Missionary Pauline Terry

Pauline Wiggins was born on October 13, 1926 in Tampa, Florida.  She was the eldest of four children born to (the late) Damon Wiggins and Mamie Lue Irene Wiggins. Pauline and her two brothers, Louis and Damon, Jr. (both of whom predeceased her), moved to New York along with their parents.  Pauline also has one surviving sister, Jessica Swaby.  Pauline attended school in Brooklyn, New York.

Pauline accepted Christ in her life at the young age of fourteen years old in a Revival conducted by Mother Dabney of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1939.  This service was held at the “Church on the Hill” where (the late) Reverend J.E. Bryant was pastor.   In this revival, many souls came to Christ.  Pauline, her mother and father, as well as her aunt and uncle were all “saved” and received the “Holy Ghost”. 

Pauline worked diligently in Sunday School as Secretary; she also sang in the church choir.  It was there that she met, fell in love and married Chester Terry.  From their union four daughters were born: Valerie, Brenda, LaVerne and Diane.

Years later, the Lord led (the late) Reverend Richard L. Bratton, Sr., who was a junior pastor, to start his own church.  The Terry Family followed him to the new church which was named Holy Tabernacle Church of God in Christ.  There, Pauline worked as the Church Clerk, Pastor’s Aide leader, Evangelist, President of the Missionary Board, Sunday School Teacher and Prayer Service leader.  After the passing of Reverend Bratton, Sr., his wife became the Pastor.  In his memory, the Church was renamed Bratton Memorial Tabernacle Church of God in Christ.  Pauline continued to serve faithfully by Mother Bratton.  After the passing of Mother Bratton, Reverend Richard L. Bratton, Jr. became Pastor.  Pauline continued to serve faithfully under his leadership until her health began to fail.  Pauline would always say “I’m working out my soul salvation, and I want to hear Him say well done my good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord”.

Pauline Terry leaves to continue her legacy, her four daughters: Valerie Turner, Brenda Rhodes, LaVerne Williams and Diane Terry; one surviving sibling Jessica Swaby (and her husband Arnold); thirteen grandchildren: Rodney (and his wife Kesha), Quentin (and his wife Maggie) Tawana, Zulema (and her husband Hassan) Jasmine, Whitney, Ashley (and her husband Preston) Adrienne (and her husband Warren), Benjamin, Jr. (and his wife Serena), Shanah (and her husband Reggie), Malik, Terence and Maurice;  twenty-four great-grands, two great-great-grands, and a host of nieces, cousins, other relatives, and the Bratton Memorial Family.

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