Eliza "Vernell" Lumpkin

Our loving mother, Eliza “Vernell” Lumpkin peacefully transitioned from her earthly home to heavenly rest on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at AristaCare Cedar Oaks, in the city of South Plainfield, NJ.  She was born on January 23, 1940, in Rock Hill South Carolina to the late Ford Henry Lumpkin and Viola Crawford Lumpkin.  She  was also predeceased by four brothers and one sister: Detroit, Cornell, Willie, John, and Annie Jane Lee.

Eliza graduated from Emmett Scott High School in Rock Hill and shortly after relocated  to New York/New Jersey to find employment to support herself and her children.  In the late sixties, she gained employment as a Nanny and Housekeeper for Irwin & Ann Rausch Family who treated her not as an employee but a family member to date.  The Rausch daughters, Lynn and Nadine never forgot Eliza’s helping hands; thus, she was always included in all family gatherings until her demise. In 1978, Eliza began another career at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) serving twenty-five years of service until retirement.  She worked hard to live and lived to help others.

At an early age,  Eliza accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Nazareth Baptist Church in Rock Hill. While residing in New Jersey, she became a member of Second Baptist Church in Metuchen borough, Middlesex County, NJ and later moved her membership to Tabernacle Baptist Church in the city of New Brunswick, NJ.  After serving many years at Tabernacle Baptist Church, singing in the senior choir,  she decided in 2021 to return to Second Baptist Church to worship with her children.  During this reunification, Pastor Robert Peterson called her to be the first Mother of the Church under his leadership.  Eliza noted that this recognition was one of her greatest joys in life being called, “Mother Lumpkin.”

Eliza was sweet and kind to everyone she met and always greeted others with an infectious/contagious smile.  She truly loved the Lord and represented his grace by singing of His goodness through her gift of mezzo soprano voice.

Cherishing her memories are her best and greatest joys in life, her children; Sheila Peterson (Roger), Deacon Franklin Wright (Robin), and Marian Hosey (Jerry).  She is survived by three brothers and three sisters: Palmer Lumpkin (Shirley), James Lumpkin (Betty), Larry Lumpkin, Corine Lumpkin, Rozena Crochen (NJ) and Hattie Thompson (Bobby). She loved her two grandchildren: Geri “Precious” Hosey and Maurice W. Riley III and one great grandson, Franklin Pierre Riley.  Eliza will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, surrogate children/grandchildren, and friends of whom she held near to her heart.  She loved and was loved by so many, not only in words but in deeds.  Love for Eliza was demonstrated  in her daily walk in life.  Thanks be until God for a blessed life filled with joy and love. The Family