Dr. Christine McCaskill completed her life’s work of serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the body of Christ, on March 28, 2019, just shy of her 92nd birthday. True to her word she wore out, but didn’t rust out, as she preached her last sermon in January, 2019.
Mother McCaskill, as she was affectionately known, was born May 1, 1927 to Reverend Hezekiah and Hattie Smith in Cleveland County, North Carolina. She grew up in Decatur, Georgia and Hickory, North Carolina. She married Frank James McCaskill in 1943 and remained in North Carolina until they moved to West Virginia in 1950, where they raised two sons, Benny and Robert. In 1961, Mother McCaskill received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and six days later accepted the call to preach the gospel.
In 1965, she was ordained under Dr. Quander L. Wilson, the founding Bishop of Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, Inc. (GEAFT). Shortly thereafter she relocated to Pennsylvania. She served as the GEAFT National Evangelist for 16 years, traveling throughout the United States and Central America. In the mid 1970’s Mother McCaskill moved from the Philadelphia area to Scottsdale, Georgia to care for her father. All of this time she continued to evangelize throughout the world.
In 1979, Mother McCaskill was called to Bridgeport, Ct. and founded House of Prayer and Deliverance Church, and served as Pastor until she retired in 2010; at least 7 churches started through her ministry in the Connecticut area, alone. In the early 1980’s, she moved both of her parents to Bridgeport and cared for them until their last days. Mother McCaskill served as the founding National Mother of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, Inc. and continued to mentor, encourage, teach, preach, sing, and love the people of God until her passing. Always in fashion, Mother was known for her millinery collection – she wore some of the most amazing hats, and wore them well!
Mother McCaskill never met a person in need of help that she did not embrace. She welcomed many spiritual sons and daughters into her home and heart, leading them to Christ. She loved to cook and bake, and she would pass on that gift to those who wanted to learn. Her specialties were pineapple coconut layer cake, sour cream pound cake, Parker House rolls, and the best beef roast. Because of her love for children and teenagers, she became a foster parent while in Connecticut. She was awarded the Foster Parent of the Year Award, two years consecutively, by Casey Family Services in Bridgeport, Ct.
In 2012, Mother McCaskill moved to Columbus, Ohio, and attended the Apostolic Lighthouse Temple Church, under the leadership of her son Pastor Robert McCaskill. At 85 years of age she continued to travel and preach the gospel whenever asked. Mother was a powerful woman of God, gifted in the area of laying on of hands for all manner of sickness and diseases, and known for casting out demons. Many, many souls came to know the Lord Jesus after hearing her preach, teach, and sing! She sang with a gospel group called “The Canaanites” that traveled throughout West Virginia before she was ordained to preach. She was an anointed singer and recorded a single “Did you Ever Wake up Shouting for Joy?”
Mother McCaskill loved to learn. She was never afforded the opportunity to graduate from high school, but that never stopped her. She obtained her GED when she was 60 years old, then subsequently obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Vision Christian University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Theology, a Doctorate of Philosophy & Christian Counseling, and a Doctorate in Theology from His Excellence Theological Seminary, where she was the Valedictorian of her class and eventually went back to teach. She was a near professional Scrabble player until her last days, playing on her prized Franklin Mint Collector’s Edition Scrabble board.
Mother McCaskill is predeceased by her parents, sister Rosa Smith, brother Guy Smith, ex-husband Frank James, son Johnnie, grandsons Paul McCaskill and Robert McCaskill, II, and great-grandson Kai Lamar. She is survived by sons, Benny (Sallie) McCaskill, Beacon, NY, and Pastor Robert (Pamela) McCaskill, Columbus, OH; sister-in-law Helen Lipscomb; Spiritual son, Bishop (Serita) Thomas D. Jakes, Sr.; special daughters, Shirley Huggins, Dorothea Dixon, Monique Bentley, Thashia Bentley and Tonnisha Lamar; special son Gordon (Mary) Ford; 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and “sugarlumps”, whom she loved deeply.
