[4] Her father Henry was a successful St. Louis barber who became financially ruined after he unknowingly gave a haircut to a customer with impetigo, a contagious skin disease, which subsequently caused the infection to spread to other clients who were members of his church congregation.

[1][3] Her father died when she was 12,[1] and, despite being a successful student, she left school in eighth grade to get work as a housemaid and provide for her family.

Founder, director, and spiritual leader of the Mother Waddles Perpetual Mission, Inc., a nonprofit, nondenominational organization run by volunteers and dependent on private donations, Waddles believed that the church must move beyond religious dogma to focus on the real needs of real people.

Unlike the “soup kitchens” of the Depression era, where the destitute lined up with a tin cup for a handout, Mother Waddles’ establishment boasted of white tablecloths, a flower on every table and uniformed waitresses.

At first Mother Waddles did all the cooking, dishwashing and laundry herself, but as time went by, dozens of dedicated volunteers joined her.

It was at this property, located in a crime-ridden area of Detroit that she established Mother Waddles Perpetual Mission for Saving Souls of All Nations.

Fires, financial setbacks and other problems forced the mission to move several times over the years, but its spirit and goals remained the same.

In addition to operating a 35-cent dining room on Detroit's "skid row" that serves appetizing meals in cheerful, dignified surroundings, the mission offers health care, counseling, and job training to thousands of needy citizens.