Mother Ruth Fuller Lewter
Our Pentecostal Princess
Leaves a Legacy
1929-2007

in 1929, there were so many occurrences as described at the eulogy of the legendary Mother Ruth Fuller Lewter by her son, Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min, the Pastor of Hollywood Cathedral in Amityville, Long Island.  The man she raised, effortlessly recited the political, economic andhistorical facts of 1929.  This  outstanding orator lectures and preaches (without notes)on topics many seminary professors would not touch. The most significant occurrence in the Pentecostal and Baptist world in 1929 was the day that God predestined that He would send Ruth Fuller to earth.

Born to parents of outstanding Christian example, her father Bishop Fuller founded the Fire Baptized Holiness denomination which today boast churches around the country and still has one of the finest Christian schools in the nation I South Carolina *Fuller Normal Industrial School.*  This angel was raised in pure holiness and was born to a millionaire father, a real rarity in 1929.  She was raised as a person of privilege, rode to school in a chauffeured car and was well-educated. It is not surprising that Ruth Lewter attended Spelman College and married, in 1953,a scholarly Baptist preacher that naturally could rightly divide the word, Pastor Andy C. Lewter, Sr.  The world's Pentecostal Princess bridged the gap between the Baptist and Pentecostal worlds by sharing ideas and worship styles for over 40 years.  Dr. Andy C. "Daddy" Lewter, Sr. and his elegant wife blended  the traditional Baptist and Pentecostal styles and united the denominations for praise, worship and fellowship.

The Civil Rights Movement had Rosa Parks to draw attention to the plight of bus riders of color. Black Christian had a pioneer in the travel industry to thank.  As an outside travel agent in Merrick, New York, and upon not being paid her appropriate fees, her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in which resulted in a benefit to the Black Christian world.  This awesome woman is credited as the pioneer of facilitating inter-state travel of Blacks during segregation; particularly ministers.  Rev. Washington L.
Lundy, President of the Empire State Missionary Baptist Convention, has traveled for several decades to different continents with excellent accommodations during the times of segregation and racism, as a result of Mother Lewter's opting for, requesting and receiving excellence from the travel industry for her clients.  Beyond her mind and heart, she shared so many other things with the world.  This was a woman of many gifts; she is known for sharing her love of music with her home, church and extended family; particularly the appreciation of all genres.

As I pulled up to the memorial services, I immediately sensed that a very important 'head of state' was in town or being honored.  Well, we had both at the standing room only memorial services.  It was incredible, every Baptist and Pentecostal Pastor and Minister from near and far was there.  It was the 'who's who' of the Christian world, mixed in with actors, recording artists, entrepreneurs and much more.  The COGIC denomination, and world, memorialized Bishop Patterson right before Mother Lewter's funeral, yet Pastor Timothy Wright, Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Bishop Frank White were all
at Mother Lewter's services.  It was absolutely magnificent she wore her traveling shoes (white ballerina slippers).  Influenced by their mother's musical gifts, her daughters presented a soul-stirring  medley of her favorite songs.  On Thanksgiving of 2006, (she requested all of her family to be present)  she sang to her family, "This May be My Last Time"  

The attendees cried and laughed as this beautiful gospel infusion, offered us joyous memories of the life we were celebrating.  The Eastern Baptist Association Ministers Widows and Wives were stunning in their white suits and one-of-a-kind hats, many of the ensembles were styled by Mother Lewter's Exquisitely Feminine Clothing Enterprise.  Despite all of the prominence at the service, the person that she had to share the spotlight with was her 87 year old brother, Bishop William E. Fuller, Jr. , who spoke so well that one of the Baptist Pastor's seated behind me told me to 'right that down so he could look it up' and Pastor Donnie McClurkin rose to his feet and began saying that Bishop Fuller must come to his church.

Born of a great man of God, married to a great man of God, raised a great man of God (surrounded by theologians); united the worship styles of the traditional Baptist and charismatic Pentecostal; travel industry trailblazer; music connoisseur and gifted musician; (her voice was a lovely instrument); and  a fashion revolutionary? Yes, Mother Ruth Fuller Lewter revolutionized the look and the style of the First Lady.  As a national stylist to First Ladies, she encouraged expressions of elegance, from suits to millinery to accessories.  The regal introductions she is most noted for were the introduction and use of the double-knit dress, sequined style dresses, and high-fashion leather suits.

One of the finest women of God, her life will be studied for generations.  The last of the true First
Ladies, Mother Ruth Fuller Lewter.