Reverend Agnes Virginia Goodlett- Labell

Agnes Virginia Goodlett-LaBell was born on August 21, 1942 in the small town of Montross, Virginia (Westmoreland County).  She is the fifth of sixteen children from the union of the late William Louis Hackett and Augusta Marie Hackett.  She was proceeded in death by three brothers - James Louis Hackett, Samuel Edward Hackett and William Solomon Hackett; One sister-Ethel Marie Carter. 

She was educated in Westmoreland County Public Schools and graduated from A.T. Johnson High School in 1960, which was the only high school in Westmoreland that a person of color could attend.  Agnes accepted Christ at an early age and became member of Salem Baptist Church in Mount Holly, Virginia. 

After leaving Virginia, Agnes Relocated to Long Island New York She later moved to Amber, PA where she joined Zion Baptist Church of Ambler. She then moved to Philadelphia where she met and married the late Perry Eugene Goodlett.  They were blessed with four children Melissa, Cassandra, Anthony (proceeded her in death) and Nathaniel.

Agnes enjoyed working in the medical field for over 50 years. During this time, she worked as an Operating Room Administrator at JF Kennedy, St Agnes and Rolling Hill Hospitals. She most recently worked at The Muscle Bone & Joint Center as the Schedule Coordinator until she retired. 

In 1980 she joined Bethlehem Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Charles W Quann.  It was at this time Agnes decided to continue her education.  She graduated from Manna Bible Institute in Philadelphia and continued taking courses at Philadelphia College of the Bible; she also studied at The Center for Urban Theological Studies and The Center for Christian Counseling at Westminster College.

In 1995 Agnes accepted the call to preach and was licensed by the Bethlehem Baptist Church.  In that same year she married the late Reverend James E LaBell.  He served as pastor of Faith Hope and Charity Missionary Baptist Church, Philadelphia PA.  In 1997 Agnes was ordained at Philadelphia Council of Clergy.  Reverend Agnes co-pastored with her husband until his passing.

Agnes returned to Bethlehem Baptist Church where she served as one of the associate ministers.  In 2013 she was recognized by the church for missionary work and contribution.  Rev Agnes Goodlett-LaBell most recently provided leadership to the Prison Ministry, the Nursing home ministry, Sunday school, morning devotion and visitation of the sick and shut-in members of the church.

Agnes was known to many as stern yet fair, firm yet kind hearted, strong, supportive, stood for what was right and remarkably reliable.  She served others as an expression of love. She was dedicated to taking care of others including family and friends, both young and old.  She helped to distribute food to homeless shelters and individuals across Philadelphia and its nearby suburbs. She loved the Lord and His people. Agnes did whatever she believed God wanted her to do. Her tenet was simple: FAITH- If God gives you a task to carry out, surely, He will prepare the way for you to do it.

She leaves to cherish her memory her 3 children, Melissa (Ricky) Kittles, Cassandra (Kevin) Small and Nathaniel (Arlana) Goodlett; 12 adored grandchildren Phillip (Chaniece), Joshua, Tyler, Jordan, Avory, Jaden, Kendell, Isaiah, Airiana, Shamarh, Amarh and Ashton. 2 great grandchildren Vincent and Olivia; sibling: Annie Carrie, Rosemary Thompson, Carl Hackett, Joan Redman, Clara Ann (Leon) Johnson, Debra (Rudy) Simmons, Marsha Brooks, Tony (Charlene) Hackett, Mitchell (Patricia) Hackett, Aaron (Frankie) Hackett and Walter (Terrolyn) Hackett.  Multitude of nieces, nephew cousins and friends.

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