 |
         |
      |
| Volume XXIII Number 4 | March 15, 2002 |
End Of An Era: Seminoles Say Farewell To Gladys And Pepper
By K.B. SchallerDAVIE - They came from near and far to attend the farewell party of Gladys Wigden and Pepper Harris, many dressed in their most festive patchwork. They brought gifts, cards, hugs, kisses and a few more tears.
They crowded into the banquet room at the Signature Grand on Saturday evening, Feb. 23, and awaited the arrival of Gladys A. Wigden and H. Pepper Harris, the guests of honor. Neither knew about the farewell party that would bid goodbye to the two retiring, silver-haired missionaries.
Outside, the winds howled in protest and the skies wept, as the limousine transporting the two women made its way to the hotel. It was only after they entered the lobby, and saw their names on the information board, that they became suspicious something more than a "family church dinner" was going on.
When the two entered the banquet hall, the audience broke out into applause. It was then that reality finally sank in, after 35 years, the beloved Gladys and Pepper were leaving returning to their native New York.
"June (Battiest) told us that we were going to a dinner to culminate a marriage and family relationships seminar we’d held at the church," said Gladys, dumbfounded, "I had no idea all this was going on!
Pepper Harris pointed an accusing finger, "I have this to say you really had us fooled and you’re all liars!" she chided good-naturedly.
The guests of honor were seated at a table reserved for them, and Rev. Arlen Payne, pastor of Chickee Baptist Church where the two have been members since 1967, opened with a prayer.
A video presentation, assembled by Ray Migatz, featured pictures of the two involved in what would be their life’s work. It brought back many memories to the church’s pioneers. Dinner, a sit-down affair, was served by black-clad, white-gloved attendants, eager to attend to every request (even for seconds).
Among the friends who came from afar was Kathy Antone from Oklahoma, matriarch of the gospel-singing Antone family. Antone told everyone how Wigden and Harris came to reside and work on the Hollywood Reservation.
"Gladys was once part of her family’s gospel group, the Wigden Family Gospel Singers," said Antone, "She was the only girl among five brothers. When the last of her brothers died, she called me up. ‘I want to keep on serving the Lord’, she said. ‘Do you think I could travel with your singing group for a while?’ My answer, of course, was yes." So Gladys joined the Antones, and through Kathy, met other Indian gospel singers. Antone introduced her to some key Seminole people. Among them was then-chairperson of the Tribe, Betty Mae Jumper. A devoted Christian herself, Jumper was instrumental in tugging the right strings to get Gladys established on the reservation.
"When I first learned she was coming to help the Seminoles, I told her, ‘I’ll give you six months’," said Judy Baker. Baker now laughs at her prediction, because Gladys stood her ground, and proved that there was some steel behind that gentle smile. Even during the tough times, both she and Pepper stayed put, and ministered to the Seminoles for 35 years. Pepper, a bit younger than the 84 years young Gladys, is the quieter half of the duo. She dates her friendship with Gladys back to 1945. "We met while I was still attending Pine Brook Bible College, in Pine Brook, New Jersey," she said, "I graduated in 1956, with a bachelor’s degree. We moved apart, but we stayed in touch."
When Gladys realized that her music and teaching ministries on the reservations were growing beyond her ability to fulfill them all, she gave her old friend, Pepper, a call. "She convinced me how greatly the Indians needed missionaries," said Harris.
They soon teamed up, and although neither is Indian, both women quickly bonded with the Seminoles, teaching and ministering wherever they were needed.
Much of Pepper’s ministry has been through teaching Sunday School. She has also chaperoned students, and volunteered her services at Chickee Christian Academy.
After giving the historical background of Harris and Wigden’s ministries, Kathy Antone then saluted the two with several of their favorite gospel hymns, in her signature contralto voice.
Other friends from way back also came to bid goodbye to the duo. Henry Battiest, Sr. (Junior’s papa) and his wife, Dinah, also came from Oklahoma, along with friends and other members of their family. Though they could only stay one night, it was an occasion none would miss. "We had to come out and show our appreciation," said the senior Battiest. Along with the other musical Battiests wife, Dinah, son Junior, grandson Zachary and Spencer, and Keeno King (the only non-family member) Henry also saluted Pepper and Gladys with some of their favorite songs.
James Billie, along with his band, honored the two with songs from his repertoire. He also "roasted" some of their most endearing qualities and actions. Seminole poet Moses Jumper, Jr., author of "Echoes in the Wind," read an ode he had composed especially for the two.
"I hope you will forgive me for how negative I was back then," he said after reading the poem, "I didn’t want to hear anything about Christianity. I thought it was the white man’s religion and a crutch for weak people."
Now a Christian himself, Jumper credits much of his spiritual growth to the two white-haired ladies.
Sally Billie, Betty Mae Jumper, Judy Baker, Henry Battiest, and several others also shared their testimonies, stating how their lives were touched by the selfless service of Gladys and Pepper.
Lilly Pope traveled from Miami to sing in honor of Wigden and Harris. "Every time I visited Chickee Baptist, Gladys always had a big warm smile for me. She always made me feel welcome," she said, "It was my pleasure to sing in honor of the work they have done." Some of the Chickee Church members who shared how the two silver-maned missionaries touched their spiritual lives were so choked up with tears, it was difficult for them to speak.
Each testimony touched the heart, but perhaps the most rousing of the speeches was that of Yvonne Courtney, daughter of the late Rev. Bill Osceola.
"I want to thank these two ladies for being there for me at a time when I really needed somebody to put me on the right track," she said, "I’ve now given my life to the Lord, and there’s no way I will ever turn back."
Also a gifted singer, she moved the audience by ending with a powerful gospel song. As they were called forward for their final formal recognition, Gladys Wigden and Pepper Harris said that it had been their greatest pleasure to serve the spiritual needs of the Seminole people.
Rev. Payne gave the benediction, and closed by stating, "Though they are leaving their Chickee family, we have prayed and laid hands on them We now send them forth, in Jesus’ name. And the challenge is this, that we continue the work they began here, the work to which they dedicated their lives."
Gladys shared one final thought. "I have a nephew who is active in ministering to the Indian Tribes in New York, where we’re moving. He told me that he wants to discuss something he thinks I’ll be interested in. I asked him what it was, but all he’d say was, ‘You’ll see when you get up here’."
| Home · History · Culture · Tourism & Enterprises · Government · Services · Employment |
Copyright © MMIV Seminole Tribe of Florida
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33024
Phone: (800) 683-7800
URL:
All questions/comments: tribune@semtribe.com
Webmaster: webadmin@semtribe.com
Web site maintained by Seminole Tribe of Florida