Obituary for Essie Bell Foster-Acklin
Mrs. Essie Bell Foster-Acklin was born March 29, 1929 in Morrilton, Arkansas to the late George and Essie Foster. She was the youngest of eight children raised in the Sardis Community. She departed her earthly house to be with the Lord Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the age of 91, surrounded by her loving family. We know that earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Essie is preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings, Athalene Cato, Jureatha Fleming, Aree Foster, L. T. Foster, Nathaniel Foster, Canzader Hood, and Louise Garrett; two sons, Bobby Joe Howard, and James Eddie Howard.
She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of the Zion Temple Church of God In Christ in Conway, Arkansas under the leadership of Bishop Frank Anderson, Jr. She loved her church and attended faithfully until her health began to decline; after which she made sure she continued to send her tithes and offerings to further support God’s work.
Essie loved ministry and working for the Lord. She often said, “Receiving the Holy Ghost is just like fire shut up in your bones”. She was truly on fire for the Lord which was evident in the many tent revivals, prayer meetings, and bible study meetings she conducted dating all the way back to the 70’s. She was highly anointed of God and she used her powerful voice to preach, teach, and sing God’s praises. In the late 70’s, Essie worked alongside then Evangelist Frank Anderson, Jr. to start the Power House Church of God In Christ mission in Morrilton. The power of God was truly in the place and many souls were saved, healed, delivered, and set free. Along with the mission, Essie also started a Sunday morning radio broadcast on KVOM radio station to further spread the word of God to the lost. Essie along with her small children would be at the radio station at 7 a.m. sharp on Sunday mornings to sing and minister over the airways. The Powerhouse church later merged with the Zion Temple church and Essie’s work for the Lord continued over the years through evangelism and outreach. In 2020, Essie was recognized by the mayor of Morrilton as a spiritual pillar of her community and was honored by renaming Lane Street to, Essie B. Lane Street.
In addition to her work in the ministry, Essie was a domestic worker, personal caregiver, and she had many gifts and talents such as a seamstress and an excellent cook. She worked for years as a cook at the Colonia Motel in Morrilton, and later as a factory worker at Morrilton Plastics and the Cotton Mill in Morrilton, AR. She also worked at the Conway Human Development Center in Conway, AR for many years.
To celebrate her life and legacy Essie is survived by nine children; four sons, Harold Dean Barnes of San Francisco, CA, Leonard Barnes (Dora) of Sherwood, AR, Powell Odom, Jr. of Plummerville, AR, and Marvin Lyn Howard of Pittsburgh, CA; five daughters, Elsie Harris-Hubbard of Conway, AR, Diane Barnes-Brown, of Morrilton, AR, Rebecca Barnes of Little Rock, AR, Peggy Barnes-Clemons (Jerry) of Morrilton, AR, and Rita Kay Odom-DeLoney (Kent) of Mabelvale, AR; one brother William Foster of Morrilton, AR; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Walk-Thru Visitation will be held 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Friday, February 5, 2021 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, 144 Mt. Zion Loop, Morrilton, AR.
Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 910 Walnut Street, Conway, AR. “IN YOUR TIME OF NEED…WE CARE.”
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