Roxie Sartin

Roxie Clarady Sartin was born on August 10, 1910, to Robert Emmitt Clarady and Matilda Weeks. When she was thirteen years old, she went from her home in Drew, Mississippi, to Inverness, Mississippi, to spend most of the summer with one of her brothers and his wife. His wife was in poor health and needed help with housework.

There was a little Pentecostal church in the community, pastored by Brother Johnny Magee. Pentecost was completely new to Roxie. Her family was Baptist, although they believed in shunning evil and living a good life. There was no other church nearby, so Roxie attended the Pentecostal services a few times. She did not understand the plan of salvation, but conviction gripped her heart. She earnestly prayed at the altar, felt the power of God for the first time in her life, and began to rejoice. Some who were praying with her told her that she had received the Holy Ghost and was saved. She was very happy, believed them, and went on her way rejoicing.

About that time, the pastor’s wife’s brother came to visit. They attended a large outdoor revival in Indianola. Most of the church group went, and Roxie was invited to go with them. It was at that service that she met the pastor’s brother-in-law, Felix Sartin, who would later become her husband. No doubt the preacher shared the plan of salvation, but she does not remember the message. God’s message was lost on her. Roxie fell deeply in love that night, and later learned the feeling was mutual. Six months later, Felix and Roxie were married on January 1, 1924.

After they were married, they returned to his family’s community near Sartinville, Mississippi. There was no Pentecostal church nearby. Sister Magee was the only one in her family who had experienced this. Most of the family attended Sartinville Methodist Church, so when the Sartins attended church, they went there. Roxie prayed often and read her Bible, holding firmly to her belief that she was saved. Like many others, she did not fully understand what she was reading.

After a while, Roxie and her sister-in-law were invited to attend a prayer meeting with three devoted ladies. These meetings were often held at a location where James Wallace Price had begun building a barn but had stopped after completing only the frame. His wife, Ophelia Dunaway Price, along with Duckie Thornhill Powell and Clara Thornhill, had already received this experience. With no other opportunity for fellowship, Sisters Magee and Sartin gladly walked two miles to attend.

These ladies would shout and rejoice, and it seemed to Roxie that she could see the glow of heaven on their faces. She became deeply stirred and realized they had something in their souls that she did not. Roxie prayed desperately, day and night. Seeing how she lived and prayed, her husband said, “I believe you have the Holy Ghost as much as any of them.” But Roxie was not satisfied and continued fasting and praying. After seven long weeks, she was gloriously filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Roxie expected her husband to come to God immediately, but it was more than twelve years before he surrendered.

Soon after receiving the Holy Ghost, Roxie felt called to preach. A small, ramshackle church had been built in the nearby woods where, years before, Trinity preachers had come from Morgantown. The men of the community tore down that building and rebuilt it on the site of the unfinished barn. It was there that Roxie began to obey God’s call. Later, they constructed a better building. Though still unsaved at the time, her husband worked hard on it. They named the church “Pine Grove,” although many people called it “The Barn.”

In 1938, Earl Carney received the Holy Ghost and later moved near Jayess. Many visitors from Jayess attended Pine Grove, so in 1939 Roxie began preaching on the porches of homes in that community, including those of Wesley Holmes, R. D. Wallace, and Billy Marbury. She later preached at Brother Earl Carney’s home, where Sister Eva Wallace received the Holy Ghost.

In August 1940, Brother Magee came to the Jayess community to assist. A large brush arbor was built, and a great harvest followed, resulting in the founding of Powell’s Grove Church.

Sister Roxie continued preaching at Pine Grove for about five years, and several souls were saved. She occasionally left for revivals but always returned to labor at her home church. When heavily burdened, she would fast and pray until an invitation for revival came. Though she felt responsibility toward her home, husband, and children, she remained faithful to God’s call. Eventually, God made it clear that she needed to leave the church and travel more widely in ministry.

Her first revival was held at Brother Dexter Rushing’s church at Mount Zion. During that revival, her husband came forward and received the Holy Ghost. He had a powerful experience, walking back and forth across the platform, delivering a message in tongues. The congregation rejoiced, and there was not a dry eye in the place.

At that moment, Sister Roxie knew God had called Felix Sartin to the ministry. Though he did not immediately accept the call, he began working fervently to help preach the Gospel. He urged that they purchase a small gospel tent so they could minister in places without a church. Many souls were saved. As he led services, he became so anointed that it often seemed he was preaching. Many believed he was called.

Eventually, Sister Roxie became deeply concerned, and they returned home for two weeks of fasting and prayer. During that time, Brother Felix accepted God’s call to preach.

The Sartins were elected to serve at New Chapel near Prentiss and labored there faithfully for about six years. Later, they were called to return to their home church, Pine Grove, which had been rebuilt. They served there for a similar length of time before feeling led to move on.

They next felt burdened for Eddiceton, Mississippi, where only a small building existed for services. While continuing services, a new church was constructed. For about five years, the Sartins labored diligently, though growth was slow. Feeling that a younger pastor might better serve the church, they resigned with heavy hearts, desiring to see the work flourish.

The Sartins went on to preach revivals in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, California, and many throughout Mississippi.

Condensed from a paper written August 5, 1994, at the request of Reverend James F. Nations.

Note from James F. Nations: Sister Roxie Sartin left a great legacy, and her work will not be forgotten. God called her home on April 26, 1996.