NECROLOGY Listings

* Purple font connotes Episcopal Family; Red font , General Officers; and Blue font , Connectional Officers.

Sister Mary Banks Wright, president emeritus of the Fourth Episcopal District Lay Organization, former trustee, African Methodist Episcopal Church; and former member, African Methodist Episcopal Church General Board

Sister Aida Ocasio, 99, mother of First Lady Judith Ocasio Holmes and motherin-love of the Reverend Bernard Holmes, pastor of Rehoboth AME Church, Chesapeake, Virginia, Portsmouth Richmond Roanoke District-Virginia Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District

The Reverend Walter Raymond Perkins, Jr., retired itinerant elder who served well for many years in the West Tennessee Annual Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District

Mrs. Ruth Tolefree, the wife of the Reverend L.V. Tolefree (deceased), a faithful member of the East Arkansas Conference of the Twelfth Episcopal District, and past president of the old South Conference M-SWAWO

Sister Pearl Marie Ramsey, a faithful steward of Bethel AME Church, Rocky Mount, Virginia, and very close aunt of the Reverend Robin Hopkins, pastor of Meadowview AME Church in Martinsville, Virginia, Second Episcopal District

Sister Sharon Battle Patterson, the mother of First Lady Leslie Maria Patterson-Tyler and the mother-in-law of the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D., pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of the Philadelphia Annual Conference, First Episcopal District

The Reverend Henry Dampier, an associate minister of Mt. Olive AME Church in Orlando, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District, the spouse of Sister Jeannette Dampier

The Reverend Ora Lee Longley Thomas, age 83, retired itinerant elder in the West Tennessee Annual Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District; she was licensed in 1992 and pastored Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Hollow Rock, Tennessee, and Carey Chapel AME Church in Burlison, Tennessee

Mother Sarah McElrath, the mother of the Reverend Jerry Wilder, pastor of St. Mark AME Church West End, West Birmingham Ensley Greensboro District in the Northwest Alabama Conference, Ninth Episcopal District

Mrs. Carrie L Jones, wife of the Reverend Charles M. Jones, Sr., retired, mother of the Rev. Charles M. Jones, Jr. and mother-inlaw of the Reverend Dr. Jacquelyn Dupree, pastor of New Mt. Pisgah, Lake City, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District

Mrs. Velma Sue Smith, spouse of the Reverend Roy D. Smith, pastor of Beech Hill and New Seminary AME Church, Stephens, Arkansas (West Arkansas Conference), Twelfth Episcopal District

Bishop Harvey M. Wallace (Soul Winners Worship Center in Wilson, NC) the father of the Reverend Jeaninne D. Wallace, Ph.D., pastor of Ebenezer AME Church, New York, New York Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District

The Reverend Rodney E. Dailey, the husband of the Reverend Janine Dailey, pastor of New Bethel AME Church in Lowell, MA, where he was the associate minister; also, he was the First Episcopal District Sons of Allen coordinator, and served as the Connectional Sons of Allen chair of the Commission on Christian Service

Mr. Louis Manning, Jr., the father of the Reverend Eric S. C. Manning, pastor of Mother Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Edisto District, South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District AME Church and the father-in-law of Mrs. Mrs. Andretta M. Manning

Brother Cornelius Nelson Holliday, the brother of the Reverend Clay A. Holliday, Sr., pastor of Greenwood AME Church, Millington, TN and the uncle of the Reverend Clay A. Holiday, Jr. pastor of New Wrights Chapel AME Church, Arlington, TN, West Tennessee Annual Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District

Mrs. Fannie R Davis, the sister of Mother Carrie R. Grady, retired supervisor, AME Church; she was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, member of the choir, the Women’s Missionary Society, director of the Young Peoples’ Division locally, also a steward and a stewardess and served as the director ofthe Young Adult Choir

February 2023

The Reverend Dr. Hercules T. Miles, Jr., retired general officer, African Methodist Episcopal Church, served as secretary-treasurer of the AME Church Extension Department, 1976-1996

Mrs. Carlie Garnette Buchannan, oldest sister of Mother Porter and aunt of Connectional Officer Robin-Porter Smith, chair, Fellowship of Church Educators of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Mr. Henry James Burch, brother-in-law of Mother Porter, uncle of Connectional Officer Robin-Porter Smith, chair, Fellowship of Church Educators of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Joel Cousin, son of the Reverend Steven Cousin and Mrs. Linda Cousin, first family of Trinity AME Church in Kansas City, Kansas, Fifth Episcopal District; Joel is also the grandson of Bishop Philip R. Cousin (retired) and supervisor retired, Dr. M. Joan Cousin

