Mattie McGinnis
February 25, 1935 - August 20, 2024
On Tuesday, the 20th day of August 2024, our beloved Angel, Mattie Gayle ‘Patot’ Campbell McGinnis, gained her wings to meet her savior in North Carolina where she lived with her daughter, Irene and her son-in-law, Calvin. She was a free spirit on earth, yet she became truly free when she entered the holy gates of Heaven.
Services will be held at noon on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Lighthouse for Jesus Ministries, 6526 Chiasson Rd., Abbeville, La., 70510. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until time of service. Prophet J.L. Campbell will officiate. Internment will take place at Pleasant Green Baptist Cemetery, 800 Dorine Miller St., Abbeville, La., 70510.
Our beloved Angel was the first-born child of Rudolph Campbell and Vernice Joiner Campbell. She was a sister and a second mother to her eleven (11) younger siblings. While growing up, she was active in church activities at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. She graduated from James A. Herod High School, where she was a member of the state championship basketball team and an award-winning soloist in the choir.
After graduation, Mattie moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where she met and married the love of her life, Samuel James McGinnis Sr., her husband of sixty-nine (69) years. She then moved to Coloma, Michigan and became a mother to her six (6) wonderful children.
Mattie enjoyed working alongside her husband and children on their farm in Michigan as well as being a homemaker for her family. She found pride and joy in tending to her plants, farm animals, crops and preparing homemade meals for her family made love and the blessings of God.
Throughout her life the most important thing to Mattie was teaching and spreading the word of God with whomever she came into contact with. Mattie was well-known for singing and shouting throughout churches. Her love for music led to multiple creations of melodies and songs. She was also a self-taught pianist.
After receiving the Holy Ghost, Mattie received a calling from the Lord to preach and evangelize. She began to travel from Michigan to Louisiana to help her sister, Prophetess Anna Bolden, her brother-in-law, Pastor Donnie Bolden Sr., and her sister, Trula Thornton, to establish Lighthouse for Jesus Church. She moved back to Abbeville and became the Associate Pastor at Lighthouse for Jesus Church for over forty (40) years. She was also the minister over the Daughter of Rama.
Mattie was preceded in death by her father, Rudolph Campbell, Sr., her mother, Vernice Joiner Campbell her husband, Samuel James McGinnis Sr., her two daughters: Sabrina McGinnis, Cynthia Chisolm, her grandson, Lawrence Johnson, her two sisters: Shirley Rockette, Anna Bolden, Five brothers: Calvin Campbell, Oris Campbell, Rudolph Jr. Campbell, Youmeller Campbell, Allen Ray Campbell and one sister-in-law, Rosie.
To celebrate her life and continue her legacy she leaves behind: Three Sons: Samuel James McGinnis Jr. (Fran), Arnold McGinnis, Kenneth Ray McGinnis (Tracie); Two Daughters: Brenda Thibeaux, Irene Robinson (Calvin), Three Spiritual Daughters: Tina Sinegal, Elaine Broussard and Josephine. Nineteen (19) Grandchildren: Chris J., Elizabeth, Andrew, Zion, Crist, Conda, Kayawana, Chasity, Brittany, Angel, Sammy, India, Tasha, Joshua, Charisma, Tory, Jireh, Marcel and Sabrie. Forty-two (42) Great-Grandchildren; Two (2) Great-Great- Grandchildren, Two (2) Sisters: Bernice Broussard (Calvin), Trula Thorton. Three (3) Brothers: Lee Arthur Campbell, J.L. Campbell (Lula), Larry Campbell (Delores). A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family friends, and brothers and sisters in the lord.
Sister Mattie was a living definition of the word ‘Evangelist’. She lived every moment of her life spreading the good news of the gospel. She was not ashamed of the gospel. She would spin and say “Ha-Ta” anywhere she went, no matter how high or how low. Her motto was that she was going to do what God told her to do, not what man said to do. She truly lived and believed that to the end of her life. She shared the Joy of the Lord and the Love of God everywhere she went. She has touched, prayed, healed and blessed countless souls all over the United States throughout her lifetime. Mattie Gayle ‘Patot’ Campbell McGinnis is a legend and will never be forgotten.