
January 2026 Necrology
"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 -
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Mr. Portie Cooper, the brother of Bishop Jeffery B. Cooper Sr, the Presiding Prelate of the Eighteenth and Thirteenth Episcopal Districts of the African Methodist Episcopal Church |
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The Reverend Charles Edwin Graham, a retired Itinerant Elder in the East Annual Conference of the Eleventh Episcopal District serving several churches throughout the Episcopal District, educated at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL where he majored in Music Education, and the Henry McNeal Turner Theological Seminary at the International Theological Center, Atlanta, GA |
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Mrs. Laura Copeland, the mother of Sister Linda Gant, President of the First Episcopal District Lay Organization |
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Sister Karen P. Dodson, the aunt of Reverend Stephanie Atkins pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Lancaster, Harrisburg District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District |
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Sister Cynthia Bauknight-Mickle Coley the sister of Reverend Terrilisa D. Bauknight, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Boonton, Newark District of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District |
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Mrs. Brenda A Justice, member of Dickerson Chapel AME Church in Millsboro, DE, the sister-in-law of Rev. Dr. Stanley Justice, Presiding Elder of the Wilmington District of the Delaware Annual Conference, the sister of Mrs. Cecelia Dunning of Mt. Zion AME Church Dover, in the Delaware Annual Conference, First Episcopal District |
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Brother Arthur Leon Smith, beloved Brother of Presiding Elder Karl V. Smith, Sr., Presiding Elder of the South District-East Conference of the 11th Episcopal District and Brother-in-Law of District Consultant Diane M. Smith |
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Mr. Stephen W. Rucker, Sr., the brother of Rev. Debby Thomas-Gaskin, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Memphis, Tennessee, West Tennessee Annual Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District |
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Mrs. Theresa McIntyre, mother of Reverend Percy T. McIntyre, Pastor of Clover Garden AME Church, Burlington, North Carolina in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District |
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Ms. Shermell "Suga" Teacher, beloved sister of the Reverend Johnnie Palmer, Pastor of Evergreen AME Church in the Baltimore District-Baltimore Annual Conference of the Second Episcopal District |
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Sister Ernestyne Kyles Brown, the widow of The Reverend O’Neal Hayes (O.H.) Brown, Sr., who served as Presiding Elder of the St. Louis Cape-Girardeau District, Missouri, Conference; she was also a Founding Member (1989) and appointed the first Secretary of The Connectional Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization, Plus P.K.’ (CONN-M-SWAWO+PK’S), Dr. Dorothy Owens, Founding President and Dr. John Q. Owens, served as the Director/Consultant of the Commission on Social Action of the African Methodist Episcopal Church |
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Ms. Mica Deann Yates, granddaughter of The Rev. Larry King, Ed.D., and Lady Carolyn King, the President of the Midwest Annual Conference M-SWAWO + PKs |
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Regis Lafayette Smith, the son of Rev. Walter Lawson, pastor of Primm Chapel AME Church, La Marque, TX, and Mrs. Carol Lawson, president of the Texas Conference MSWAWO+PK’s, Tenth Episcopal District |
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Reverend William Trent Conyers, of the Potomac District in the Washington Conference, Second Episcopal District |
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The Reverend Arnold Moore, age 90, a retired Pastor in the North Carolina Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District |
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Mrs. Helen B. Shade, stepmother of Reverend Michael Shade, Pastor of Israel Chapel AME Church in Connelly Springs, NC, in the Western District of the North Carolina Annual Conference., Second Episcopal District |
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First Lady Leslie J. Bennett, beloved wife of the Reverend Wayne E. Bennett, Pastor of St. Stephens AME Church in Elkridge, Maryland, in the Capital District of the Washington Conference, Second Episcopal District |
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Mr. Willie C. Crayton, the beloved father of Mrs. Regina Webster, wife of Reverend Wendell C. Webster, the first family of New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Orlando, Florida; he was a former deputy sheriff and law enforcement officer with the Orange County Department of Corrections for several years |
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Mrs. Celestine Wilson Cutrer, the Aunt of Reverend Linda Brown Saffore, a Superannuated AME Church Itinerant Elder on the Ministerial Staff at Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, TN, Thirteenth Episcopal District |
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Sis. Catherine Freeman, the sister of Exhorter Gwendolyn Williams, licensed exhorter at Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church and Executive Director Emeritus of International Health Commission of the AME Church |
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The Reverend Robert Allen Brown, Sr., Retired, during his active ministry served several churches in the New England Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District |
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The Reverend Alfonso Walker Jr, superannuated Elder of the Kentucky Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, during his active ministry faithfully served as pastor of Minor Chapel in Taylorsville, KY, Moores Chapel in Clinton, Ky and Allen Chapel in Columbus, KY |
For inquires concerning the Necrology Listing email: OEasleyL@amecfic.net.
The Clergy Family Information Center extends 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



