Reverend Edward Ingram

His educational pursuits include graduating from Massey Lake High School in 1950, where he played on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. He then continued his schooling at Wiley College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served 2 years, which included a tour of duty in the Korean War conflict. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, he became gainfully employed and began readjusting to civilian life.

Edward married his high school sweetheart, the former Joy B. Douglas, daughter of Simmie and Willie Douglas of Tennessee Colony, Texas on January 8, 1955. They made their home in the Lake Como community of Fort Worth, Texas. Upon moving to Fort Worth, Edward and his bride joined the Greater Strangers Rest Baptist Church; the late Reverend R. W. West was pastor. He was a member of the Male Chorus as well as becoming especially active in the Baptist Training Union. He later was ordained as a deacon; then he felt the calling to become a minister, preaching his first sermon during the ‘Training Union Hour’ at Greater Strangers Rest, April 12, 1964. Later, with his pastor’s consent and well wishes, Reverend Ingram and his family moved their membership to Pleasant Mount Gilead Baptist Church, Fort Worth, to help assist the newly appointed pastor, Reverend R. L. Sanders, who had also been a member of Greater Strangers’ Rest, and a good friend of Reverend Ingram.

Reverend Ingram and his wife Joy were a loving and devoted couple for more than 47 years. They traveled many places together. His wife always supported him in his ministry until her health began to fail. They were blessed to have 4 daughters, Carolyn, Cynthia, Angela, and Syrena. He later married the former Carolyn Howard in 2008 who has proven to be a true ‘helpmeet’ to him.

Reverend Ingram was called to pastor the Old Bethel Baptist Church, Tennessee Colony, Texas, where he served for 6 years (1965-1971); then he was called to pastor First Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Cleburne, Texas; there he served more than 41 years (1971-2012).

He retired from General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin Corporation after 37 years of loyal employment, which resulted in him being promoted to one of the highest managerial positions awarded to an African-American in his particular field.

He previously served as president of both the Como Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the East Cleburne Ministerial Alliance; both offices he held for 10 years. Reverend Ingram was Moderator-Emeritus of the Galilee-Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist Churches after nearly twelve years of service. He was also involved in civic concerns, such as the Lake Como Area Council, where he served as chairman; and was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The achievements and awards he received were numerous, including being chosen Pastor of the Year by radio station “Heaven ‘97”, KHVN.

Reverend Ingram was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Sarah Ingram, Carlener Shaw Ingram; brothers, Johnny C. Ingram, Jimmie H. Ingram, James O. Ingram, Cetharl Ingram, Charles V. Ingram; sisters, Mary A. Ingram, Nell Olivia Ingram; wife, Joy Ingram; daughters, Syrena Ingram, Carolyn Ingram Walker, Angela Ingram Christian; grandson, Phillip Walker. Reverend Ingram is survived by his wife of more than twelve years, Carolyn Howard Ingram; daughter, Cynthia Ingram Walker Ejiogu (Paulinus); step-son, Rickey Fantroy, Jr.; brothers, William Ingram (Shirley), Cleophas Ingram, Sr. (Hazel), Wayne, Ingram, Sr. (Nell); sisters, Alene Ingram Baker, Annie Ingram Nelson (Henry); grandsons, Edward Walker, Jr. (Montrece), Terrence Walker (Destiny), Jeffrey Walker; eight great-grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends.

Live Streaming: First Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church- Click on the Church Picture. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM