Obituary for Herbert John Singletary Sr.
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A Summation of Life Events of Herbert Singletary
Herbert John Singletary, Sr. was born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Anna Singletary in Baltimore, MD on February 8, 1930. He was the brother of 10 siblings. Like all of Samuel and Anna’s children, he was raised in Catonsville in Baltimore County, Maryland. Mom Anna insured that her kids were involved in activities within the Church of God in Baltimore.
Herbert met the love of his life, Thelma Mae Perry at a church function in 1947 in Newport News, VA. He told her he was going to marry her after she graduated high school. Lo and behold on August 27, 1950, they were joined in holy matrimony. They loved each other for more than 70 years of their lives.
From this union, six children were born. Herbert took this task seriously and maintained balance while raising his kids. He was active as President of the Parent Teacher Association while the kids were students at Woodridge Elementary School. While doing dad duties, he remained committed to his church. Herbert was also part of the Fairfield Knolls Community Association. Herbert and Thelma’s consistent support and contributions to their family, extended family, society, and the church exemplify their care and compassion toward everyone through many endeavors throughout their lives. According to the children (with a smile), there were many moments of what appeared to be unappreciated acceptance in other words strict and disciplined control during their kindergarten through 12th grade growth years; however, the Godly foundation that was imparted are now appreciated as building blocks toward their present-day spiritual growth. Overall, Herbert and Thelma have been a consistent inspiration, exhibiting a spirit that encouraged excellence with all they have encountered as leaders as well as team participants.
Early School and Work Life
Although Herbert was a gifted athlete, he had to continually balance his time between sports and part-time jobs – work was usually the priority, to satisfy his indoctrinated desire to contribute to the household. Buying coal and ice in bulk, then selling piecemeal to residential customers was physically challenging, but Herbert and his brothers dabbled in the trade for minimal income. After graduating from Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD., a multitude of full-time jobs were to follow. He held various positions on barges in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, for which the most significant was a welder for United Shipbuilder at the dry dock in Baltimore MD.
Herbert and his brother Sammy would support their sister Mary Crawford by working odd jobs at the historical Crawford Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. The Crawford Hotel provided top shelf lodging to prominent African American celebrities during a period of segregation.
Herbert used his work experience from a variety of assignments on ship barges within Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to secure employment within the Baltimore & Ohio trainyard systems in Washington, DC. He was later employed by Enterprise Savings and Loan, initially performing maintenance and chauffeur tasks. Over time, he consistently proved his loyalty in protecting the firm’s property, thus earning their trust to have him physically hand-carry major bank deposits to and from the National Bank of Washington, which was on the same block. He was recommended for a teller training pool prior to leaving Enterprise for a new career opportunity with Prudential Insurance Company.
He was recruited by Prudential Insurance Company to increase sales in the inner city; however, his ability to relate with people at all income levels led him to achieve multiple Salesman of the Year awards, thus earning him bonuses that included multiple cruises and expense-paid trips to major resorts.
Early Church Life
Herbert’s service to the Church of God in Baltimore was consistent with his brothers’ families, including Elijah and Doris, as well as Sammy and his children. After his marriage to Thelma, they moved to Washington, DC where they continued their service and fellowship with the Baltimore Church – all under the Church of God umbrella.
Herbert and Thelma’s contributions to the Church of God’s Gospel Spreading Association (founded by the late ‘Elder’ Lightfoot Solomon Michaux) did not take a back seat while they were concurrently juggling assignments with their school and residential neighborhoods. This church entity was and still is famously known nationally for the ‘Happy Am I’ tagline and its signature Cross Choir (for which Thelma sang) and Annual Baptism Pageantry (for which Herbert built many stage props). Herbert became a gospel minister and took on several leadership assignments, such as Sunday School Teacher, Street Preacher at the ‘O’ Street Market, and Counselor at Camp Lightfoot during the summer months – known throughout Camp Lightfoot as “Rock”.
Ministry Enrichment
Herbert’s ministry assignments evolved and continued to grow at Church of God’s Gospel Spreading Association in Washington DC. with consistent service as a teacher in Sunday School, and vacation bible school. Concurrently, he was sent to Hampton and Newport News to assist with starting new churches. He was subsequently deployed many times to lead revivals within the family of churches within Church of God system (inclusive of Baltimore, MD Philadelphia, PA New York, NY Richmond, Hampton, and Newport News, VA) as well as locations in Catonsville MD. Herbert maintained a strong bond with the congregation of his original ‘home church’, the Church of God in Baltimore, MD, especially their late pastor and his buddy, the late Elder Jake Butler.
