Elder Kathleen Whitfield

Elder Kathleen Whitfield aka “Kathryn,” “Kathy” and “Cool Kathy” was born in Williamsburg County, SC on March 22, 1938 to the late Joseph “Gussie” Whitfield Sr. and Belinda “Gega” Whitfield; she was one of twenty one children. Elder Whitfield attended the South Carolina School System and after graduating, eventually relocating to New Haven, CT in the 60's to work. Elder Whitfield eventually obtained employment and held many different positions, from laundry to nursing, but the position that she is and was most familiar with is that of counter person / cashier at Sylvan Cleaners where she worked for over 35 years. She met so many people and touched so many lives with her presence, she is also known as “the Lady from the Cleaners.” She finally retired around 15 years ago. Elder Whitfield loved to sing and attend church. She sang with numerous groups and one of the best choirs in Connecticut, the Mt. Zion Gospel Chorus, where she led songs such as “Heaven on My Mind” and “Let Everybody Say Amen.” She also taught Sunday School for many years under the leadership of the late Bishop George Grannison at Mt. Zion F.B.H. Church and at Holy Nation Tabernacle Sounds of Praise under the leadership of Bishop Mary Walton, her sister. Not only did she teach Sunday School, she also directed the Tiny Tots and Youth and Young Adult Choirs, she ushered for many years and whatever she found her hands to do in the House of the Lord, she did it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord, including cleaning the church and setting up communion. Elder Whitfield accepted the call on her life as a minister in the mid 90's under the leadership of the late Bishop E. Williamson. Elder Whitfield was a faithful servant to God all the way up until she preached her last sermon a few months ago, “Jesus is Calling, What is Your Response?” She gave that same sermon as God told her to for months, coming from the Book of Luke chapter 14, verses 16-23. Elder Whitfield understood the assignment and did the work. She will be greatly missed. She leaves to cherish her memory, her 3 children, Yvette (Vicky) Armour of Greensboro, NC, Pastor Designate S. Alexander (Alex) Boyd Sr. of Hamden, CT and Elder Belinda (Maria) Whitfield of East Haven, CT; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grands, 8 siblings; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother and father, 13 siblings and 1 daughter, Marcia.

Elder Kathleen Whitfield

March 22, 1938 - December 2, 2023