Della Mae Hope

Della M. Olive was born July 20, 1936 to the union of Rev. Ambrose Olive and Clamentia Deere in Camden, Mississippi. She was the seventh child of 10 children. She accepted Christ at an early age and was united with Hebron C.M.E. Church in Camden, Mississippi. Later, Della graduated from Cameron High School in Canton, Mississippi. Della moved to Chicago Heights, Illinois and united with St. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J.A. Causey. She met her husband Moses Hope at St. Bethel and they later married on December 7, 1960. Della actively served with the St. Bethel Missionary Society and traveled to many cities in the United States, learning, spreading the gospel, and representing St. Bethel’s strong spiritual foundation. She was a dedicated and faithful member, serving as her health was deteriorating. Della attended Prairie State College taking courses to pursue a career in nursing. Della had endless energy, up every morning by 5:00 a.m preparing breakfast. Della was fashionable and stylish; she enjoyed singing (about 12 hours a day), reading the Bible, attending church, cooking, shopping, talking on that 1970's corded house telephone (the other 12 hours), and spending time with friends and family. On several occasions, Della warmly opened her home providing temporary shelter to those in need. Della was determined and succeeded that all of her children would have a solid spiritual foundation, get an education, and be a blessing to society and our community. Della always said that “God gave us two hands; one to receive with and the other to give with.” Needless to say, she used that hand to give with much more. Della was a Christian, great wife; mother, sister, relative, neighbor, friend, and overall, she loved everyone. On the bright sunny morning of Monday, September 14, 2015, Della Mae Hope went home to join our Lord and savior in eternal life. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters: Ruby Vanarsdale, Kate McMurtry, Christine Latiker and Helen Williams; and two brothers: John Olive and Herbert Olive. Della leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband: Moses; a loving daughter: Gail D. Hope; five sons: Warren Z. Hope (Ester), Clinton Hope (Lenora), Clennon Hope (Karen), Durell Hope (Sandra) and Dexter Hope (Tanya); grandchildren: Durell Kaylann, Aaron, Brandon, Sylvia, Nicholas, Tianna, Desmond, Sommer, Arria, Kennadi, Jaylen and Jayla; four sisters: Flora Kennedy (Roosevelt), Jeanette Reed (Joe), Doretha Keaton and Anna Winfield; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Della Mae Hope

July 20, 1936 - September 14, 2015