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| Soldier of Christ – Well Done!’ |
Major Ida Maxine Ensley (R) was promoted to Glory recently from the Brandel Manor Nursing Home in Turlock, Calif.
Maxine was born in 1919 in Austin, Colo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Azusa Pacific College and was active in church work in Hawaii and Oakland, Calif. Finding her service to God restricted in her denomination, Major Ensley felt her call to Salvation Army officership and entered the Training College.
Commissioned a probationary lieutenant in 1960 in the Great Hearts Session, she was assigned as assistant officer in Redwood City, Calif. After giving faithful and devoted service in several corps and headquarters assignments, she became Training Officer/Assistant Finance Officer at the School for Officers’ Training, a position from which she retired in 1981.
The funeral service was held in Turlock, Calif., with Major Jerry Gaines officiating. Major Ensley is survived by her sister, Lorraine White; three brothers, Ray, Herbert, and Robert Ensley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Messages of sympathy may be sent to Ray Ensley, P.O. Box 150, Ballico CA 95303.
Brigadier Virginia Murphy, a faithful soldier of Christ, was promoted to Glory recently from the Crescent Court Nursing Home in Lodi, Calif.
Virginia was born in 1912 in Chicago, Ill. She entered the Central Territory Training College out of the Chicago #4 Corps and was commissioned in 1932. She immediately began her dedicated life of service ministering to others through The Salvation Army Homes and Hospitals. In 1960 she was transferred to the Western Territory and served 16 years at the Los Angeles Booth Memorial Home. Following retirement in 1976, she lived at the L.A. Silvercrest until a few years ago, when ill health made it necessary to move closer to her family.
Her friends and family remember her as a strong, but unassuming woman. She quietly worked behind the scenes, willingly carrying out whatever tasks needed to be done. The funeral service was held at the Center of Hope (Lodi Corps) with Captain Alfred Parker officiating.
Brigadier Murphy is survived by her sister, Marion Ellison, and many nieces and nephews. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the Brigadier’s niece, Juanita MacNaught, 6185 Mobley Road, Stockton CA 95215.
Brigadier Lucy Wittrock, a Central Territory officer, was recently promoted to Glory from a nursing home in Pacific Grove, Calif.
Lucy Geppert was born in 1904, and in 1911 moved with her family to North Dakota. In 1925 she became a Salvation Army officer.
In 1937 she married Rudi Wittrock and shared his work in four corps, continuing to minister long after retirement. They were blessed with four children: Major Gerde Ramos, San Francisco; David, Pacific Grove, Calif.; April Block of Greenwood, Calif., and Rudy, deceased. During World War II she was “Sister Ann” in a column that ran for two years in the International War Cry, aimed at the American soldiers in England.
In 1983 she was chosen Knox County Senior Queen. She taught Sunday school and enjoyed social contacts with prayer groups, missionary circle, Home League, and Retired Senior Volunteers.
Burial services will be held in Vincennes, Ind., with Major Tom Sillanpa (R) officiating. Condolences and/or “memories” for the family memory book may be sent or faxed to Major Ramos, 1156 Valencia, San Francisco CA 94110 or FAX (415) 648-0261.