Alberta Pillow

Minta Alberta Pillow was born September 18, 1919 in Lewisburg Tennessee to the Reverend Ozro Franklin Bishop and Menetho Melinda Copeland Bishop. Alberta, the fifth of seven children, was the youngest daughter. Growing up in a household that loved the Lord, she gave her life to Christ at an early age. As a teenager, she moved to Huntsville, Alabama where her father accepted a pastoral position.
She always had a passion for cooking and baking. As a teenager, she cooked in a boarding house and baked mini pies for a restaurant. Alberta eventually married the love of her life, James O. Pillow on July 4, 1945. She worked at Strietmann Biscuit Company until the birth of her first child. Four children were born to this union Michael, Beverly & her twin, and Linda. Alberta loved being in the kitchen, feeding her “little lambs,” serving others and tending to her flowers. She cared for a host of children, providing daycare services for them and eventually many of their children. She was true mom to so many.
Shortly after relocating to Cincinnati Ohio, she joined Greater Liberty Baptist Church on Sunday, February 3, 1946, and was baptized the following month by Reverend F.B. Lauderdale. During her 75 years of membership, she served as Treasurer of the William Cox Club, a member of the Senior Usher Board and partnered with her husband as advisor of the Youth Usher Board. She also assisted in the VBS Nursery, taught Sunday School and provided countless baked delicacies throughout the years. At 101, Alberta Pillow was the oldest living member of Greater Liberty Baptist Church and loved her church family dearly. She was certainly a prayer warrior and could be found reciting prayers for those she loved.
Recognized for her 100 years of service to her family, church and community, the Mayor of the City of Cincinnati proudly proclaimed September 18, 2019 “M. Alberta Pillow Day.”
Alberta is reunited with her parents, siblings, husband James and daughter Linda in glory. She is survived by her children Michael (Diana), Beverly; grandchildren Jay (Monette), André, Danica (Vinicius), Adoria (Bryan), James; great grandchildren Addison, Ava, Boston, Bryan, Naya and Oaklee and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Her legacy of love lives on in each of “mama’s little lambs.”