Etta Frances Houston

Mrs. Etta Frances DuBose Houston, the beloved daughter of the Late Curlee Abram DuBose and Fannie Mae Turner DuBose, fourth of nine siblings was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on March 31,1937. She is well  known by Etta but would later take on the name of her beloved Aunt Susie DuBose Lowery and sometimes would introduce herself as “ Susie” Etta Frances DuBose Houston. “Susie” Etta, age 83  transitioned home peacefully  to “Glory” early Tuesday morning, November 24, 2020 in Bridgeway Hospice of the Emory Midtown Hospital, Atlanta, GA. “But His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5a  Ampc.

She married her longtime friend and love,  the Late  Reverend Calvin Eugene Houston, Davidson, NC, July 15, 1959.  To this union, they shared their Godfearing  love, care, and nurture to  four  children  the Late Calvin Bernard Houston,  Terrance Eugene Houston , Merry Kaletta Mahone, Clara Mae Whyte, niece, daughter of the Late Thomas and Mary Lee DuBose White. Rev. Houston preceded her in death in 1989.

At an early age, Mrs. Houston  joined the Davidson Presbyterian Church and grew in favor of the Lord. She and a favorite  cousin, the Late Ms. Laura Pettegrue, teenagers, and the late Mrs. WC Copeland  were founders of the Afternoon Mission Sunday School  for African American children, youth, and teens , held in the home of the Copelands in Davidson, NC. This unique and innovative service offered Bible study, songs, drama, prayer, giving , service, special treats, and love abundantly, with the main thrust “ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NIV.  The children learned to give financially with a mission in mind. The funds collected were presented toward the building of the Davidson Cornelius Day Care Center which still serve children today.  

Mrs. Houston graduated  from the Historic Torrence Lytle High School, Huntersville, NC in 1955.  She had a very extensive education and career after High School.  She graduated from  Barbara Scotia College in 1960. Mrs. Houston  attended Alabama A&M (Advanced Studies), Huntsville, AL 1961, Emory University, Atlanta GA 1966-1967, Georgia State University, Atlanta GA 1974-1975.   In 1980, Mrs. Houston graduated from The Interdenominational Theological Center obtaining her Master of Divinity.  In 1981 and 1982 she took great pride in continuing her education and completing two more courses at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Greek Studies and Hebrew Studies. To enhance her education and develop her understanding of various cultures, she traveled extensively through the United States, Caribbean, and the Bahama Islands including Jamaica, Nassau 1977, and Haiti 1978. 

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Mrs. Houston is preceded in death by her loving husband Rev. Calvin Eugene Houston, son Calvin Bernard Houston, Father Curlee Abram DuBose, Mother Fannie Mae Turner DuBose, two sisters, Mary Lee DuBose White, Sadie Louise DuBose Thomas, three brothers, Ephraim DuBose, Freddie DuBose, and Johnny Ray DuBose.

Mrs. Houston is survived by her daughter Merry Kaletta Mahone ( Troy Duane Mahone),  Columbus GA.,  a son Terrance Eugene Houston, of Sacramento California,  a niece Clara Mae Whyte Of Atlanta GA.,  seven grandchildren Jasmine Houston, Alyssia Mahone, Maya  Mahone Jashia Whyte, Jatoya Whyte, Sophia Houston and six great grandchildren Caleb Davis,  Jamal Davis,  Je’Mier Houston, Je’Mario Houston, Justin Whyte Elijah Zinyemba,  two brothers, Bobby DuBose (Willie Mae DuBose), Rochester New York,  Charles DuBose (Janette DuBose) , Charlotte, NC,  a sister Reverend  Dora Elizabeth DuBose,  Davidson, NC, Aunt Inez Turner Williams, age 100 and 9 months, Princeton, New Jersey,  a  host of nieces, nephews, cousins,   other relatives and friends.       

In Memory of Mrs. Etta D. Houston, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Rice Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pastor David B. Bowie, 1515 Brewer Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30310