Erma Lucille (Monroe) Officer

My Story

 O’ a hand touched me even at the age of three, that is when the Spirit of God first outwardly moved in me. Born April 23, 1942 to Vitilla Mae Ballenger Monroe and Ben Alfred Monroe Columbia (Boone County) Missouri, I was the fourth child born to this union.  A Sister Evelyn Marie and a brother Ronald Ronnie Monroe and my parents proceeded me in death.

As the psalmist wrote in Psalms 139 God knew all about me even while I was yet in my mother's womb glory to the almighty God. 

Having been raised in a Christian home and family I was taught to love the Lord early in my life. Raised by a loving family and mother primarily who at a tender age read to me bedtime stories from the Uncle Arthur bedtime story of volumes.  These stories were biblical yet dealt with reality, life and living-telling about God's love and sharing, telling the truth and loving God. I learn to love God early and worked as a faithful member in the Sunbeam auxiliary, the GA’s (now and Red Circle Girls) and the YWA’s (Young Woman’s Auxiliary).  I was also a faithful student in Sunday School, and BTU and often earned my way to be a delegate to many District and State meetings because of my attendance, participation, faithfulness and service.

 I always enjoyed praising God in song and was a member of the children’s choir the youth choir and the adult choir.

 At an early age while singing “Use My Heart, Use My Mind, Use My Hand’s”, the Spirit of God moved upon my heart and I accepted Christ as my personal savior-October 7, 1952, under the pasturage of Rev. N. P. Wilson.  This then became the most important date in the history of my life I grew in statue, wisdom and knowledge-and my commitment to Christ became more and more real, and more and more intense.

 I have been involved in the work of the Church for more than 60 years and have enjoyed learning about the power and the word of God. Worship has always been a part of my Christian walk.

Second Baptist has always had a special place in my heart.

Growing up took me away to college, into marriage, and to relocate to St. Louis, Missouri, Topeka, Kansas, Kansa City, Kansas and Overland Park Kansas.

Serving the lord in Kansas allowed me to serve the Kaw Valley District Association, as the Music Director for 17 years, teacher in the Youth Department senior youth director In the Kansas State Convention as teacher, assistant music leader, committee woman, the National Convention USA, Incorporated as music director in adult study section. 

Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church Topeka Kansas under the leadership of Rev. William L. Templeton I served as choir director Sunday school teacher member of Nannie Burroughs Mission Circle, Women’s Mission Union, BTU study leader and special projects drama department.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Kansas City Kansas as Sunday school teacher, mentor, choir director, choir member. and at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Delmar White, Pastor I continue to serve the Lord and his people.

Spiritually speaking I was able to attend and achieve a degree from Western Bible College, Kansas City, Missouri (through the extension program at Topeka Kansas”- Shiloh Baptist Church Rev. E B Hicks (Dean) and attended Central Baptist Seminary Kansas City, Kansas.

My Service to men, woman, boys and girls is first to tell them that God is love and that He loves them-while serving as Director of the Satellite Services for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment, Topeka, Kansas.  Community Educator, Case Manager- Big Brothers Big Sisters Topeka Kansas Program Director, Owner Operator of The Village Learning Center offering full early care, before and after school care, to infants and children 12 years of age. I served as consultant for building programs for children youth and families, Founder of the First Freedom School in Topeka, Kansas and my work with the YMCA of Topeka, Kansas and The Greater Kansas City, Missouri.

 I pray God's continued blessings on my children Gia L Cahill, Harold “Butch” M Wilkerson, Thomas “Tay” Officer, (Tiffany), to my grandchildren Todd “T Wilk”, Brent, Britani, Parisa, Taryn, Taylor, Zachary and Tristan.

To my brothers; Larry Monroe, Galen Monroe (Arlene), a special cousin who was like my baby brother, David Phil, (Sandy) Ballenger; my aunt, Odelia “DeDe” Buckner, my uncle, Carl “Skip” (Mabel) Ballenger; and to all my nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding-in everything acknowledge Him and He will show you the path.

Family, thank you for loving me, unconditionally.

This is the day the Lord has made...y'all rejoice and be glad in it! Do not cry as if you have no hope, for in Jesus the son of God this is all the hope you will need.

God, bless you... I am resting-relaxing in his care forever a new day!

With Much Love!!!

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