Remembering the Life & Legacy of Rosette T. Graham

by Lott Carey | Jan 4, 2021 | News

Remembering the Life & Legacy of Sister Rosette Tabb Graham

President of Women In Service Everywhere (W.I.S.E.)
Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, Inc.
September 23, 1954 – December 23, 2020

The Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, Inc. announces with deep sorrow the passing of Rosette Tabb Graham. Sis. Graham departed this life on December 23, 2020. She served the Lott Carey family in many capacities over the years, and until her passing, as President of W.I.S.E.

In her own words, as published in the Winter Lott Carey Herald, December 2019, Sis. Graham shared her passion for missions and women’s rights: “Being involved with WISE keeps me informed about the concerns of women around the world and allows me to keep Lott Carey informed so we can walk beside women and always be in prayer for women.” Prayer was a constant for Graham and a powerful tool as she grapples with a host of unsettling questions related to injustice facing women. “We have to be very careful when we go into a country and talk about issues dealing with women because in many countries the issues we’re dealing with are not against the law,” says Graham, who has led missions’ trips to New Orleans after Katrina, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Ethiopia, and most recently Kenya.

The Lott Carey family joins me in extending heartfelt sympathy to the family of our Sister and fellow soldier of the cross, Rosette Tabb Graham, who loved God and God’s people regardless of their location. Not only did she bear her burden in the heat of the day, but she also shouldered the burdens of thousands of her father’s children in advocating and interceding on their behalf. May the heavenly angels received our sister from her labor. Rest in peace, your race is won.

Reverend Gregory Jackson
President, Lott Carey

Sister Graham’s warm personality was inviting and comfortable, which aided in meeting the many challenges of her leadership position. She wore her title with pride and respect, and was extremely supportive of my work as Chairman, Board of Directors. Her approach was always one of inclusiveness, never promoting any personal agenda. She was thorough in her work performance, respected by her peers who valued her opinion and suggestions.

I am reminded of my absolute delight in December 2019 when Ms. Graham accepted to serve as Chairperson for the Installation Service of Reverend Emmett Lafayette Dunn, the sixth Executive Secretary-Treasurer during the 123rd Annual Convention. I was confident that she would produce a stellar memorable event.

Ms. Graham’s service and contributions to Lott Carey extended far beyond W.I.S.E. into Lott Carey across the board; therefore, her mere presence and professional demeanor will be missed for years to come. The annals of Lott Carey will no doubt record Ms. Graham’s contributions to missions and her dedication to making life better for humankind as unparalleled.

Reverend Dr. John M. Alexander
Chairman, Lott Carey Board of Directors

Sister Graham will be remembered as a woman of faith and vision. An extraordinary servant leader with a deep passion for missions and a strong advocate for women. She had an uncompromising commitment to her church (Alfred Street Baptist Church) and pastor Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley. We were so excited to serve together in Lott Carey’s leadership. Her life was a reflection of the ONE she served.

Reverend Dr. Gina M. Stewart
1st Vice President, Lott Carey

Reflecting on the life and legacy of President Rosette Graham, I am reminded of her love of music and serving on the mission field. Like a hymn of praise, her passion for ministry was orchestrated by God. With a rhythm and rhyme uniquely her own, Sister Graham loved the Lord. Engaging, encouraging, and empowering women was how Rosette touched lives with transforming love. As a mission-minded leader focused on the good news, global needs, and the great commission, she served the Lord with gladness. In October of 2019, on our last mission immersion together in Kenya, her heart was joyful as we toured the Women’s Empowerment Center. I can still see the glow of love radiating from her spirit as she embraced the children at the orphanage. As we ascended into the clouds to visit a Lott Carey church high in the hills, I remember her gratitude for the gift of freshly picked coffee beans. Singing and dancing with the Maasai tribe is how we celebrated the completion of our mission immersion. I am grateful for the time we spent as sisters in Christ serving the Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me-will forever be remembered as Sister Graham’s song of praise.

Reverend Dr. Angelita Clifton
1st Vice President, Women In Service Everywhere – Lott Carey

Rosette Graham was a gift to God’s people. She personified the missional lifestyle, making sacrifices at the expense of her wellbeing. Her word could be trusted and her commitment unmatched. Lott Carey has lost a giant of a missionary. Rest eternal, and may light everlasting shine upon her.

