Deaconess Verdia Amaker

Mrs. Verdia M. Amaker was the daughter to the late Mr. Willie Murph and late Mrs. Queenie B. Williams born June 11, 1941 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Verdia attended public school in Orangeburg County in South Carolina. She graduated from Wilkerson High School in 1959.

When Mrs. Amaker’s daughter, Cynthia, started kindergarten at Herbert A. Wood, she began volunteering at the school. As a dedicated volunteer, the principal of the school offered her a position as a second grade tutor in math and reading. Her dedication to ensure that her students excelled in math and reading often included after school and recess hours for those students who needed extra help. Mrs. Amaker continued to embark upon her tutoring career for 21 years, before retiring. Years after her retirement, her adult students would often approach her to thank her for helping them to become successful at math and reading.

Deaconess Amaker attended Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Swansea, South Carolina. She was baptized in 1962 by Reverend Hill Norris Sr. Over the years, she served as a: Church Mother, Member of the Gospel Missionary Choir, Primary-aged Sunday School Teacher, and Commodity Panty Helper.

How I Met the Love of My Life:

“William (Shot) Amaker (Ed’s cousin) was an Orangeburg resident. And ‘Shot’ brought Ed to meet me one day. I was afraid to talk to him; because he was from the big town of Dixiana. And I was just a young girl who lived on a farm in Orangeburg. But he kept coming to meet me. And one day when I saw him a long way off, I turned over the tractor in the ditch, trying to get in the house to wash up and change my clothes for our unannounced date. Not long after, we were engaged. ”Mrs. Amaker was joined in Holy Matrimony to Edward Amaker of Dixiana, S.C. on January 25, 1960. To this union two children were born.

In addition to her Parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband of 64 years, her Sister, Ms. Sharon WIlliams and Brothers, Mr. Charlie & Eugene Miller. In-laws: Cleo Amaker, Wilbert Amaker, Sr; Thomas Amaker and John Henry Amaker; Andrew Jeffers, Sr, Tina Miller, and Eyvette Williams.

Mrs. Verdia Amaker leaves to cherish her loving legacy: son, Benjamin Charles (Tracy) Amaker; daughter, Cynthia Amaker-Lewis; grandchildren, Shilin, Ashley and Jamarkus; siblings; Ms. Harriet Miller & Mr. Joseph (Brother) Williams, Jr. In-laws: Mrs. Sylverleen (John Henry) Peterson; Mrs. Christine Jeffers, Ms. Sarah L. Amaker, Mrs. Bessie (Heyward) Hall, Mrs. Linda (Gregory) General; Janie Amaker, Daisy Amaker, Carolyn Ann Amaker, Sharon Golston, Naomi Miller, and Stella Williams; Uncle, Mr. Samuel (Learline) Livingston; along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and caring friends.

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