Minister JoAngelia Waters

Jo Angelia Waters (60) was born in Salzburg, Austria, birthed in the hearts of and adopted by a young military couple, Joseph Curtis and Thelma Raye Waters.  Raised in a Christian home, Jo was exposed to church activities such as Sunday School, Bible Training Union, VBS, youth conferences, choir , and speaking engagements were part of her spiritual development.  Her early spiritual development was under the pastorates of  the Late Pastor Eddie Cunningham ( Wheatley Heights Baptist Church), and The Late Dr. P. S. Wilkinson. (New Light Baptist Church)

After graduating from St. Gerard High School (1976), Jo received a B.S. degree in Education from Southwest Texas State and began teaching in 1980.  In 1996, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Sociology (Psychology)from Texas State University.  Jo was an instructor of Sociology at St. Philip’s Community College in San Antonio, Texas January 1997 to January 2012.  Since retirement she continues teaching as an adjunct.  A lifelong learner, Jo is a senior seminarian matriculating at The Interdenominational Theological Center at Morehouse College  (ITC) with the concentration of Pastoral Care and Sociology of Religion.

Jo Angelia joined the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in 1989 under Pastor J. J. Rector, Sr., and in 1991 married Rev. E. Thurman Walker Jr., who became Senior Pastor of Antioch in 1993. Jo served Antioch in puppet ministry, Sunday school, New Member Orientation, Vacation Bible School, College ministry, Rites-of-Passage, national youth conventions,  speaker for local and statewide women’s days and conferences.  She worked beside her pastor-husband until the Lord called Pastor Walker home on October 26, 2009.  She remains indebted to Pastor Dr. Kenneth Kemp and his wife Velma (Antioch BC) for their continued love, encouragement, and support.

Jo Angelia has written and directed plays, participated as a writer of Antioch BC Sunday School material.  In May 2013, Jo released a book titled, The Person Beside the Bed:  Encouragement for Informal Caregivers.  Possessing the gift of exhortation and encouragement, Min. Jo continues to preach, speak, and teach for San Antonio area churches.

Jo co-founded and is Board chair for The Dr. E. Thurman Walker Foundation, Inc. (a 501(c)3), which partners with the George Gervin Academy providing Music Technology and mentoring programs. Jo participates in several community ministries, Heal the Healer, Sisters United, Inside the Tent, and she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

In 2014 Jo united with Zion Global Ministries, West Chester, OH, Pastor Freddie and Marsha Piphus.  Under Pastor Piphus Jo Angelia acknowledged and accepted her call to the preaching ministry on Pentecost Sunday in May 2015.  In December 2015, Jo returned to San Antonio and continued her spiritual growth as an associate minister at God’s Way Christian Fellowship under Pastor Lonnie Coleman.  In the Summer 2017, Jo completed a ministerial internship at Wheeler Avenue Baptist  in Houston, TX (under Pastor Marcus Cosby).  In September 2017 Jo found her church home with Pastor Ray D. Brown and the Resurrection Church.

Jo is mother to Taliferro Neal Jr (32) (daughter-in-love Clarissa), and is “Mama Jo” to Kimberly Johns (Karl), Christopher Benford (Kori), Nicole Monet, and Jamie Dukes. She is “GaGa” to Raizel (14), Sabryia (11), SaVaughn (9), Tayla Marie (5), and Trae (1).

Her “life” scripture is Philippians 4:6–7.