DR. GUSTA BOOKER, JR.
1943-2021
Dr. Gusta Booker Jr. is the youngest of nine children born to the late Reverend Gusta Booker Sr. and the late Mrs. Gussie Booker on August 11, 1943 in Columbus, Texas. In 1964, he was united in holy matrimony to the late Theola Massie. To this union three children were born Ronald, Gusta III, and Alita Corine.
His education began in Columbus, Texas where he graduated from Columbus High School in 1961. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Southern University. He did graduate work toward a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and received a master’s degree in theology from Inter-Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Pastor Booker accepted his call to ministry in 1967. He later founded Greater St. Matthew “Southeast” located at 7701 Jutland Street in 1968. In 1994, he founded Greater St. Matthew “Southwest” located at 14919 South Main Street.
He was united holy matrimony to Elizabeth Davis on June 25, 2016 and accepted her daughters Patrice Simmons and Tamika Davis as his own.
Dr. Booker was Founder and first moderator of Gulf Coast Baptist Association, former president of Central State Convention of Texas and former chairman of the Christian Education Board of the National Baptist Convention. He was elected into the Texas Black religious Hall of fame and selected in 2015 by the Texas Southern University Student Council to be inducted into the TSU Alumni Hall of Fame. He spoke at many prestigious events.
Dr. Booker retired from Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in 2018 and became Pastor Emeritus of the same. He was a firm believer that by faith all things are possible.
On Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Dr. Gusta Booker transitioned from temporal to eternity with the Lord. He is proceeded in death by father, Reverend Gusta Booker Sr., mother, Mrs. Gussie Booker, brother, John Booker, sisters, Annie Lou Williams, Mary Elizabeth Wright, Martha Booker Johnson, Maud S Booker, Bonnie Marie White and adopted brother raised with them Rev. Carl Evans.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife Elizabeth Booker, sons: Pastor Ronald Booker Sr. (Valree), Reverend Gusta Booker III (Nicole), daughter: Alita Booker Reed (Kelly), stepdaughters: Patrice Simmons (Jerome), Tamika Davis. Grandchildren: Ronald Jr, (Kita), Joshua, Peyton, Tess, Blake, August Thea, Hayden, Cameron, Tiana. Great-Grandchildren: Xavier, Mahloni, Ronald III, and Kane. Two devoted sisters: Berna Dean Jones (Dallas, Texas), India Mozelle Sneed (Austin, Texas), and a devoted god son Rev. Jerome Gillespie who was raised in the Booker household. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, god children, friends, and the Greater St. Matthew Church Family.
Dr. Booker will lie in state on (Friday), February 12, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church (Southeast Campus) 7701 Jutland Rd., Houston, Texas, 77033.
He will lie in state on (Saturday), February 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m.- 10:55 a.m. at the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church (Southwest Campus) 14919 So. Main St. (Houston, Texas) 77035.
Homegoing Celebration will begin at 11:00 a.m.,
Dr. Booker will be laid to rest in the Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery.