabridged.

Later, we learned she was a preacher at her previous church. That was exciting because she had already proven to be trustworthy and would help in any capacity needed. As our church grew, so did the need for pastoral care and ministry to our parishioners. One Sunday, she was asked to come to the podium. As an armed services veteran, I implemented a special military tradition. Elder M was given a battlefield ordination. Later, she completed the year-long training. That still remains an extraordinary accomplishment in my nearly thirty-year pastoral tenure. Lastly, Elder M reminds me of what Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 1:12 (NIV): Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Through her difficulties in life, Elder M remains a beacon of hope and a wonderful example for those who dare to live an authentic godly life. God's love and strength be with you, Elder Whitlock-Hockersmith.

Preface

The title of my book was brought to my attention several years ago. I had no idea this title was my mother's favorite song until she had passed away in August 2012. It was written on her headstone. What a blessing! God gave me the courage and where withal to write this book. Perhaps it will encourage those of you to tell your story. I earnestly believe it will set some of you free and hopefully make you free enough to tell your hurtful stories. The things that I am recording in this book about myself, my family, and my friends will amaze you. No one ever knew the inside story, the outside story, or the current story of my life. It's all true! I thought to myself, I have got to finish and write this book. So much went on in my life starting from age three. Many things have happened from that time to this present age of seventy. Nevertheless, I was determined to finish and write this book. We sometimes get so wrapped and warped by the stuff of life. Some may say they would not tell that they were molested and raped. I would say to them this is my story to share with those who have experienced the pain of hurt, shame, feeling lonely, and wanting to give up. They did not know my inside story, nor did they know the outside story. This is not your life story. You were not there, and you did not see or hear many of these things that happened. Nevertheless, it's all true. I could not talk in those days. I had no one I could trust or tell. My mother was being abused. I did not trust my grandmother, and I was ashamed and scared. This will be the year that I will tell some things that no one ever knew while growing up in the projects of my hometown, Henderson, Kentucky.

A memory is precious. It tells untold thoughts and unfolds dreams by bringing them all together in a lifetime of many memories. Furthermore, through it all, I was determined to finish and write this book. I desire to alert those that read this book some things that no one ever knew. Perhaps they will apply some of it to their life and be set free of their past. Please pray to the Almighty God and seek professional help. There is nothing better than to be set free from past and present pain, being full of hate, anger, and bitterness.

Through it all I desire for this book to be an amazing inside experience and an outward illuminating witness for Jesus Christ, the risen Savior. Get to know and become the image of Christ.

Sometimes in life we get so disappointed because we feel like no one cares for us. We start looking for ways to search for someone to care for and love us. Before we can get an answer, we've already gone in the wrong direction. Feeling like you're not being loved carries you to a level of noncompliance, irritability, anxiousness, defeat, and deprivation. It is like a place of no return. I call this place a biblical Lodebar. Even though I knew about the goodness of the Lord, it still was not enough for me to get to a place of complacency. I had to really know Him through repentance and forgiveness. The tears and hurt of being rejected made it hard for me to come back to where I needed to be, and that was in the arms of safety. I had to realize the only arms of safety are with and before the Lord at all times.

Acknowledgments

My heart rejoices for those who have encouraged me throughout the years.

To my husband, James, that the Lord gave me. Thank you for putting up with me when I would type under the blankets on my phone from midnight to the early morning hours preparing this book.

These two women. My mother, Mattie Whitlock—White who birth me and godmother, Nora Mae Wyatt—Ray. Both who helped raise me and instilled God and ladylike mannerisms within me.

I am so proud of my only son, Michael David. What a wonderful son you are to encourage and be so proud of me being your mother. Not only during this process of me becoming an author but throughout your life. What more could a mother ask for from a God-given, blessed, and highly favored son.

I dedicate this book to my grandchildren. Tyrek, thank you for showing me love as a grandmother. Michaela Danielle, I am so proud of you becoming well acquainted in the medical field. Keep thriving towards your goals in life. Jordyn Nicole, you are so adaptable in learning to do all you can do. Thank you for having respect for me. This book tells you that you can only make it with Jesus Christ in your life. I am so proud of your accomplishments, especially making all A's in every grade this far.

To Pastor Dr. E. Conway Bryan: I thank you for the life teaching words that you implemented through the years, while being under your leadership. It captivated and catapulted me in my appointed assigned ministries. Thank you for cultivating and broadening my mind to pursue more of God's wisdom with understanding while I lived in Northern Virginia. You helped me to take giant steps out of my inferior complexities into a fearless dimension toward God. I am also most grateful to you for allowing the Holy Spirit to humbly minister through you to my son. You won him over. What a powerful man of God you are!

After all the worldwide travelling, I thank two wonderful professional musicians; Derrick Lee and Gerald Dixon from Nashville, TN that supported and accompanied me in my earlier years of singing the gospel at various churches throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. May God bless you both.

Introduction

This book is meant to paint a picture to my grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended families, friends, and loved ones to be attentive to your children. It was not in the closet nor was it a dream. He was an unwelcome visitor that followed me no matter where we moved to. He would always seek me out after everyone went to bed. It seemed like no one could ever see what was going on when he was around. I developed a hatred disposition that was visible. I hated each episode. I just wanted to be left alone. He would always find his way to me. All I wanted was to be free and live childhood and teenage life. It continued until age fifteen. I prayed that he would disappear, and one day he did.

I've been teaching, preaching, singing the gospel for over forty years. I recognized that nothing is more important to me than living a life for God and being an example for Him. Through it all, God kept me and God equipped me with a spirit of discernment in this particular area. When I see it hovering over young males or young females, I am now able to intercede on their behalf. The lifestyle I had before Christ had no character. At that stage of my life, character did not count.

I've been told a lot of things by people that are gone on to be with the Lord. So many people have helped me in dire straits throughout my life. Through it all, I thank God for introducing me to those who have helped. Some have gone on to be with the Lord. Some are still here to encourage me to persevere all for Christ Jesus and kingdom building. I'm grateful for those of you. I believe that God wants us to live and enjoy life abundantly. I believe in having godly character because character does count. Abuse—whether verbal, mental, physical, psychological actions or threats, financial, bullying, manipulation, humiliation, injury, or pornographic—is catastrophic and detrimental to one's life and future.

Living and Growing Up in Henderson, Kentucky

I must have been three years of age to remember living in the projects on Adam Street in Henderson, Kentucky, in rows of a two-story, red-bricks projects. My aunt Dump's name was Marianna Rankin, who came one Christmas to visit us. She and her husband lived in Detroit. So much happened in my childhood! Some of which are too private to discuss. I wet the bed almost nightly and sucked my right thumb and stuck things like ends of a blanket up my right nostril. Once I stuck a brown bean up my nose. My mother discovered it when I could not breathe. My nose began to swell because the mucous of the bean swelled and the smell