Through fellowship and support with and to the Church of God at Lothian, MD, Herbert was appointed Assistant Pastor to the late Elder Raymond C Wills. His administrative experience came in handy while he was the Assistant Pastor, under the tutelage of Elder Raymond C. Wills. While at Herbert’s side, Thelma continued to her leadership role in the music ministry – At the Lothian location, Thelma concurrently directed three choirs until they both left to establish the Church of God in Forestville, MD. He served at the Church of God Lothian for 25 years before founding the Church of God in Forestville MD in 1992.
From Pastor to Senior Pastor to Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Herbert, First Lady Thelma Singletary, and several members branched out with a new ministry from their home on Walker Mill Drive in Forestville with Bible study. An enjoyable fellowship was maintained, and the hospitality was appreciated. Everyone was on one accord to seek a place to meet outside of the Singletary household.
The Lord led the new ministry to the Walker Mill School, which was not far from the Singletary home. They continued to attract new members over several months at this location. Thelma continued as the minister of music, while Herbert led the new Church through significant growth as the Pastor. A change of venue opportunity was presented by one of the members (the late Mother Jeanette Perkins) as a short-term budget solution, and the Lord guided them to her spacious home on 16th Street in Washington, DC, about 3 blocks from Walter Reed Army Hospital. After more than a year, the journey continued back to Forestville to a house on Boones Lane off Marlboro Pike. The “Forestville Nursing Home” was selected for Community Outreach, and every 4th Sunday was devoted to fellowshipping with them. The journey continued to the Kettering Community Center in Kettering, MD This facility had the accommodations that were needed for growth. It was nice. At that time, Pastor Singletary, 1st Lady Singletary, Asst. Pastor William Fuller and his wife Iris Fuller started to develop different auxiliaries for the ministry such as Sunday School, Choirs, and conducting relevant seminars. The fellowship was enriched as The Late Deacon and Sis. Brooks, The Late Deacon Lewis Estep Sr. and his wife, the late Deacon Nobel Estep and the Estep family participated in the Church of God Forestville all to the glory of the Lord. Herbert, Lewis, and Nobel shared a special bond and their fellowship was life lasting.
The last physical move was to Meadowview Drive in Forestville, MD. It was accomplished with the assistance of Minister Robert Reed and his wife Jackie. Many others assisted with the physical transformation of this old schoolhouse structure – including Elder Desi Weems and his family. The newly renovated Church of God of Forestville continued to fellowship with several ministries and churches – inclusive of Young Memorial Church and New Zion Apostolic Church (led by Bishop Herbert Best), Crusader Baptist Church of God (led by the late Pastor Rodney Davis and his wife Naomi Wills Davis). Later in the ministry, Elder Hadley, his wife, and his family joined, and through succession from Assistant Pastor, he was appointed Pastor upon Herbert's ascension to Pastor Emeritus status through limited retirement.
Grandfather and Senior Counselor During Retirement Years
In 1982, Herbert suffered a massive heart attack and did not return to work – Herbert was able to secure full retirement benefits from his lengthy tenure at Prudential. Throughout their retirement years, Herbert dabbled in artwork painting, He received a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Care at Theological Seminary in Baltimore, MD. Herbert and Thelma enjoyed traveling, inclusive of their timeshare in Ocean City, MD where he could enjoy dabbling in one of his passions – fishing. They also enjoyed many cruises - most were outside of the continental US. To enhance his painting skills, Herbert attended several art classes at Prince Georges’s Community College.
Herbert’s favorite scriptures Psalm 1 and Psalm 32:8 – Herbert’s favorite song: “I will guide thee; I asked the Lord to comfort me”
Herbert leaves to cherish his memories two siblings: Bishop Elijah Solomon Singletary and Michael Singletary Sr - six children: Herbert Singletary Jr, Don Singletary (Tarinda), Adele Wills (Central), Gwen Gatewood, Charlene Stewart, and Judith Russell (Daniel Jr) as well as Elaine Coby (special daughter) – 14 Grandchildren - Tiffany (Virgil), Tracey (Tim), Candace (William), Amber, Sherae, Geary, Ráchel (Calvin), Shawn, Sheree (Patrick), Sheana (Robert), Shaun, Daniel III, Kim, Kyle, as well as 26 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Herbert was preceded in death by his lovely wife Thelma Mae Singletary of 70 years in 2020, siblings Samuel Moses Singletary Jr, Pearl Rogers, Reva Julian, Frederick Singletary, Harold Singletary, Mary Crawford, Roosevelt Singletary, Richard Singletary, and grandchild ‘Zhana.
