Henry O. Leftridge

PASTOR EMERITUS HENRY O. LEFTRIDGE Pastor Emeritus Henry O. Leftridge, 79, returned to his heavenly home on Saturday July 20, 2019. Pastor Emeritus Henry O. Leftridge was born on November 17, 1939 in Charleston, West Virginia, the fifth child, second son of the late Rev. George L. Leftridge, Sr., and Mrs. Helen Campbell Leftridge. He professed and accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at the Liberty Baptist Church, and later joined the First Baptist Church, Charleston, West Virginia. He attended public schools in Charleston, graduating from Garnet High School in 1957. Upon graduation from high school he entered West Virginia State College pursing a Liberal Arts education. In 1959 Pastor Leftridge entered the United States Army, serving a three-year tour, part of which was served in the 101st "Screaming Eagles" Airborne Division as a paratrooper. After discharge from the armed services with honors, he re-entered West Virginia State College. In 1972 he united with the Mount Period Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the trustees and deacons ministries and in numerous other capacities before publicly acknowledging and accepting God's call to preach the gospel in 1977. Upon the delivery of his first public sermon, he was licensed, and in 1978, after careful public examination, was ordained, and thereafter served as Assistant to Pastor Jerry M. Carter, Sr., until receiving and accepting the call to pastor the Mount Vernon Avenue Baptist Church. In February 1985 he was installed. During his pastorate of thirty years under the direction of the almighty God the following were completed: youth ministries, annual church administration retreat, multipurpose facility, “Project Share” food pantry ministry, “The Inner Circle” church newsletter, a yearly delegation represented at the National Baptist Convention of USA, Inc., seven spiritual sons and daughters licensed and ordained in the gospel ministry, acquiring two parcels of land and church expansion, and overseeing the successful merge of Mount Vernon Avenue Baptist Church and the New Zion Baptist Church to formulate the Unity Baptist Church of Columbus. Pastor Emeritus Leftridge was blessed to visit the Holy Lands in 1994. Pastor Leftridge was also blessed to preach in Jerusalem while in Israel. He and family were privileged to be baptized in the Jordan River. Pastor Emeritus Leftridge, has matriculated at Capital University, Eastern Union Bible College, Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has successfully attended and completed numerous pastoral lectures, classes, and seminars. Pastor Leftridge has taught homiletics at the Eastern Union Bible College, Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Emeritus Leftridge served as President of the Baptist Pastors' Conference of Columbus and Vicinity; Third Vice-President of the Congress of Christian Education, Ohio Baptist General Convention; a board member and past secretary of the International Christian Fellowship For Missions; President of the Deacons, Ministers, and Trustees Institute of the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association, and has served as a committee member of the Columbus Board of Education Neighborhood Schools Development Partnership (NSDP). Pastor Leftridge was also active in the National Baptist Convention, USA., Inc. Pastor Leftridge served as a member of an interview panel for the hiring/selection of new teachers at Columbus' legendary East High School. Pastor Leftridge was profiled in the 2004 edition of Who's Who in Black Columbus. In 2008 he was inducted into The West Virginia All Black School Sports & Academic Hall of Fame. He is preceded in death by stepmother, Thelma Leftridge, sisters; Helen Robinson, JoAnn Manns, Nancy Smith; stepsister, Mary; brother, Bubby Leftridge, stepbrothers, Ed, Charles, Jack, and William Long. Nephew Robert Robinson, and great-niece, Terry Chambers. He leaves as his legacy his wife of forty-three years Cheryll L. Leftridge; his daughter Anika D. Leftridge; He also leaves to cherish his memory Brother-in-Laws, Don Smith, Pastor Tyrone A. Lawes (Cynthia). Nephews; Randall Robinson, Sr. (Yolanda), Stevie Smith. Allen Leftridge; nieces, Donna Lynne Smith, Monica Lawes, Lisa Perkins, Carmen Murry, Mona Moore; great nephews, Randall Robinson, Jr., Robert “Bobby” Robinson, Carlton Drake (Dariane), Tyreek Drake, Keyshon Drake, Chris, Billy Chambers (Michele), Joey Chambers, Calvin Fisher, Burt Fisher; great nieces, Nicole Robinson (Charles), Natalie Robinson, Nalisa Robinson, Jazmin Casey, Luna Maria, Shakira, Tamika, Shayla Leftridge, Lishaya Fisher, Wendy Waters a host of great-great nieces and nephews. Goddaughters, Carole Glasco, Gail Dulaney (Eric), Sharlene Mullins, TomRhonda Mills (Chad), and god grandchildren, Anthony Byrd, Chad E. Mills, Jr., Charles T. Mills, and friends. Pastor Leftridge demonstrated his love for the Lord, and His people.