I, Betty Jean Hopson Scott Foley Thomas, have been a member of Tomola Church of God for 60 + years. I give all thanks and praises to God for giving me a desire to live for Him. My Christian journey started with my grandfather (Mike Hopson) paving the way. He passed away leaving to cherish his legacy, my grandmother (Sarah Stoke Hopson) and her three children. My father (Samuel Hopson), Mary Elizabeth Calvert, and Simon Hopson. Once my grandmother’s children all married and moved away, my mother (Freedoine Hopson) would send me to stay with her most of the time. She was the one who helped create my spiritual foundation. My grandmother in my eyesight was that light that shined so bright.
She was a devoted member of Tomola Church of God. She not only taught me the word of God, she showed me how to live by the word of God through the way she walked and talked before me. Thinking back on times how she motivated me to read The Bible. I loved that. She said, Jeanie, “that is what my grandmother called me,” let’s see who can finish reading the Bible first, and the race began.
We had Bible Class on Wednesday nights. We walked to church either by flash light or moon light. We sung a song and prayed. When the adults finished the children said The Lord’s Prayer. We each had to say a testimony in that testimony if we only said, I thank the Lord for being here, and not including, “Thank The Lord for being saved, the elders and mothers of the church would question us; and checked on us to see where were we in our Christian walk.
I remember when we were baptized by Bro Willie Albert Hopson and Bro Willie D Hopson. The only two men we had at the church. We were baptized in Mr. Henry Wedgewood's pond. It was really some Big Water. But, the Lord took care of us and didn’t let us get bitted by a snake.
I got married and moved to Aurora, IL. When I returned back to Mississippi I came right back to Tomola. I and my two girls (Beverly Jean Scott Silliman Wilkins and Yolanda Renae Scott Clayton). I married Robert Foley and we had Gloria Jean Foley Hopson. I and my three girls were members at Tomola Church of God. At that time there were only two men (Bro Willie Albert Hopson and Bro Willie D. Hopson). I remember we had Sis. ALee Hopson, Sis. Rosie Lee Pasley, Sis. Susie Hopson, Sis. Monica Naylor, Sis. Lizzie Naylor, Sis. Ruthie Lee Presswood, Sis. Louvenia Sloan, Sis. Eula Pettigrew, Sis. Hattie B Hopson, Sis Freedonia Hopson, Sis Eliza Gulley, and Sis. Mildred Lard. I am trying not to miss anyone.
As time went on men and women came to Tomola Church of God and gave their lives to the Lord, under the leadership of our very own, Pastor Rev. Willie J. Jefferson; who with much prayer as been with Tomola since 1984. Thank God for Willie Jefferson becoming our pastor. Down through the years the Lord has been good to us. When I got saved our Pastor was Pastor Bishop. Our next Pastor from 1970-1976 was Pastor Monia Naylor. From 1977-1983 Pastor Ruthie Lee Presswood. From 1984-to Present is our beloved, Pastor Willie J. Jefferson.