Evangelist Lola M. Gandy-Herbert
Lola Mae Gandy-Herbert was born on January 20, 1939 in Georgiana, Alabama to the late Early and Exie Lee Gandy. Lola Mae was the 9th child of 16 Children.
Lola Mae was educated within the State of Alabama attending the Pine Level School. In lieu of completing her high school education; she made the decision to become self-employed at the age of seventeen and assisted with the family business. For a short-time she relocated to Pensacola, Florida to work and live with her sister, the late Anniebelle Mixon. Shortly, thereafter she relocated to Pittsburgh, PA and in 1966 she joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, the late Nealthal Leon Herbert.
Lola Mae accepted Jesus Christ into her life at a young age and she joined the Big Pine Level No.1 Baptist Church in Georgiana, AL. Years later as her faith grew stronger, she joined New Light Baptist Church and the Homewood Church of God, in Pittsburgh, PA within Ministry. She was the President of the Usher Board, sung in the Senior Choir and was a member of the Pastor’s Aide Committee. In 1985, she relocated back to her home state of Alabama where she continued to work in the Ministry at a higher level; Missionary and Outreach Evangelism. During her final years of Ministry she was called and elevated as an Evangelist and in her final assignment she was an active member of the Church of the Living God Pillar Ground and Truth. There, she assisted by preaching and teaching under the leadership of Pastor Annie Riley in Long Creek, AL.
During the late 60’s, Lola Mae and a few of her family members formed a gospel group entitled the Gandy Gospel Singers including: Earvie Gandy Sr., Deola Gandy-Herbert, Clifford Gandy Sr., Josephine Gandy-Fluker, Robert Gandy Sr., Virtira Gandy and Sarah Cleveland. Years later some of the children and nieces have no choice but have to joined the group including but not limited to daughters: Earlene, Belinda and Diane; nieces: Shirley Kendall and Cynthia Herbert-Taylor and for short while her only son, Neal Herbert who was given guitar and drummer lessons to back up the family group.
Lola Mae was very compassionate in caring for her family; she expressed her love, time and talents to assist with the health care of her family members. Down through the years she assisted in caring for her father, the Late Early Gandy; her sister, the late Josephine Fluker, and brother, the late Wilson Gandy Sr.
Lola Mae was A+ Class Lady; according to one of her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Evelyn Lola Mae was A+ Class Lady; according to one of her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Evelyn Herbert. She loved all of her family members dearly.
Lola Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Early and Exie Lee Gandy; brothers, Richard Gandy and Elbert Gandy; sisters, Essie Gandy and Josephine Fluker; brothers, Earvie Gandy Sr., Wilson Gandy Sr.; sister, Anniebell Mixon; brothers, Clifford L. Gandy Sr. and Clinton J. Gandy two other siblings; husband, Nealthal L. Herbert; grandsons, Craig Guest and Morris J. Guest Jr. and great-great granddaughters, Jyanna Jackson and Godson James Herbert.
Lola Mae leaves to cherish in loving memories, daughters, Earlene Herbert, Belinda Herbert, and Diane Herbert; son and daughter-in-law, Neal Leon and Leisa Herbert; 18 grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren; brother, Rochelle (Betty) Gandy; sister, Deola (Onverse – deceased) Herbert; brother, Robert Lee (Virtira) Gandy Sr.; baby sister, Brenda Diane Gandy-Owens; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Wilbert Z. Sr. – deceased) Herbert; aunt, Josephine Carter; god-son, Robert L Gandy Jr., and host of loving nieces, nephews, and friends. She also leaves loved and cherished memories to three god-daughters, Alice Gandy-Tillman, Alene McKee-Norris and Jerrie Pennington.
My time is not over, it’s only just begun
I may be leaving this old world,
but I’m going to a better one.
Be happy for me;
can’t you see I’ve overcome,
My time is not over it’s only just begun.