HAMLET — The Prayer and Faith Temple was filled with thanksgiving and praise on Saturday, March 29, but it wasn’t your normal church service.
Instead, it was an appreciation celebration service honoring a very special lady.
Friends and family traveled from across four states as they arrived dressed in their best to honor Mother Mae Liza David with a centennial celebration.
She will be turning 100 years old in a few months. They wanted to celebrate her in a very special way, and since David served as a minister of the Lord, what better way than in the house of the Lord.
David was blessed with seven children, all but one of who were all able to attend: John David, Theodore David, Elder Charles David, D.C. David Jr., Patricia Lofton, Dr. Deloris Pearson and Shirley Jeffries. She also has 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
Loftin, David’s eldest daughter, mentioned how excited they all were to be able to come together for the celebration.
“We wanted to come together and show her the appreciation we have for her,” said Loftin. “She is my mom, and I am so glad for her legacy of living for God. She made her God as real to us as he was to her.
“I thank God for her life as well as her service to the community, the church, and the world. She has influenced so many aside from us seven children. As the Bible says in Proverbs, we are rising up today to call her blessed.”
Her oldest granddaughter, Vondra Leak, mentioned what she remembers most about her grandmother.
“I remember her praying spirit as well as her love for gospel music, as she was always singing around the house,” Leak said.
Before the celebration began, Pearson prayed for her mother: “Strengthen her in her body and mind until the coming of the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
David was born in Laurinburg on July 28, 1925, and her spiritual journey began at an early age. She attended Scotland County schools and graduated from the Laurinburg Institute in the top percentage of her class. After graduating, she became a substitute teacher in the public school system, as teaching was her passion.
At age 20 she married Elder D.C. David. They moved to Hamlet, and in 1955 joined the Pemberton Temple Church of God in Christ. She was later employed with Richmond Memorial Hospital for many years before retiring.
Her husband founded and pastored the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Wallace, South Carolina For years, the David family traveled around the Carolinas ministering in word and song, as well as establishing mission churches along the way.
After her husband’s passing in 2001, David was appointed pastor of the founding church. She is a licensed evangelist missionary, and also served as a district missionary.
Several took the podium to share how much David impacted their lives. During the ceremony, Evangelist Sylvia Hooper — along with others — compared her to being as the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman. Speaker Mother Annie P. Moody mentioned how David has been the benefactor to many people, including herself.
“We fellowshipped together often,” said Moody. “I liked getting her material because she always had good material; she had the foundational history of the church. She was always dressed up and could preach too. I love her and am happy to be here.”
Several songs were sung during the service, a few of which moved attendees to break out into a time of praise. Bishop Jamison F. Quick described David as a “light” in his life for many years.
“I’ve been close to Mother David since I was a boy,” said Quick. “One thing I love about her is that she has been constant, consistent. The small seeds she sowed in me showed me how to treat other people. There is nobody too small. I love her and thank God for her.”
“Even from afar people could take what she did and how she was and apply it to their lives,” added T.J. Grooms. “Now at 38 years old, I am a pastor and it is because of her and what she has done. She always had a smile and made things look easy, but we have to remember there were tears, struggles, and difficult seasons behind what looks easy.”
Next two formal proclamations were read by Kimberly David; the first on behalf of S. Patrick Manor, mayor of the town of Bolton, expressing gratitude to David for her faithful service in ministry and support throughout prayer, singing, and the love she has shown throughout her years of service. The second was on behalf of Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue declaring March 29, 2025 Mother Mae Liza David Centennial Recognition Day.
A third proclamation was read by Abbie Covington, mayor pro tem of Hamlet. Holding back tears, Covington said, “I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in this event. It’s amazing to see how one woman could spread the love of God to not only her family, but to so many.”
Rosa McKinney, a close friend, recollected a past conversation with David when she spoke to her about the ministry.
“If you are going to be a leader trained by her, you had to be faithful and you couldn’t be stingy,” McKinney said. “She was a very passionate missionary who was very dedicated to the ministry; she served it well.”
Diane Rogers, another close friend said David was “such a blessing to me.”
“ I remember Mother Mae Liza telling us to get yourself ready, have yourself ready, and present well; so we are presenting well today because of her.”
Bishop George W. Davis Jr. told a humorous story of when he was a young boy, and in closing said, “She was a holy example to so very many people.”
Dr. Tommy Legrand ministered with David and her late husband for many years. He spoke of the first time meeting her during an all-night prayer meeting — she was the only one who stayed and prayed with him throughout the entire night, as everyone else had left.
“It has blessed me for over 50 years. She was a praiser, and I thank God for allowing her to cross my path,” said Legrand. “Her labor and love will continue to live on in our hearts and lives. The Lord has blessed us all from benefitting from a true saint of God.”
Eldest son John David was next to speak.
“We were raised by church-going, God-fearing parents,” the son recalled. “I began to play the guitar at an early age, and the first four children were trained to sing and harmonize together, thus the David Children’s Group was born.
“Now unfortunately it wasn’t in the day of social media, so we can’t show you how awesome we were — you’ll just have to take my word for it,” he jokingly continued. “We all had a special assignment in the church. Those work ethics served us well, as we all became responsible people.”
Speaking on behalf of his siblings, John David said many in the family continue to carry the torch in the ministry — accomplishments rooted in their Godly upbringing.
In closing, the siblings took the stage and sang their mother’s favorite song, “I Won’t Complain,” leading David to perk up and clap along.
The service ended and attendees gathered next door in the fellowship hall which was elegantly decorated by Connie Gibson. They continued to celebrate and fellowship with one another while enjoying a full course meal catered by Angela Short.
David’s legacy of love and ministry will continue to live on through many generations. As several speakers compared her to the biblical chapter of Proverbs 31, it is all summed up in verse 29: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