Visitation 5:00pm and Home Going Service 7:00pm Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies 870 St. Clair Ave. Interment 10:00am Wednesday at Green Lawn Cemetery. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH. 2500 Cleveland Ave
Mother McCaskill was a beautiful soul, who will forever be missed. To the family: Thank you for sharing your jewel with us
We can’t begin to imagine what you are feeling, but please let us share our heartfelt condolences. May the support of family and friends be a source of strength and the God of comfort a refuge in your time of need. With Caring thoughts.
I will always cherish the love and wisdom Mother McCaskill showed and provided towards me. May God bless the family with strength and comfort.
Please remember to Throw all your anxiety on on God because He cares about you.My deepest condolences to all of the family and friends.1Peter 5:7
Praising God for the time spent at the feet of mother McCaskill. May the Lord bless all of the family with love and the care that she has shown to others.
APRIL 2, 2019 2 P.M.
I PRAISE GOD FOR TIME SPENT PLAYING SCRABBLE WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL LEADERS AND MOTHER YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY HEART. TO THE McCaskill FAMILY MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCE.
It is doubly sweet, at the close of a well spent life, to turn one’s face toward the sunset and quietly sink into rest that knows no waking except in the presence of God as did Dr. Christine McCaskill. In apprerection of such a life, and for the sake of those she loved, we the Diaconate Ministry, Officers and Servants of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to her family. To her beloved daughter in-law, Sallie McCaskill, be remined that on God’s calendar, these trials and crosses are “But for a Moment.” But for a moment there are trials and crosses, weariness, troubles, and tears. But, when we have passed through the valley of shadows, Oh! What glory appears! But for a moment we patiently trust Him, and wait till the shadows are passed. But for a moment we lookup and take courage knowing faith will bring visions at last. Done on the Second day of April in the year of our Lord
2019. Humbly Submitted, Rev. Gary L. Colter, Senior Pastor
To the McCaskill family. My heart is with you and your family at this time of your loss. There is comfort in knowing God’s promises about the resurrection hope. (Acts 24:15) and (John 5:28,29) In the past God has resurrected humans and He is eager to do it again because He hates death. (Mark 5:41-43) To learn more about God’s promises go to JW.ORG. There are online Bible study lessons featured and more. Love Your Neighbor Irish J. Richardson
Love lifted me, my dear Mother McCaskill she showed me true love and acceptance .I met as a teenager. Thankful for her instruction and playing scrabble with she and mother Dixon.
I send our sympathy from Hos Excellence Theological Seminary !!!!! Mother MC Caskill was the eldest yet smartest student to ever cross our paths! As the president , I appreciate this woman for being the catalyst for the success of our Bridgeport Chapter. I was afforded the pleasure of handing Mother her degree and naming her valedictorian!
I’m so saddened that I did not find out in time in order to make it to her memorial!!!!
We will miss this spirotual giant!!!!!
I was baptized at her church in 2007 in Bridgeport, CT 3 years before she retired. May God have mercy on her soul. Rest in peace.
I am at a loss for words right now. The last sermon Mother McCakill preached was my mothers funeral. I’m deeply hurt that I found out about her passing today, April 9th, 2019. Nevertheless, Mother McCaskill was a precious, precious saint of God. I truly send my condolences to her family. I know she is resting in eternal peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank and appreciate all that Mother McCaskill (Ms. Chritstine) shared with my mother and family the short time that we knew her. Rest in peace Saint of God.
I truly send my condolences to Mrs. Christines and Family. I remember when I first met Mother McCaskill at Elim Manor on Martin Luther King day breakfast. My Mother (Ms.Ann) introduced us two to each other. I am at a loss of words, but I do know Mother McCaskill was a spirt filled woman always in the word of God. I was glad and proud to of met Mrs McCaskill, and how highly she spoke of my Mother , Ms. Ann. Rest In Peace and. Christine I love you so much and you’ll be greatly missed.
Mrs.Mccaskill will greatly b miss as my mother Ermor she b in our hearts &still fresh in our minds