Dr. Susie M. McClure, philanthropist and global missionary, centenarian plus seven, the maternal matriarch of the (Funderburk) family of the Reverend Dr. William W. Easley, Jr., presiding elder, retired, the immediate past parliamentarian of the Connectional Presiding Elders’ Council of the AMEC

Mr. Willie James Williams, 79 years of age, served as the third Connectional director of MCAM; the husband of the Reverend Willie Mae Williams

Retired Presiding Elder Robert Kirk, Sr., 100 years of age; during his lengthy tenure he pastored five churches in the Indiana South District, Fourth Episcopal District and served as presiding elder in that same district for 12 years

Mother Betty Elizabeth Davis Thompson, the maternal aunt of the Reverend Dr. Missiouri McPhee, Connectional director of Boy Scouts (The Association of AMEC), Chief Conference secretary (Central Conference – Eleventh District), and North Orlando District administrative assistant

Sister Shelly Fern Hodges, age 60, the only niece of Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram (ret.) and beloved niece-in-law of Supervisor Jessica Kendall Ingram (ret.)

Condolences to the bereaved are expressed on behalf of Public ations Commission chair Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr., presid ent/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Roderick D. Belin and editor of The Christian Recorder, Dr. John Thomas III.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)

To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 •

(CFIC

• amecfic.org • facebook.com/AMECFIC to hire. Best Lawyers in America is the only purely peer review guide to the legal profession for those who have excelled in their practice area.

For almost 40 years, Best Lawyers List has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. The lists are published in leading local, regional, and national publications across the globe.

With twenty plus years of practice, Derek Bruce has developed experience in numerous areas of the law, ranging from the representation of clients in complex business litigations and property tax disputes, to the negotiation of large real estate transactions and the resolution of sensitive land use issues. Today, he primarily represents clients before state and local governments throughout the state of Florida on land use, procurement, and regulatory issues.

Before joining Gunster, Attorney Bruce led the statewide governmental affairs team for one of Florida’s most recognizable entities and Central Florida’s largest employer, Walt Disney World. In that capacity, Counsel Bruce developed relationships with some of the state’s most influential decision-makers in government. He is dedicated to accomplishing his clients’ goals by working effectively with government officials and their staffs. His experience in dealing with elected officials on all levels helps him to provide clients with a

Publications And Presentations

1. “Evolving Future of the Hybrid Workplace,” Orlando Business Journal, roundtable participant, June 16, 2022.

2. “Embracing History: Juneteenth Celebration,” UCF Downtown, panelist, June 15, 2022.

Professional Associations And Memberships

1. Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Board of Directors- 2020-present.

2. The National Black Lawyers – Top 100.

3. Orlando Economic Partnership, Alliance for Regional Transportation (ART) workgroup, 2019-present.

4. BusinessForce, board member and past chair.

Civic And Community Service

1. Victim Service Center of Central Florida, board member.

2. Randy Roberts Foundation, board member.

3. Frederick Leadership Initiative, board member emeritus.

4. Orlando Marine Institute, past board member.

5. National Kidney Foundation, past board member.

6. Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, past president.

comprehensive understanding of how governments operate.

Within GunsterLaw, Derek has held a number of leadership positions, including currently serving as the Orlando office managing shareholder and formerly as chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

In his community, Derek has been actively involved with Leadership Florida (Class XXII member, Class XXXVII Chair and former board member); the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida where he serves as general counsel; the board of the Florida State Parks Foundation, Victim Service Center and the McCormick Research Institute. He is a founding board member of the Randy Roberts Foundation and a past board member of the Central Florida Foundation. He has also had the privilege of serving as president of the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida and chairman of Business Force, Central Florida’s largest political action committee.

Attorney Bruce has received many citations of recognition as counsel and legal leader.

HONORS - The Best Lawyers in America List - Government Relations Practice, 2018-2023.

A V Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

3. “The Intersection of Law & Politics: Navigating an Unpredictable Environment,” CLE Lunch & Learn, presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel, Central Florida, June 9, 2022.

5. Leadership Florida, past board member.

6. Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors-past member.

7. Florida Chamber of Commerce, East Central Florida Regional Leadership Council, past chair.

7. Seminole State College of Florida Foundation.

8. Lastly, Attorney Bruce made a presentation with the Orlando Business Journal on an “Executive Insight on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The link is given below.

Continued prayers and comments are welcomed as Attorney Derek E. Bruce honors God in doing his best as a legal leader and counsel.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS - DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION - ATTY. DEREK BRUCE https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/06/07/executive-insights-de-i-with-gunster.html Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: DBruce@GunsterLaw.com (Attorney Derek E. Bruce) gloriasbruce@gmail.com (Mrs. Gloria Bruce)

On behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder Dr. John Thomas III, we celebrate and applaud your achievements.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV) To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center: Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic.org • facebook.com/AMECFIC.