Ashro Woman: Tameka P.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Tameka P. from Goldsboro, NC.
A pastor AND a first lady, Tameka has always had faith in God—whether the living was easy or difficult.
“I was taught and shown faith from a child. My parents struggled a lot. There were times when we didn’t have food, and my mom would sit in her recliner and call on the name of the Lord. After a while, we would hear a knock at the door or the telephone would ring, and they would bring in bags or boxes of food. God always came through for us.”
Now all grown up, Tameka is married to a man who has been a pastor for 25 years. The role of first lady is something that Tameka embraces. “Being a first lady is not an easy job, but it is worth it. You not only get to impact the lives of others…but you also get to cover your husband. You have to cover him and sometimes that means YOU being uncovered.”
Thankfully, Tameka is no stranger to putting family first. She considers it a triumph to be able to care for her parents and her husband’s mother…and a blessing to have raised her niece and nephew.
While Tameka’s greatest struggle has been infertility and the pain that this brings, she continues to hold onto her faith and lean into her callings—like becoming a pastor. When her mother fell ill and asked her to take over her ministry, Tameka answered the call and has been pastoring for 2 years now.
“My church is a place of love for all people. We love unconditionally, and that’s what people need.”
| Name |
| Tameka P. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Goldsboro |
| Which state do you live? |
| NC |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The Ashro woman is a godly woman who values herself in every aspect of the word. She is confident that God who has done a good work in her will perform it. The Ashro woman knows that no matter what life has thrown her way, she is more than a conqueror through Christ who loved her. I embody her because despite all of the obstacles thrown at me during the past couple of years, I am here to tell the story. I not only survived, I conquered. I conquered every fear, disappointment, and heartbreak! I stepped out into Ashro’s best looking and feeling better than ever! Not because everything was okay at the moment, but because I knew God had me. |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am a Pastor! I love Pastoring mostly because I get to share the news of Jesus Christ to all those I come in contact with. Pastoring also gives me the opportunity to impact the lives of those who feel hopeless. One of the things I do not like about Pastoring is that people easily take advantage of you. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| Loving on my family and friends. |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| Holding my nieces and nephew |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| Baked Spaghetti is my best dish. I make it for my family and church family. I typically serve it at home or after church on Sundays. |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| My greatest struggle is not being able to conceive a child (yet). My greatest triumph is being able to care for my parents and my husband’s mother. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| My mother. I have watched my mother endure some of the toughest situations, but she’s always held on to her faith in God. She’s always been the backbone of our family and has a heart of gold.. My mother influenced me the most in my life. I have watched her endure some of the toughest storms but she never gave up. She never gives up on people! |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| I look after an 83 year old woman who is severely de. I look after after a 83 year old lady. Yes I volunteer for the elderly and children. U give thk |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? |
| Unfortunately, I am not i a sorority, although my dream is to b a Delta Sigma Theta girl!!!! My husband is Phi Beta Sigma. My sorority means culture for service and service for humanity. This allows him to him serve the community and various projects to promote unity among mankind. This is also gives him a brotherhood he can rely on and they can strengthen one another. |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I love the uniqueness of fashion and style. When it comes to fashion and style, you can be what and who you want to be. Whatever you choose expresses the nature of who you are! People know you by your style. Your style is what separates you from others! It allows you to stand out amid the mundane things in life. |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| My mother influenced my style. She was always a little heavier than other women i her family, so she taught me how to not only smell good, but look good. She taught me that a woman doesn’t have to show her body to be sexy. |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| I dress up for church every Sunday, Banquets, Birthday parties, charity events, going out with my husband or friends, impromptu din |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| Yes I started out being a little shy and not wearing pants. I swore I would never wear leggings, and now they are my favorite! |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! |
| I very seldom wear hats. When I do, I wear them, I am at church for a special occasion. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I do not wear head wraps only because I don’t know how to fix them correctly. :) |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| Yes, I do occasionally wear wigs. The short wigs are my favorite. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| Yes, I am a woman of faith! Faith in God is all I know. I was taught and shown faith from a child. My parents struggled a lot. There were times when we didn’t have food and my mom would sit in her recliner and call on the name of the Lord. After a while, we would hear a knock at the door or the telephone would ring and they would bring in bags or boxes of food. God always came through for us! |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| Yes. I attend Last Day Outreach Ministries. I am actually the Pastor. My church is a place of love for all people. We love unconditionally and that’s what people need. We not only say we love, but we show it through giving to others in the community. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| I am leaving them notes and journals. Sharing my experiences with them. I am extending my time with them to show them the traditions of our family and church. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| Yes |
| If yes, tell us about it. |
| My husband has been pastoring for 25 years. Being a First Lady is not an easy job, but it is worth it. You not only get to impact the lives of others in a greater way, but you also get to cover your husband. You have to cover him and sometimes that means you being uncovered. I have been pastoring for 2 years. My mother is the founder of the ministry. She fell sick and asked me would I take over the ministry. I was honored to be able to take over my mother’s legacy. |
| Your best advice? |
| My best advice is to trust God through it all. You will not be perfect, but you serve a perfect God. You will face some of the toughest times in your life, but God will always be there |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| I have not had the opportunity to mother my own children, but God has blessed me to be able to raise my sister’s children. She was on drugs so I raised them to ensure they had the best care. This experience taught me unconditional love. My babies were not perfect but they mine! We tragically lost my nephew on November 29,2020. He was shot and killed at a party. He was only 20 years old. I am grateful for the opportunity to have raised him. |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| Yes. The credit has helped me so much, especially during this pandemic. |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| When I first saw my grandmother with an Ashro catalog, I was like those are some nice clothes! My grandmother has always been classy dresser and Ashro was her style! |
Thanks for inspiring us, Tameka!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (4)
Belinda Ware
It is always encouraging to read about others who have made it and continue to make it through the struggles that come on their life. Her story is a familiar one personally (taking care of parents and husband); Thank you for sharing and letting others know that with God, we can make it through any situation. I know it to be true too!!!
Jaydon Value
Thank you for sharing Belinda!
Sheila
Beautiful and encouraging message from Minister Tameka!
Paulette Brock
Praise God for it all.God bless us all.God bless 1st Lady.