A Journey of Faith

By Charlotte Reed

About the Book
Through sharing her mother’s story and faith in God, Charlotte Reed has composed an inspirational biography, with her mother’s life as a testament to the strength and power of God. Through the love story of her parents to the injuries and sicknesses of her children, Reed’s mother always prayed to God whenever an issue arose, and He always worked to provide her with the strength to see things through.
A Journey of Faith is the incredible truth behind the mysterious workings of God, and powerful example of a daughter’s love for her mother.
About the Author
Charlotte Reed is seventy-seven and has now completed writing her first book. Reed graduated high school and went on to work for twenty-two years for her local public school system as an administrative assistant, and later worked as an accounting clerk at a car dealership. She enjoys taking care of the flowers in her garden.
Reed is a mother of three and a firm believer in Jesus Christ. She attends church regularly and supports the outreach programs. Her mother is the credit for her devotion and moral convictions. It was through her example as she watched her read the Bible, pray, teach Sunday school, and educate her children to Love and Fear God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Dec 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890276049

Book preview

Acknowledgments

Thanks to those who have encouraged in writing this ‘Journey of Faith that my mother traveled alone most of her life. Those being my mother-in-law, Eula Mae Reed, a godly, retired school teacher, who spent hours reading it. My daughter, Valerie Reed Sanders who was only four years of age when mother passed away, and learned much about her by reading my scripts. My granddaughter, Abbie Sanders, who helped me maneuver through my laptop. Several friends who have not yet read it, but have heard me tell some of the episodes and encouraged me to write it. Valerie Reagan for suggesting the title of the book. Diane Casseday, my friend who encouraged me to get it published. Janie Sharpe my friend of 60 years who found the Dorrance Publishing ad in our local newspaper and brought it to me and said she felt it was the answer to our prayers for a publisher.

A Journey of Faith

Author Charlotte Reed

This is the story of my mother, Helen Simpson Mincey. It is written as a tribute

to her for her endurance through many years of troubles, sacrifices, steadfast faith in God and her unending love for her family.

Her life was a journey that consisted of less enjoyable days to remember than the many years of stormy turbulence. Although it was an ever-changing journey, she never had to travel it alone. For God, as stated in Psalm 139, was behind and before her. His presence was with her with every step of her journey. Her faith never wavered, and she left a legacy of faith for all her children.

My mother was born July 24, 1911, an only child to Amos Simpson and Callie Fritts Simpson. She was a beautiful brown-eyed, dark-haired little baby. They named her Helen Alberta. Although she was the apple of her father’s eye, he had always wished for a son, but her mother was unsuccessful in carrying babies.

Grandma was a small-built lady, approximately four feet tall and only weighing about eighty-nine pounds, whereas Grandpa was a tall man weighing about two hundred pounds. When Mother was three weeks old, they moved into the house with her grandparents in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Mother’s Grandpa Fritts and her daddy went to work in the town of Sweetwater, while her Grandma Fritts took care of Mother and Grandma Simpson..

When Mother was a year old, Grandpa and Grandma moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, seeking work. They remained in Chattanooga until Mother was four years old. Then they moved to Lenoir City, Tennessee. Grandpa contracted to haul logs to support his family.

In 1916, the headline news read that President Woodrow Wilson, who was in his second term, had suffered a stroke. His wife, Edith, assumed his duties, functionally running the Executive Office for the remainder of his term. She had become Acting President without being elected President. Work was scarce, and Mother’s daddy was relocating his family in an effort to find employment.

When Mother was five years old, they moved about three miles out of Philadelphia, Tennessee, into a three-room boarded house. It was a cool day in March, and Grandma sent Mother to a neighbor’s house to find out where the water spring was located. She was walking, carrying two small water pails when she saw a young boy on the hillside. He had already heard about the new family moving into the neighborhood and he called out to her, Where are you going? He approached her and introduced himself as Dave Mincey. She would learn later that his full name was David Monroe Mincey. He took her to the water spring and carried her water home for her. He returned to the spring and got more water for Grandma and helped her put things away. When Grandpa came home from work, Daddy put his mules in the barn for him.

As time passed, he became a regular visitor. As a matter