Reverend Emmet L. Dunn
Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Lott Carey

Public Viewings:

Monday, January 4 @ 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Alexander Pope Funeral Home
5538 Marlboro Pike
Forestville, MD 20747
301-568-4100

Tuesday, January 5 @ 11:00am – 1:00pm & 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Alfred Street Baptist Church
301 S Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22304

Wednesday, January 6 @9:00am – 10:45am
Alfred Street Baptist Church

All COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

A Private Family Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 @ 11:00am

Live stream on alfredstreet.org, YouTube & Facebook Live

Retirement Announcement: Kathi L. Reid

by Lott Carey | Jan 4, 2021 | News

Missions & Disaster Relief Specialist Kathi L. Reid Announces Retirement

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – Kathi L. Reid, Program Manager, Disaster Services, retired as of December 31, 2020. Reid, a Baltimore native, joined the global missions organization in 2011 and has been a part of its worldwide outreach to people and places devastated by natural disasters – from Louisiana to Haiti.

“I will miss the camaraderie of colleagues, working with the international partners, advocating for Haitian rights, the Disaster Services Network, supporting disaster relief in the US and in the Caribbean and supervising short-term missions,” says Reid, 65, “There are some personal projects I want to focus on, including my family genealogy.”

Reid, a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, earned her B.S. in business from Towson State University in Maryland and M.B.A. from Mercer University in Atlanta. Her expertise in management, marketing and international church planting coordination provided a solid base for her role as program manager for short-term missions, advocacy, volunteer deployment and funding for disaster services. She was instrumental in renewing the partnership between Lott Carey and the American Red Cross.

Skills and devotion has distinguished her service.

“Kathi’s professional life demonstrates the biblical mandate to care for the least of these,” says Rev. Emmett L. Dunn, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Lott Carey. “I am grateful for her spirit of cooperation and her ability to adapt to unusual situations.”

Earl Brown, Director of Partnership and Agreements for the American Red Cross, says Lott Carey was an ideal spot for her, “Kathi is quiet and gentle but she’s very persistent. When she has a target or a goal in mind, she will stay with it until it’s reached. There’s a frankness and dedication. She really cares about people.”

Says Rev. Dunn: “We all wish her good health, happiness and a joyful time with her family.”

TV Interview in Haiti, 2013, with (from left) Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Ms. Reid, Dr. Stephen J. Thurston of the National Baptist Convention of America, former Haiti Ambassador Raymond Joseph and interviewer.

Ms. Reid and Lott Carey staffer Takeshia Klu at the Fire Campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the organization’s 2019 Annual Session.

Feed Zimbabwe PSA

by Lott Carey | Oct 26, 2020 | News

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE!

by Lott Carey | Oct 20, 2020 | News

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE!

A “Hunger Appeal” for Zimbabwe from
Rev. Emmett L. Dunn Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Lott Carey

Lott Carey, we need your donations, prayers and participation to help alleviate the hunger crisis in southern Africa. Proceeds from our Feed Zimbabwe campaign will allow Lott Carey partners in Zimbabwe to purchase food for citizens and seed for farmers. We recognize everyone is going through tough times. But our financial gift will provide a special blessing that will help Feed Zimbabwe. Thank you in advance for your support. Please read our story, then click one of the Ways to Donate links.

Zimbabwe. A beautiful land with beautiful people: The cultural richness of the Shona and Ndebele; the thundering waters of Mosi-oa-Tunya; the bustling cities of Bulawayo and Harare, the capital. The nearly 15 million residents are rightly proud of their country, which thrived when it shook off colonial rule in 1980. But now there is trouble in the land, Hunger.

A deadly combination of hyper-inflation, government mismanagement and natural disasters has created a vicious circle that is literally taking the food from the mouths of Zimbabweans. Farmers cannot afford to buy the seed needed to raise crops and citizens are hard-pressed to buy food that is available.

“Many are failing to put food on the table mainly due to prolonged drought, economic hardships and the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Henry Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe Theological Seminary and Lott Carey partner. “About one in four children under the age of 5 are at risk of impaired and cognitive growth. There is a need to continue essential nutrition and health services for all children.”

Dr. Mugabe says a family of five needs basic commodities such as mealie meal, cooking oil, soap, salt, rice, and sanitary wear, which costs about $20 U.S dollars, more than $7,200 in Zimbabwean currency. A monstrous annual inflation rate that climbed to 837.53% during the summer adds to a litany of woes that include a depleted groundwater supply caused by drought, destruction and death from Cyclone Idai, and years of government negligence.

“Millions of Zimbabweans are food insecure, with 3.8 million in need of immediate food assistance,” says Mugabe. “Also, since this is the beginning of the rainy season, farmers need seed to grow their fields.”

Corn (maize) is a principal crop and is employed in a variety of dishes. Other staples include wheat, millet, barley, and soybeans. Dr. Mugabe says a 44-pound bag of maize seed (20 kg) cost $30 U.S. dollars, about $10,857 in Zimbabwean currency but is a first step in solving the hunger crisis.

“That bag of seed is enough for an average family with two acres of land to put food on the table and be self-sustaining,” says Mugabe, who also calls for better land utilization and improvements in fishery, poultry and cattle practices.

Lott Carey, we can make a difference.