A Summation of Life Events of Herbert Singletary
Herbert John Singletary, Sr. was born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Anna Singletary in Baltimore, MD on February 8, 1930. He was the brother of 10 siblings. Like all of Samuel and Anna’s children, he was raised in Catonsville in Baltimore County, Maryland. Mom Anna insured that her kids were involved in activities within the Church of God in Baltimore.
Herbert met the love of his life, Thelma Mae Perry at a church function in 1947 in Newport News, VA. He told her he was going to marry her after she graduated high school. Lo and behold on August 27, 1950, they were joined in holy matrimony. They loved each other for more than 70 years of their lives.
From this union, six children were born. Herbert took this task seriously and maintained balance while raising his kids. He was active as President of the Parent Teacher Association while the kids were students at Woodridge Elementary School. While doing dad duties, he remained committed to his church. Herbert was also part of the Fairfield Knolls Community Association. Herbert and Thelma’s consistent support and contributions to their family, extended family, society, and the church exemplify their care and compassion toward everyone through many endeavors throughout their lives. According to the children (with a smile), there were many moments of what appeared to be unappreciated acceptance in other words strict and disciplined control during their kindergarten through 12th grade growth years; however, the Godly foundation that was imparted are now appreciated as building blocks toward their present-day spiritual growth. Overall, Herbert and Thelma have been a consistent inspiration, exhibiting a spirit that encouraged excellence with all they have encountered as leaders as well as team participants.
Early School and Work Life
Although Herbert was a gifted athlete, he had to continually balance his time between sports and part-time jobs – work was usually the priority, to satisfy his indoctrinated desire to contribute to the household. Buying coal and ice in bulk, then selling piecemeal to residential customers was physically challenging, but Herbert and his brothers dabbled in the trade for minimal income. After graduating from Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD., a multitude of full-time jobs were to follow. He held various positions on barges in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, for which the most significant was a welder for United Shipbuilder at the dry dock in Baltimore MD.
Herbert and his brother Sammy would support their sister Mary Crawford by working odd jobs at the historical Crawford Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. The Crawford Hotel provided top shelf lodging to prominent African American celebrities during a period of segregation.
Herbert used his work experience from a variety of assignments on ship barges within Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to secure employment within the Baltimore & Ohio trainyard systems in Washington, DC. He was later employed by Enterprise Savings and Loan, initially performing maintenance and chauffeur tasks. Over time, he consistently proved his loyalty in protecting the firm’s property, thus earning their trust to have him physically hand-carry major bank deposits to and from the National Bank of Washington, which was on the same block. He was recommended for a teller training pool prior to leaving Enterprise for a new career opportunity with Prudential Insurance Company.
He was recruited by Prudential Insurance Company to increase sales in the inner city; however, his ability to relate with people at all income levels led him to achieve multiple Salesman of the Year awards, thus earning him bonuses that included multiple cruises and expense-paid trips to major resorts.
Early Church Life
Herbert’s service to the Church of God in Baltimore was consistent with his brothers’ families, including Elijah and Doris, as well as Sammy and his children. After his marriage to Thelma, they moved to Washington, DC where they continued their service and fellowship with the Baltimore Church – all under the Church of God umbrella.
Herbert and Thelma’s contributions to the Church of God’s Gospel Spreading Association (founded by the late ‘Elder’ Lightfoot Solomon Michaux) did not take a back seat while they were concurrently juggling assignments with their school and residential neighborhoods. This church entity was and still is famously known nationally for the ‘Happy Am I’ tagline and its signature Cross Choir (for which Thelma sang) and Annual Baptism Pageantry (for which Herbert built many stage props). Herbert became a gospel minister and took on several leadership assignments, such as Sunday School Teacher, Street Preacher at the ‘O’ Street Market, and Counselor at Camp Lightfoot during the summer months – known throughout Camp Lightfoot as “Rock”.
Ministry Enrichment
Herbert’s ministry assignments evolved and continued to grow at Church of God’s Gospel Spreading Association in Washington DC. with consistent service as a teacher in Sunday School, and vacation bible school. Concurrently, he was sent to Hampton and Newport News to assist with starting new churches. He was subsequently deployed many times to lead revivals within the family of churches within Church of God system (inclusive of Baltimore, MD Philadelphia, PA New York, NY Richmond, Hampton, and Newport News, VA) as well as locations in Catonsville MD. Herbert maintained a strong bond with the congregation of his original ‘home church’, the Church of God in Baltimore, MD, especially their late pastor and his buddy, the late Elder Jake Butler.
