Mercediese June Heard's Obituary
Sister Mercediese June Heard, lovingly known as “MOMS” and “PUDDING,” was born on June 30th, 1929 and was the second child born to the union of Bishop A. Gambrell and Incarnacion Beronilla, who preceded her in death. She was born in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and had an older brother, Velton A. Gambrell who also preceded her in death. At the tender age of 12 she was baptized into the Church of Christ after hearing the late Bro. Marshall Keeble during a tent revival meeting in Arizona. She married Issac James Heard, Jr. in 1947, who likewise preceded her in death leaving her to raise seven children; five sons and two daughters – (James, Bryce, Laurence, Anthony, Ross, Dionicia and Pacita). She raised all of her children in the Church of Christ, introducing them to the Lord and living an exemplary life as a true Christian role model.
She moved to San Francisco in 1954, and placed her membership with the Uptown Church of Christ where she remained until her passing. While at Uptown she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, in home Bible study, and Wednesday night Youth Group Bible Class. She also served as a Youth Counselor for over forty years where she worked with the California State Youth Conference Committee, and assisted in organizing Bay Area Youth Programs and Lock Ins. She delighted in writing poems, plays and skits and thoroughly enjoyed directing the youth for the church’s annual performing arts show. She was the Uptown Church of Christ secretary for eight years. She was a teacher for the World Bible School with over 2,000 students in Ghana, West Africa, resulting in hundreds being baptized. Through Bible Correspondence Courses she was able to conduct a prison bible ministry which also led to numerous baptisms. She completed the Bay Area School of Religion (6 years), Fishers of Men Bible Study Course (2 years), the Storm Troopers Bible Study Course (2 years), and attended the Sunset International Bible Institute for over 6 years. Throughout her lifetime of service to the Lord she received numerous honors and awards for her spiritual endeavors.
She financially donated to many Christian organizations, namely South Western Christian College, the Fresh Start Program, Ethiopian Mission work and other charitable organizations such as; UNHCR, Disabled Veterans, Wounded Warriors, SOS Villages and others, without fail. While working as the Uptown Church of Christ Secretary, she initiated the handing out of free lunches and clothes to the homeless in San Francisco as an outreach ministry program. She had a passion for gifting. She lovingly shared gifts with the youth and seniors on holidays and birthdays and always had something special for the congregation on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. She would regularly take the bus to visit, cook, clean and care for the congregations sick and shut in. She never gave an “Empty Card” and sincerely believed that no matter what a person was going through when they opened their card with money in it they would automatically feel better.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons James (wife Jacquie), Laurence, and Daughter Pacita Serrano; nine Grandchildren Duane, Lance, Curtis, Jason (wife Lisa), Carmenella, Shawn, Kaneisha, Anthony, Christopher and two extended grandchildren, Jo’Nelle and Derf; thirteen Great-Grandchildren; and five Great-Great-Grandchildren, and a host of friends and loved ones who affectionately called her “MOM.” She is preceded in death by four childres; sons Ross, Anthony, and Bryce and daughter, Dionicia and son-in-law Justino (TINO) Serrano.
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