Gwendolyn Renee Giden

Nov. 7, 1954 – Aug. 13, 2001

Mrs. Gwendolyn Renee Giden, 46, devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter and sister who resided on North College Street, South Bend, Ind., was taken into the arms of Jesus at 8:05 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in Memorial Hospital, after suffering from an illness.

The sunrise of Gwen’s life began on Nov. 7, 1954, in Benton Harbor, Mich. when she was born to the union of Clarence and Mildred (Love) Sutherland. At the very early age of eight, Gwen accepted Christ as her personal savior under the pastorage of Reverend W.W. Taylor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Chicago, Ill. 

In 1967, the Sutherland family moved to South Bend and joined the Mt. Olive Baptist Church where Gwen served as choir director. She graduated from John Adams High School.

On Feb. 22, 1975, Gwen and Dennis R. Giden Sr. were united in holy wedlock, a union lasting 26 years. Sister Giden continued her life as a beautiful Christian woman as she assumed the role of compassionate first lady of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Niles, Mich. where she actively served as youth supervisor. She also co-hosted the Bethlehem Spiritual Hour along with her husband on radio station WAMJ from 1983 to 1988. She was one of the founding members of the pastor’s wives fellowship. She also was a well known speaker throughout the Michiana area. But first and foremost she was a devoted wife and mother.

Her precious memory will be cherished by her dedicated husband, Reverend Dennis R. Giden Sr.; three daughters, Seianna R. Giden, Michelle L. Giden and Sardius L. Giden; five sons, Dennis R. Giden Jr., Marcus D. Giden, Lawrence L. Giden, Joshua C. Giden and Andrew L. Giden, all at home; her parents, Clarence and Mildred Sutherland of South Bend; a sister, Delsie (Gordon) Young of Portland, Ore.; and three brothers, Michael (Diantha) Sutherland, Frederick (Linda) Sutherland and Gregory Sutherland, all of South Bend; along with a host of other relatives, friends and the Bethlehem Baptist Church family.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Marshall Sutherland and Clarence Sutherland Jr.

The home going service for Mrs. Giden will be held at noon Monday, Aug. 20, in the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where friends may call one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Alford’s Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.

05/06/2021 DEC

 From Byra Warner ‘73

Hi Jim,

I was randomly looking at the list of Classmates who have not registered or are missing and saw a couple of classmates who I know have passed:

Clarence Sutherland ‘72 passed away very young...can’t recall if it was in the service in Germany but I think so and believe it was in the 1970s. 

Gwendolyn Sutherland ‘72 also passed away. Here’s Gwen’s announcement: http://www2.sjcpl.org/db/obits/recorddetail/rec/182249

This SBT obit announcement for Gwen’s son, Joshua Gidan, at the very end of the article, also proves Gwen and her brother Clarence Jr. Are deceased. 

http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2008-07-17/news/26877284_1_special-friend-south-bend-bulletins

Byra Warner ‘73

South Bend Tribune