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103-year-old woman banned from Georgia church after 92 years plans to fight back: ‘I can’t give it up now’
BY MELISSA CHAN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 9:48 AM
A 103-year-old woman who has gone to the same Georgia church her entire life has been banned from the holy house after speaking out against its pastor and some of his sermons, she said.
Genora Hamm Biggs was stunned when she got the boot from the Union Grove Baptist Church in Elberton, Ga., last month in a typed letter saying its members voted her out of the congregation.
"I was shocked," the centenarian told the Daily News. "I wasn't expecting it. I'm not happy they're trying to put me out at that age."
Hamm Biggs, a devout Christian who reads the Bible daily, has been attending the same church for 92 years.
"I've been going since I was 11 years old," she said.
But her membership was terminated in early August by members and officers of the church.
"This letter is to inform you that according to the by-laws of the Union Grove Baptist Church, and by vote of the active members, any membership or associations that you have had with this church are now officially revoked," their note says.
"Therefore, you cannot attend Union Grove Baptist Church for any reason whatsoever," it continues. "You are not to come to the property of the Union Grove Baptist Church located at 680 Pulliam Street, Elberton, Georgia 30635."
Hamm Biggs, whose name is etched on the side of the church, told the News she believes it stems from disagreements she has had with the church's pastor, Reverend Tim Mattox, and his preaching style.
She claims Mattox is not following the covenant of the Baptist Church and is trying to change the denomination to a Holiness Church.
"He's a holy, sanctified minister. We are Baptist, and he has divided the church," she said. "I don't know. I believe it's because I do not agree on his sermons. That's the only reason I can give you."
The letter was also sent to two other longtime members, Hamm Biggs said.
Mattox, who has been leading the church for six years, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Attempts to reach the church Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Hamm Biggs said she tried sitting down for Sunday services last weekend, but Mattox called the cops on her and her two other exiled friends.
"We went back. We went in and sat down. The preacher told us we had to leave. I looked at him. He said, 'If you don't leave, I'm calling the police.' We still didn't go," she recalled.
Cops, who were already outside the church, told Mattox he wasn't allowed to kick them out, she said.
Hamm Biggs plans to return again for Sunday services.
"Of course I'm going back if I'm able," she told the News. "That's where I've been all my life. I can't give it up now."
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BY MELISSA CHAN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 9:48 AM
A 103-year-old woman who has gone to the same Georgia church her entire life has been banned from the holy house after speaking out against its pastor and some of his sermons, she said.
Genora Hamm Biggs was stunned when she got the boot from the Union Grove Baptist Church in Elberton, Ga., last month in a typed letter saying its members voted her out of the congregation.
"I was shocked," the centenarian told the Daily News. "I wasn't expecting it. I'm not happy they're trying to put me out at that age."
Hamm Biggs, a devout Christian who reads the Bible daily, has been attending the same church for 92 years.
"I've been going since I was 11 years old," she said.
But her membership was terminated in early August by members and officers of the church.
"This letter is to inform you that according to the by-laws of the Union Grove Baptist Church, and by vote of the active members, any membership or associations that you have had with this church are now officially revoked," their note says.
"Therefore, you cannot attend Union Grove Baptist Church for any reason whatsoever," it continues. "You are not to come to the property of the Union Grove Baptist Church located at 680 Pulliam Street, Elberton, Georgia 30635."
Hamm Biggs, whose name is etched on the side of the church, told the News she believes it stems from disagreements she has had with the church's pastor, Reverend Tim Mattox, and his preaching style.
She claims Mattox is not following the covenant of the Baptist Church and is trying to change the denomination to a Holiness Church.
"He's a holy, sanctified minister. We are Baptist, and he has divided the church," she said. "I don't know. I believe it's because I do not agree on his sermons. That's the only reason I can give you."
The letter was also sent to two other longtime members, Hamm Biggs said.
Mattox, who has been leading the church for six years, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Attempts to reach the church Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Hamm Biggs said she tried sitting down for Sunday services last weekend, but Mattox called the cops on her and her two other exiled friends.
"We went back. We went in and sat down. The preacher told us we had to leave. I looked at him. He said, 'If you don't leave, I'm calling the police.' We still didn't go," she recalled.
Cops, who were already outside the church, told Mattox he wasn't allowed to kick them out, she said.
Hamm Biggs plans to return again for Sunday services.
"Of course I'm going back if I'm able," she told the News. "That's where I've been all my life. I can't give it up now."
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she is 103 years old so the odds are in his favor he would outlive her. 
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