Reverend Betty Jeffcoat Wannamaker, born in Swansea, SC, is the daughter of the late Rev. Jeremiah and Rhudine Jeffcoat, Sr.  She is the 7th of eight children and is the proud mother of two daughters LaTasha Roxanna and Sabrina Lorraine. 

 

She is a graduate of Hopkins High School, Hopkins, SC and is a summa cum laude graduate of 2004 Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC with a BA degree in Organizational Management and a 2010 graduate summa cum laude from Webster University with a MA Degree in Counseling. She has studied at the Trinity College of Bible and Theological Seminary, The Southern Lutheran Seminary and received her certification in Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center of Atlanta, Ga. Rev. Wannamaker is  a QPR Gatekeeper for Suicide Prevention by Mental Health America of South Carolina, a certified Event Planner (RCMA) and a Commissioned Notary Public for SC.  

 

 In July 2000, Reverend Wannamaker acknowledged a special call on her life, from God, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to all. Through the grace of God and through the working of His power, she delivered her initial sermon on Super Bowl Sunday, January 28, 2001 where several received salvation and she was licensed to preach March 6, 2001 by the Columbia District.  

 

Rev. Wannamaker is an ordained minister of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Columbia, S. C., where she serves under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Caesar Roland Richburg; and she is a full-time employee serving as the Congregational Life and Care Coordinator. 

 

She has served as School Administrator for Bethel Learning Centers, Director of the Membership Nurturing Ministry, Chair of the Radical Hospitality Ministry, Chair of The Singles and Singles Again Ministry, and Membership Orientation Ministry.

 

Rev. Wannamaker believes in going beyond the walls of the physical church and into the community spreading the Word and the love of God. She is the founder of W.E.T.O (Women Empowered to Overcome) conferences, encouraging females of all ages to live out Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they love not their lives unto death.”  

 

Rev. Wannamaker has been a member of WIM since, 2003 and was elected SED WIM Secretary in 2019. She has received many awards, including Bethel A.M.E. Women’s Missionary Society “Woman of the Year” in the field of Clergy and received a Heritage Award from the Columbia District Sons of Allen.  Rev. Wannamaker was recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for her accomplishments as an executive and a professional in the field of religion and administration.

 

She lets nothing separate her from the Love of God.  The Love that God gives her, flows from her heart to others.  She has a special place in her heart for children and women.  She is affectionately known as Ma Betty and Reverend Mother to many girls, boys, young women, and men, letting the Love of God flow to them.  Her Life’s Motto is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.”