Through fellowship and support with and to the Church of God at Lothian, MD, Herbert was appointed Assistant Pastor to the late Elder Raymond C Wills. His administrative experience came in handy while he was the Assistant Pastor, under the tutelage of Elder Raymond C. Wills. While at Herbert’s side, Thelma continued to her leadership role in the music ministry – At the Lothian location, Thelma concurrently directed three choirs until they both left to establish the Church of God in Forestville, MD. He served at the Church of God Lothian for 25 years before founding the Church of God in Forestville MD in 1992.
From Pastor to Senior Pastor to Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Herbert, First Lady Thelma Singletary, and several members branched out with a new ministry from their home on Walker Mill Drive in Forestville with Bible study. An enjoyable fellowship was maintained, and the hospitality was appreciated. Everyone was on one accord to seek a place to meet outside of the Singletary household.
The Lord led the new ministry to the Walker Mill School, which was not far from the Singletary home. They continued to attract new members over several months at this location. Thelma continued as the minister of music, while Herbert led the new Church through significant growth as the Pastor. A change of venue opportunity was presented by one of the members (the late Mother Jeanette Perkins) as a short-term budget solution, and the Lord guided them to her spacious home on 16th Street in Washington, DC, about 3 blocks from Walter Reed Army Hospital. After more than a year, the journey continued back to Forestville to a house on Boones Lane off Marlboro Pike. The “Forestville Nursing Home” was selected for Community Outreach, and every 4th Sunday was devoted to fellowshipping with them. The journey continued to the Kettering Community Center in Kettering, MD This facility had the accommodations that were needed for growth. It was nice. At that time, Pastor Singletary, 1st Lady Singletary, Asst. Pastor William Fuller and his wife Iris Fuller started to develop different auxiliaries for the ministry such as Sunday School, Choirs, and conducting relevant seminars. The fellowship was enriched as The Late Deacon and Sis. Brooks, The Late Deacon Lewis Estep Sr. and his wife, the late Deacon Nobel Estep and the Estep family participated in the Church of God Forestville all to the glory of the Lord. Herbert, Lewis, and Nobel shared a special bond and their fellowship was life lasting.
The last physical move was to Meadowview Drive in Forestville, MD. It was accomplished with the assistance of Minister Robert Reed and his wife Jackie. Many others assisted with the physical transformation of this old schoolhouse structure – including Elder Desi Weems and his family. The newly renovated Church of God of Forestville continued to fellowship with several ministries and churches – inclusive of Young Memorial Church and New Zion Apostolic Church (led by Bishop Herbert Best), Crusader Baptist Church of God (led by the late Pastor Rodney Davis and his wife Naomi Wills Davis). Later in the ministry, Elder Hadley, his wife, and his family joined, and through succession from Assistant Pastor, he was appointed Pastor upon Herbert's ascension to Pastor Emeritus status through limited retirement.
Grandfather and Senior Counselor During Retirement Years
In 1982, Herbert suffered a massive heart attack and did not return to work – Herbert was able to secure full retirement benefits from his lengthy tenure at Prudential. Throughout their retirement years, Herbert dabbled in artwork painting, He received a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Care at Theological Seminary in Baltimore, MD. Herbert and Thelma enjoyed traveling, inclusive of their timeshare in Ocean City, MD where he could enjoy dabbling in one of his passions – fishing. They also enjoyed many cruises - most were outside of the continental US. To enhance his painting skills, Herbert attended several art classes at Prince Georges’s Community College.
Herbert’s favorite scriptures Psalm 1 and Psalm 32:8 – Herbert’s favorite song: “I will guide thee; I asked the Lord to comfort me”
Herbert leaves to cherish his memories two siblings: Bishop Elijah Solomon Singletary and Michael Singletary Sr - six children: Herbert Singletary Jr, Don Singletary (Tarinda), Adele Wills (Central), Gwen Gatewood, Charlene Stewart, and Judith Russell (Daniel Jr) as well as Elaine Coby (special daughter) – 14 Grandchildren - Tiffany (Virgil), Tracey (Tim), Candace (William), Amber, Sherae, Geary, Ráchel (Calvin), Shawn, Sheree (Patrick), Sheana (Robert), Shaun, Daniel III, Kim, Kyle, as well as 26 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Herbert was preceded in death by his lovely wife Thelma Mae Singletary of 70 years in 2020, siblings Samuel Moses Singletary Jr, Pearl Rogers, Reva Julian, Frederick Singletary, Harold Singletary, Mary Crawford, Roosevelt Singletary, Richard Singletary, and grandchild ‘Zhana.