People started arriving as early as 9 a.m. for a service that was not scheduled to start until 2 p.m.  Everybody wanted to make sure they had a chance to bid their own personal farewells to Episcopal Supervisor Edith White Ming, who was called to glory a week ago, while asleep in her own bed, in her own home in Atlanta Georgia.

Wednesday's gathering, called a Service of Praise and Thanksgiving In Celebration of the Life of Mrs. Edith White Ming,  was held at St. Matthews, at 57th Street and Summer Street in Philadelphia, the city that hosts the headquarters of the First Episcopal District, where   Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming, serves as the Presiding Prelate.  Services were held Monday at Big Bethel in Atlanta Georgia, where the Mings lived and previously served in Episcopal office for the Sixth Episcopal District.

There was an air of sorrow with an undercurrent of joy pervading the church.  Sorrow that a true foundation block in the African Methodist Episcopal Church had been called home, but the joy of the certain knowledge that Edith White Ming had indeed gone on to a better place.

The procession line to view Mrs. Ming as she lay in state in the massive St. Matthew's was long and steady and wound from its rear entrance all the way to  Mrs. Ming's coffin that dominated the center of the front aisle.

Dressed in a light blue chiffon dress, Mrs. Ming  looked like she was at peace.  A miniature white grand piano, placed just above her head reminded all as they passed of her love of music.  A embroidered handkerchief, bearing her husband's name reminded all of the love she had left behind in her husband, Bishop Ming.

A floral arrangement in white and blue spelled out AME, the church that so loved Mrs. Ming and that she so loved.

It was a muted murmur as friends, family and African Methodist Episcopal Church stalwarts from near and far gathered to pay their last respects to this vibrant  First Lady of the Church.

St. Matthew's looked big until the crowd persistently began to fill it to over-flowing in anticipation of the start of the services for Mrs. Ming. 

The service was officiated by Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, who is in his final days of pastoring St. Matthew's before leaving for his new post as the Presiding Prelate of the 14th Episcopal District in Africa.  The long procession of family members, preceded by a cadre of Bishops and General Officers of the A.M.E. Church, began a few minutes before the start time of the service.

Amongst the honoraries were A.M.E.  Bishops Vernon R. Byrd, Philip R. Cousin, T. Larry Kirkland, William P. Deveaux, Vinton Anderson and Decatur Ward Nichols,  and the World Methodist Council  was represented by  Bishop Neil Irons.  The General Officers were represented by Christian Recorder Editor Ricky Spain and Treasurer Dr. Richard A. Lewis.

The Bishops and officers were followed by the Ming family with Bishop Ming being the last to take the long walk up the aisle towards Mrs. Ming's casket.  As he made his way on this somber journey, Bishop Ming would pause on occasion to acknowledge a friendly, familiar face to either his right or his left.  He was gracious even in the face of sorrow.

A organ prelude reverberated throughout the sanctuary as everyone made their way to their seats. The melodious strains of the pipe organ soared to the wood-beamed polished rafters. The aisles now were populated with folding chairs to accommodate  the massive crowd that even this large church could not seat.

The processional was "Glorious Things of Thee  Are Spoken" which was followed by the Hymn of Praise a robust reading of "To God Be the Glory."

Bishop Vernon R. Byrd lead the gathering to the throne of grace with his powerful invocation.

Bishop Philip R. Cousin read the Old Testament reading which was Proverbs 31:10-31; Rev. Dr. Ricky Spain read 1 Corinthians 15: 35-50 for the Epistle and Bishop T. Larry Kirkland closed the Scripture readings with his presentation of the Gospel, drawn from John 15:1-11.

There were two sections of tributes raised for Mrs. Ming.  In the first group, Mrs. Barbara Lowe brought the tribute from the Connectional Women's Missionary Society, Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs.  Mary Ann Norris represented the Connectional Ministers' Spouses and Widows Alliance; Mrs. Forestyne Ogden stood for the First Disgtrict Ministers' Spouses and Widows Alliance and Mrs. Jane Harris brought the tribute from the First District Lay Organization.

The tributes were divided by a strong choir rendition of "Plenty Good Room."  The choir, directed by Carolyn Fletcher was drawn from across the connection and was a fitting tribute in and of itself for a Mrs. Ming whose love for music was renown.

Presiding Elder George T. Sims, Jr. lead the sound round of tributes, representing the Presiding Elders;  Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leath came next on behalf of the Pastors and Minister of the A.M.E. Church  and struck fire in the church despite observing a limited speaking time; Bishop Neil Irons, was next up representing the World Methodist Council; Dr. Richard A. Lewis came representing the General Officers of the AME Church; Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Dorothy Young paid tribute from the Bishops Wives and Bishop William P. DeVeaux closed the second round of tributes representing the Council of Bishops of the AME Church.

After another selection by the choir, "Come, Come Ye Saints," which really stirred all in attendance, Mr. Jamie C. Hardeway, Mrs. Ming's Great-Nephew from Patterson, New Jersey came representing the family.

Before him had come tales of her musical prowess, of her caring, and love and devotion for people and of praise for her service as an Episcopal supervisor and friend to all whom she encounter.

Hardeway really brought it home, painting his heart-drawn picture of Mrs. Ming as just his plain old Aunt Bunny, who was there for him in good time and bad times and who seemed to be able to see right through him.  He said she would put him back on course in a gentle loving way.  Warmth exuded from his recollections and there were more than a few moist eyes in the sanctuary before he had completed his recollections.

Dr. Clement Fugh did the acknowledgement for the family.  This was followed by an organ medley of Mrs. Ming's favorite hymns which included, "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee," "O Thou in Whose Presence," "and How Great Thou Art."

The Eulogy was delivered by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church.

Bishop Anderson told the gathering that he and Bishop Ming were roommates back in college and that there bond and friendship had stretched throughout their careers.

"He called me and told me Edith had passed away and that he wanted me with him at the service in Philadelphia but that I would have to stand in the pulpit, so here I am," Bishop Anderson began.

"A eulogist really says what everyone else has said but...in a different way."

Bishop Anderson remembered the notes of encouragement that Mrs. Ming used to send to others.  He said they were signed with a treble clef and her trademark phrase, "Press On."  That phrase was at the center of most of the day's tributes, and Bishop Anderson's eulogy was no exception as he sought out the Biblical roots of Mrs. Ming's "press on."

He said He believed she drew it from Philippians 3:12-14 

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,