Reverend Martha Wingate

Reverend Martha Jean (Bryant) Wingate age 86 passed peacefully on August 13, 2019 at Heritage Trails in Cleburne Texas where she had been a resident and volunteer Chaplin for four years.

Martha Wingate was born on October 7, 1932 in Terry Mississippi to parents Tola Sr. and Mamie Bryant. Martha was 1 of 8 Bryant siblings- lovingly referred to as “The Great 8” by the Bryant Descendants. Martha married James H. Wingate on May 18, 1950. They were married until his death on July 24, 1998. Martha remained a widow, focusing her energies on faith, family and ministry.

Reverend Wingate began ministry as a lay Pastor and Bible teacher at First Church of the Nazarene in Wilmington, NC. The family moved to Cleburne Texas in 1975- where she continued ministry involvement at The Nazarene Church in Cleburne for many years. Deeper studies and spiritual urging led her to Eastern Heights Charismatic Church in the early 80’s. During her membership years at EHC, she volunteered in many ministry functions and in her later years was on staff as Pastor of Restoration and Deliverance Service’s. Martha was a voracious reader who studied the Bible and related books with an amazing ability to rapidly learn as well as teach others. She was Founder and Director of Restoration of the Heart Counseling Ministries. She also authored a Restoration and Deliverance Training Manual as well as several study guides. She was initially ordained by Love Outreach Fellowship in Summit, Mississippi then later at Eastern Heights Church of Cleburne, Texas. In addition to Bible School; she attended a multitude of seminars and training conferences on spiritual issues. She was particularly learned in the areas related to Christian Counseling as well as Restoration and Deliverance. In addition to local ministry, Martha has preached and ministered in multiple states in the US as well as Canada and Mexico. Rev Wingate and her ministry team leave behind a large legacy of people who are now living a life of freedom and empowerment through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Martha is survived by the only remaining Bryant sibling, her sister Billie Sue Lambert of Cleburne Texas.
She is survived by all four children and their spouses: Son James A. & Cindy Wingate
Daughters: Dorothy & Tom Alexander; Mamie Thornton -Bayes & Jeff Bayes; Harolyn & Mark Dana.

Grandchildren: Christopher Bassett; Mitchell Wingate; Christina Weber; Kevin Thornton; Robert Thornton; Matthew Wingate. 10 great-grandchildren. A multitude of nephews, nieces, friends, and spiritual children.
She was preceded in death by both parents Tola and Mamie Bryant. Husband James H Wingate.
Grandchildren: Michael “Dee Dee” Wingate; Sr.Airman USAF Richard Thornton,Jr.
Siblings: Tola Bryant Jr., Carlos Bryant , Kenneth Bryant, Frances Bullock, Barbara Coker, George Bryant.

Visitation will be at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home at 6:00-8:00 Thursday, August 15, 2016.
Services will be at The Heights Church 1315 Grandview Hwy, Cleburne Texas at 2:00 P.M Friday, August 16, 2019 Pastor Stephen McCoy will be officiating. Internment will follow at Rio Vista Cemetery.