Connie Maiden

Connie Phillips Maiden was born to the union of Solomon and Beulah Phillips in Rome, Mississippi on January 13, 1949. Connie was the sixth sibling of thirteen. Connie learned the meaning of family and hard work; an attribute she passed on to all her family. On October 10, 1964, Connie married her childhood friend and the love of her life, Jake Maiden. To this union was born two beautiful daughters, Cassandra and Jacqueline. Jake and Connie’s marriage epitomized the scripture Mark 10:9; 56 years of marriage and a non-ending love affair. Jake and Connie moved their family from Mississippi to Illinois in1969. Connie worked for Cleveland Steel Containers for over 45 years and was honored to retire in 2018. Connie demonstrated to her employers what consistency and hard work really meant. The company administration was honored to call Connie a prize employee. Connie rejoiced over the fact that she had been called by God to give her life to Him. Connie was baptized in Jesus’ Name under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Ella Mae Davis and remained a faithful member of the House of Prayer Apostolic Faith Church, Kankakee, Illinois until her death which covered over 40 years. Under the leadership of Pastor Claudius Anderson, Connie became the Usher Board President; a position she held until God ushered her home. You could expect to see Connie leave her Usher post to holler and then run down the aisle to tell God thank you. Connie was known far and near for the delicious sweet potato pies. She even had the opportunity of making pies for one of Jake’s favorite Gospel artists, Rance Allen. He ordered pies from Ohio. One year, Connie made over 100 pies for a church in St. Louis, Missouri. Oh what a gift of cooking God gave Connie. The Great Usher, Jesus Christ Himself, called Connie to be promoted to the Usher Board in Heaven on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 4:45 p.m. As she complied with His request, she left holding the hand of her sister, Wiltherre Roper. Oh, how sweet it is when one of God’s daughters rests her head over in her Father’s chest and slips away. Connie leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband, Deacon Jake Maiden of Kankakee, IL; two daughters, Cassandra Maiden and Jacqueline Jefferson (Fred), both of Kankakee, IL; one Godson, Andrew Robicheaux (Kennyethia) of Champaign, IL; six brothers and sisters, Searcy Phillips of Memphis, Tennessee, Elizabeth Dennis of St. Paul, Minnesota, Emma Gaston and Delores Brown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Wiltherre Roper (James) of Guthrie, Oklahoma and Leon Phillips of Edmond, Oklahoma; two brothers-in-law, Emmerson Maiden and Rueben Maiden (Tina), both of Dublin, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Julia Anderson (Eugene) of Bobo, Mississippi; seven grandchildren, Shanon Hawkins (Lawrence) of Indianapolis, IN, Pete Battle Jr. of Chicago, IL, Fredrick Lyons Jr. of Oceanside, California, Don Jefferson of Tacoma, Washington, Fredrick Jr., Cedrick and Edrick Jefferson, all of Kankakee, IL; four great-grandchildren, Pharah Battle, Madison Lyons, Lawrence Hawkins Jr. and Logan Jake Hawkins, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sister.

Tributes

Connie Maiden

January 13, 1949 - May 24, 2021