Necrology, December 2023 

 "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,

we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

- Listed In Sequential Order -

The Reverend Dr. James Robert Young, Sr., the brother of First Lady Allena Strong and brother-in-law of Reverend Leodis Strong, President, Connectional Council and Pastor of the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama

Mr. Thomas Wendell Smith, husband of Mrs. Dorothy Smith, and the father of The Reverend Dr. Rosalynn Kyle Smith Brookins, Retired Episcopal Supervisor, widow of the Late Bishop H. Hartford Brookins

Mrs. Mary Keith, the aunt of Reverend Dr. Juenarrl Keith, Presiding Elder of the Charleston District, South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Mr. Anthony “Tony” Ronald Peterson, nephew of Mother Delores Kennedy Wiliams, Fifth Connectional President of the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Mrs. Rita Fugh Powell, the widow of Mr. Gerald Powell; she leaves to cherish her life and love, her mother Mrs. Dorothy Fugh, daughters, Jerita Powell, and Jeralyn Richardson (Lige), and grandson Ayden Lige, sister Gwendolyn Fugh Dillihunt, sister-in-law Renee’ Powell, niece Dr. Monica Dillihunt, the Connectional WMS Historiographer, nephew Kevin Dillihunt, cousins Bishop Clement W. Fugh and Supervisor Alexia Fugh, Deloris Carhee (Winston), Alvin Fugh (Jean), Donald Fugh (Vanessa), (Robbie Fugh) and other relatives and friends, Thirteenth Episcopal District

Lady Catherine Saunders, wife of Reverend P. David Saunders, retired pastor of the Michigan Conference, Fourth Episcopal District

Ms. Gaynell M. Johnson, the sister of Lady Sharon Brumfield, and sister-in-love of Dr. Robert Brumfield, Presiding Elder; South District - Chicago Conference, Fourth Episcopal District

Mr. Forace Jones, father of Rev. Dr. Kerry James, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Bogalusa, LA, Eighth Episcopal District

Sis. Gwendolyn Strong Riley, sister of Rev. Dr. Terri L. Strong, Pastor of Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church, Arlington, Tennessee in the West Tennessee Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District

Mother Alvora Christina Lightfoot Wright, the mother of Judge Tania E. Wright, President of the Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Mr. Michael Keith McGruder, the only son of Reverend Harvey and Mrs. Carolyn McGruder, retired pastor and spouse of the Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District

The Reverend Percy Watford, husband of Reverend Pamala Jone Watford, Pastor St Luke AME Church, Onley Virginia; a devoted member of the Ministerial Staff at Macedonia AME Suffolk and St. Luke AME, Onley, VA, Second Episcopal District

Matriarch of the Okai and Clemens families, Mother Matilda Okai-Clemens, mother of Supervisor Irene Moifoi Daniels and mother-in-love of Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., Episcopal Leadership Team of the 17th Episcopal District

Mrs. Evelyn Simms, a Life Member of the WMS, the mother of the Rev. George (Elaria) Simms, Sr., minister at Quinn Chapel AME Church (Cincinnati, OH); the Rev. Mary (Rev. Lloyd) Guy, (Rev. Mary Guy is the Pastor of Greater Payne AME Church, Folsom, LA, Rev. Lloyd Guy is the Pastor of Mt. Everett AME Church, Greensburg, LA); Mosetta (Kelvin) Ellis (San Diego, CA); the Rev. Andrew (Rev. Margaret) Simms (Rev. Andrew Simms is the Pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church, Morgan City, LA and Union Bethel, Amelia, LA, Rev. Margaret Simms is the Pastor of Greater Hayes AME Church, Oakdale, LA), and the Rev. Dr. Moses A. (Rev. Karen) Simms, Jr., Pastor of Greater Turner Chapel AME Church (Greensburg, LA) of the 8th Episcopal District

Mrs. Frankie Mae Collier, the mother and mother-in-law of Brother Alfred and Rev. Dr. Anese Collier, Trustee Pro Tem and Pastor of Miller Chapel AME Christ Centered Ministries; she was a pillar in her family, the church, and community, Fourth Episcopal District 

The Reverend Dr. James E. Deas, Sr., a retired Pastor, Presiding Elder, former Director of Christian Education for the First Episcopal District, and former Ministerial Staff Advisor at St. Matthew AME Church, Newark, New Jersey

Bro. Charlie Jones, JR, Atlanta, GA.   Brother Jones, the eldest brother of Reverend Dennis J. Hampton, (Barbara), the Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Claremore OK, Twelfth Episcopal District

Mme MJ Dire, survived by her only son, the Reverend Sello Billy Dire, Nineteenth Episcopal District

 

For inquires concerning the Necrology Listing email: OEasleyL@amecfic.net

On behalf of Social Action Commission Chair, Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, Dr. Jacquelyn DuPont-Walker, Director/Consultant-Social Action Commission, we extend profound sympathy to all bereaved families. "We wish you the peace that comes from knowing God Is There and pray that He will keep you in His Promised, Gentle Care."

 

In Sympathy and Prayer,

Ora L. Easley, International Administrator