Catherine Montgomery

Catherine Montgomery affectionately known as "Cat" and "Cappie". To her church family, God's Heritage, she was Mother or Mother Montgomery. She was born on September 2, 1936, the second child to Geneva Byrd, in St. Louis, Missouri. Catherine was raised in Madison, Illinois (across from St. Louis) with her grandparents. Her grandmother, Gertrude Byrd Johnson, was a Holy Ghost filled woman of God and Mother Catherine, always gave honor to her for teaching her about the Lord at an early age.

Catherine attended school in Madison, Illinois until her family moved to Grand Chain, Illinois. In May of 1947, the family moved to Chicago where she continued her education attending Brown Elementary School and McKinley High School. When Catherine moved to Chicago, she met Bertha Pitts, friend/sister and they have been friends for 72 years. Catherine continued her education at Malcolm X Collage, where she studied Psychology.

On January 19, 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart, Jake Dorsell Banks. To that union, her daughter Angela was born. Later she met and married Alex Montgomery and from that union her sons, Alex, Eric and Elliot were born.

At the birth of her youngest son, Catherine returned to her grandmother's teachings and gave her life to the Lord. She continued her walk with the Lord for 48 years until he called her home to rest with him. In 1971, Catherine was saved, baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Pastor Sadie D. Ware of Divine Temple Holiness Church, then located at 3355-57 West Ogden Avenue. In 1989, Catherine Montgomery was ordained and appointed as Co-Pastor until 1999. Many were saved, healed, delivered and set free under her leadership. She also began a Prayer Partner Ministry. She herself became a living witness of power of prayer, experiencing God's miracles and wonders in her own life. Catherine was a survivor of incest, congestive heart failure, breast cancer, and a complete knee replacement. Always testifying to the grace and mercies of God in her life.

In the summer of 2000, she joined the church family of God's Heritage Full Gospel Church under the leadership of Pastor James C. Williams, Sr. There she was welcomed and loved by all. Always willing and ready to be a servant to the house of the Lord. Mother Montgomery served in the following ministries until she relocated to another state: Food/Soup Kitchen Pantry; the Women Ministries; a Senior Mother of the church; Prayer Ministry; Global Prayer Watch Ministry; Heritage Community Services (HCS) and SCREAM Ministry. Mother Montgomery understood her purpose in the Kingdom of God and made herself available to help and lead others to Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 7:57 A.M., Mother Catherine Montgomery made her transition. She is preceded in death by her sons, Elliott Montgomery and Eric Montgomery; her grandson, Charles E. Harris; great-grandson, James Taylor Jr.; mother, Geneva Byrd; sister, Geneva Collins and brothers, Harlan Collins and Julius Collins Jr.

Catherine leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy, her devoted daughter and caregiver, Angela Harris­-Swoope; son, Alex (Delores) Banks; grandchildren, Angela K. Harris, Tojuana Harris, Michael, Latoya, Robert and Lavon; great-grandchildren, Cathelina, Deloris, Isaiah, Zariah, Faith, Aahnyah and Taylor; great-great-grandson, Christopher; sister, Gale (Sam) Garrett; brothers, Leo (Marva) Clemons and Harvey (Regina) Collins and a host of relatives, friends and godchildren.

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