Rev. Dr. Julia Mae Lakin

Obituary: The Life of Dr. Julia M. Lakin Dr. Julia M. Lakin of 11645 Garners Ferry Road, Eastover, South Carolina; was born December 19th, 1940. She was the beloved daughter of the late Deacon John & Rosa Patterson of Eastover, SC. She departed this earthly life on Sunday, March 8th, 2015, at William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center of Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Lakin attended the public schools of Richland County. She also attended Bible Colleges and Theological Seminaries such as The Overcoming Outreach School of Religion and the International Gospel Fellowship Institute of Biblical Studies; where she received her Doctor of Ministry degree on December 6, 1997. On March 12, 1999, Dr. Lakin was ordained as Overseer. She was President and Founder of the Unity Bible College & Theological Seminary, which is accredited through the World-Wide Accrediting Commission of Christian Educational Institutes. As a child, Dr. Lakin attended Nazarene Holiness Church of Eastover, S.C. and later joined Good Shepherd Holiness Church of Hopkins, SC. She was united in holy matrimony to the late John Lakin Sr., who preceded her in death. They were blessed with five loving children; Rose Marie, John, Samuel, Shelia and David. Rose Marie, Samuel and David preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by four brothers; Willie, James, John and Paul Patterson; two sisters; Dr. Mary Jacobs and Margaret Whitener. As a member of Good Shepherd Holiness Church of Hopkins, S.C.; under the leadership of Mother Willie M. Hayes, Dr. Lakin began to excel in the things of God. It was evident that the call of the Lord was upon her life. Following the example of Jesus Christ, Mother Hayes prepared her for the work of the Ministry. After 21 years of faithfully serving Good Shepherd Holiness Church, the Word of the Lord came to her in a vision directing her to walk out on faith. She was instructed by the Holy Spirit to gather people of all races, creed, color and denomination into unity. She called this group the Unity Club and the Lord blessed. Many believed and were baptized in Jesus name. Dr. Lakin has built two churches from the ground up; her headquarters is Unity Evangelistic Church, located at 200 Newtown Road, Eastover, South Carolina. The current sanctuary (93'x45') was miraculously built in six months and the educational center (35'x150') was built in ninety days. She also established another church at 1314 College Street in Newberry, S.C. (45'x95') and it was built in forty-two days. By the leading of the Holy Spirit and a desire to see people saved; she established an Outreach Ministry in Orangeburg, S.C. and also 1515 West Bridge St., St. Matthews, South Carolina. Her commitment to God and His people was limitless. She dedicated fifty-nine (59) years to the Ministry of God; and thirty-eight (38) of those years were served in the Pastoral capacity. Those who will cherish fond and precious memories are her children, one son and one daughter, Bishop John (Co-Pastor Sallie) Lakin of Hopkins, SC and Shelia Lakin of Charlotte NC; daughter-in-law; Elder Erica Lakin; one sister; Carrie Baldwin of Eastover, SC; four brothers; Pastor Joseph Patterson of Columbia, SC; Deacon Roosevelt (Mildred) Patterson and Deacon Heyward (Sylvia) Patterson both of Eastover, SC; and Pastor Jimmy (Barbara) Patterson of Orangeburg, SC; and a sister-in-law; Frances Lowman; seven grandchildren; John Lakin III , Faith (Hamilton) Jacobs, Kevin Jackson, Ashley, David Jr. and Travis Lakin and Tiesha Smith; seven great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives that will miss her dearly. Special heartfelt thanks extended to Carrie "Ann" Carter for the many years of dedicated service and care given to Dr. Lakin. You will always be a part of our family. Services: will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road with interment to follow in Unity Memorial Gardens. Dr. Lakin will be placed in the church at 11:00 a.m.Visitation will be held Friday in the JP Holley Funeral Home Chapel from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a wake service (with a viewing) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Unity Evangelistic Church (Eastover.) Services have been entrusted to JP Holley Funeral Home.