Evangelist Hattie G. Kindred Fenner, 94, of the 1400 block of Corprew Ave, joined the Lord on June 16, 2018. She was a native of Caswell, NC, born July 8, 1924, to the late Walter and Liner Goganious. As a little girl, she resided in Wilmington, NC, moved to Florida as an adult, and then to Norfolk where she grew a loving family of nine children. She reared seven of her siblings’ children and many more. She was the matriarch of the Goganious Family. She always made sure the family loved each other. She was committed to serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She traveled all over the world spreading the gospel.
On January 3, 1956, she joined Mason Memorial COGIC in Norfolk, Virginia. She served as an evangelist traveling to the Richmond church many Sundays. As a staple in the Christian community, she served on the usher board, traveling ministries, prison ministry, and many other ministries throughout the church. She consistently brought many to serve the lord with her by bus or car. She was famous for playing her washboard and her famous saying; “Somebody say thank ya, Somebody say praise the lord, and Hey God I’m over here.” She was the founder of the Neighborhood Youth Chorus and worked closely in Mrs. Williams Nursing home by feeding and bringing church to the seniors that could not leave the nursing home to worship. As a young woman, she showed her beauty by winning the Ms. Norfolk Beauty Pageant. She received many awards for her work in the city of Norfolk and the community. One of her proudest moments was when she received the key to the City of Norfolk for her many city and neighbor block parties held at Norfolk City Park, Burraud Park, and on the corner of Lexington street and Proescher streets. She worked closely with Police Departments, Congressman Whitehurst, Colonel Ellis of the US Army, the Norfolk Mayor, and other City officials.
She worked very hard to make sure the neighborhood was safe for all. She constantly helped the homeless, fostered children through the courts, and assisted anyone needing food and clothes. She collaborated with Toys for Tots at Christmas and the city food banks to meet the needs of the underprivileged in our community. She was well known for giving away Stewart Sandwiches and Krispy Kreme donuts. Anyone was welcomed in her home for a hot meal, clothes, or a place to stay. She maintained a great relationship with congressional members, City of Norfolk Fire Department, Norfolk Police, and courts departments. She also had the honor of administering the opening prayer at a House of Representatives breakfast ceremony in Washington, DC! Her employment history consists of her position at the old Tobacco Factory on Princess Ann Rd., the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the Stop Program, and her pride and joy job as a Bus Driver for the City of Norfolk. She was known on her bus as Grandma, Momma Hattie, Aunt Hattie, Mrs. Hattie, the Bus 169 Lady, the loud lady, or the Candy Lady that always had something to give you. Her favorite songs of praise were, Holy Ghost Train Let Me Ride, If I Go Back Now I Won’t Get My Crown, Run, Run, Run, Gods Got You Covered, Everything in You Got to Come Out and many many more. Even though she enjoyed many songs, she always wanted her daughter Lina to sing Precious Lord and her son Anthony to sing the Christian Automobile songs where ever she went.
She was preceded by her late husbands, Arthur Brown, Asbury Kindred, and Earnest (TL) Fenner, three sisters, Mattie Martin, Erie Peoples, Lucille Goganious Neal, two brothers, Roy Goganious and Lorenzo Goganious; one granddaughter Shanicia Brown; one niece Geraldine Ruffin; one daughter-n-law Linda Brown; three sisters-n-laws and two brother-n-laws. Hattie leaves to cherish her loving memory, three daughters, Lina Brown (Earl) and Jackie Kindred of Norfolk VA; Nancy Sanders (Keith) of Hyattsville, MD; six sons, Anthony Brown (Denise) of Hyattsville, MD, Bishop Brown (Yvonne) of Lanham, MD, Anthony Brown (Denise) of Hyattsville, MD, Asbury Flood (Ann) of Murfreesboro, NC, Donald Brown, and Kindzell Brown (Lakeshia) of Norfolk, VA, Alford Kindred of Alexandria, VA; five step children; 29 Grand Children; 40 Great Grand Children; one Great Great Grand Child; six nieces; Ruth, Barbara, Sandra, Hattie, Terry, Jean; three nephews, Lorenzo, Roy, and Samuel; one sister-n-law Essie Kindred and other loving relatives and friends.
