Alberta Waples

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12. Alberta Bertha Waples born November 6, 1925 to the late Bertie Cannon and Cooper Ross in Bridgeville, DE, was the first of ten children, eight of which preceded her in death. Alberta was educated at the Phyllis Wheatley School in Bridgeville, DE. In 1945 she married Gilbert Ethan Waples. This union was blessed with 3 daughters. The couple raised their own and still found room in their heart to raise three of their 13 grandchildren. You could often see the couple coming to church with any one or more of their grands or great grands on any given Sunday. Alberta enjoyed family. Her face would light up each time one of the grands would enter the church doors. Alberta was a domestic worker at home and for others. She was employed at Cannon’s factory part-time to help raise her family. In the year of 1950, Alberta accepted Christ as her personal Savior under the pastorate of Bishop T.C. Cartwright. From that day forward, Sis. Waples, as she was called by her fellow sisters and brothers, started working in the vineyard of the Lord. She never took her hands from the plow until God called her home. Sis. Waples was founder and first pastor of Booker Street Church of God in Georgetown, Delaware. Upon completion of her term there she returned home to Clarence St. Church of God where she continued to do the works of the Lord. She was a devout altar worker, staying as long as was necessary for deliverance. Her many duties in the church consisted of ladies Willing Worker Band, Prayer Partner & Warrior, Sunday School teacher, Usher Board, Women’s Choir, Bible School Teacher, Family Training Hour Teacher, Pastor’s Aide Committee, Communion Aide, Sunday School Superintendent, and Assistant Pastor. Pastor Waples worked while it was day because she knew and believed the Word of God “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work.” John 9:4. As night fell Pastor Waples had completed her task and we believe as Matt. 25:21 says “Her Lord said unto her “Well done thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” She was preceded in death by her parents Bertie Cannon and Cooper Ross, her husband Gilbert E. Waples, a grandson Frank Jenkins Jr., eight brothers: William Cannon, Walter Cannon, Alphonso Cannon, Eldridge Cephas, Harlan W. Cephas, Clarence Cephas, Otas Cephas, and Thomas Ross, and her sister Hattie Hopkins. Pastor Waples passes the mantle to those loved ones she leaves behind 3 daughters, Rebecca Andrews (Joseph Andrews), Alberta Jeanette Jenkins (Frank Jenkins), and Rosanna Waples; 3 children/grandchildren Alisa, Marcus, and John Waples all of Seaford; 1 brother John Linwood Cephas of Tampa, FL, 13 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters-in-laws Helen Cephas of Millsboro, Clara Jean Banks of Georgetown, and Maime Ross of New Jersey, as well as a host of cousins, sisters & brothers in Christ, and friends. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea said the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Rev. 14:13 “Let the people of God say Amen, Amen.” To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alberta Waples, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Alberta Waples

November 6, 1925 - October 19, 2016