Mother Etta Cain

Mother Etta Louise (Stephens) Cain was born August 9, 1925, in Michigan City, Indiana, the daughter of the Late Leroy Earl Stephens and Vashti (Quinn) Stephens. She graduated from Elston High School in 1945.  She married the late Willie Avery Cain on May 18, 1947. They shared 47 years of marriage and four beautiful children.

Mother Cain accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior as a young adult. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Michigan City, Indiana for many years where she served faithfully as an usher, vacation bible schoolteacher and eventually mother of the church.

A few years after her husband’s death, Mother Cain moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 2004 to live with her oldest daughter, Terre Cross. There she became a member of Eastern Star Church where Jeffery Johnson, Sr. is the pastor.  Later, she joined the Senior Saints ministry.  She spent her summers visiting her daughters, Lori and Gina at their homes. In 2014, she later moved into assisted living until her health began to decline in August 2022, during her 97th birthday.  From there she entered long term care until the Lord called her home on October 26, 2022.

Mother Cain was a woman of love, joy, sharing and was a devoted mother who spent many hours with her children reading and encouraging music and swimming lessons. She worked as a floor supervisor at USS Chemicalfor a short period. She babysat many children besides those in her family. She loved teaching bible school in her backyard. She had a small vegetable garden and loved to feed and entertain family and friends. Her home was open to all who entered. On October 31, 2004, she was honored with a proclamation from the City of Michigan City, “Etta L. Cain Day of Appreciation.” 

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Sheldon (the late Evelyn) Cain, Gary, IN, three daughters, Terre (Cain) Cross, Indianapolis, Lori Cain, Nashville, TN, Gina (Clarence) Osborne, Saginaw MI. Along with grandchildren, Erica (Tommy) Walker, Alexandria, VA, Keta Cross, Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Nicholas (Elaytheia) Cain, Chicago, IL, Kayla Hill, Indianapolis, IN and Loren Osborne, Brooklyn, NY.  Great-grandchildren, Darren Cross, Kenadie Cross, Darius Cross, Tatiana Walker, Zoë Cain and Phoenix Cain. Her dear sister, Ellen Stephens, sisters-in love, Dorothy Cain-Lewis, Reola Cain-Riley, brothers-in love, John (Emma) Cain and Lee (Ollie) Cain; and, a host of nieces and nephews.

Preceding her death: her parents, Leroy Earl Stephens, Vashti (Quinn) Stephens, brothers Leroy Stephens, Sr., Vernon Stephens, Conway Stephens and Leon Stephens: beloved niece, Evonne (Stephens) Norvell and nephew, Gregory Mark Stephens. 

Celebration of Mother Cain’s life will be noon, Friday, November 4, 2022 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 123 Helen Street, Michigan City, Indiana 46360. Burial will follow in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Viewing 11am-noon Friday, November 4, 2022 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 123 Helen Street, Michigan City, Indiana 46360.

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