Bishop Geannette Leach, DD
 

Memorial for Bishop Geannette Leach, DD

Born in Gaffney, South Carolina on Apr. 26, 1926
Departed on Oct. 6, 2015 and resided in Linden, NJ.
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 16, 2015
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Service: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015
09:00 am
Cemetery: Rosehill Cemetery



In honor of our beloved Father and General President of the First Pentecostal Church of America, Inc., Geannette Leach was born on April 26, 1926 to the late Willie Oates and Rosa Leach of Gaffney, SC. He went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, NJ. He lived to attain the age of 89.

Geannette received his early education in Gaffney, SC. He met and married Gertrude Dorothy Howell. A devoted husband of one wife, he loved dearly for 65 years before and after her passing in May 2008. He later moved to Linden, New Jersey where he worked for the General Motors Company in Linden.

One day, God led the late Founder, Bishop MLB Colzie in his direction. She invited him to church and he promised that he would come. As he would always tell the church, he was no liar and kept his word and went, heard the word of God and received salvation, sanctified and he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under her leadership. There he became a member of Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church of America, Inc. Geannette Leach was a faithful soldier day and night. He was a great pillar of the church. Noon day prayers, service at night, loved playing his tambourine and singing his favorite songs "Rise Shine Give God the Glory" and the praise song he heard the angels singing in a vision "Yes."

After closely following his pastor, he was appointed then later ordained as a Deacon. He worked in the deacon's position so faithfully, God then called him into the ministry to preach. Answering the call of ministry and preaching his trial sermon he was elevated to Minister. After working as a minister and continuing to work in the field of deacon, the Lord blessed him to be elevated to an evangelist where he did the work of an evangelist and revivalist, traveling and preaching the Word of God. After seeing his faithfulness and dutiful work as an Evangelist, he was appointed as Pastor of Mt. Carmel FPC in New Brunswick, NJ, traveled with his wife on Monday's, Thursday's and Sunday's by train and Mt. Ararat, FPC of Gaffney, SC, traveling on appointed weekends and returning home in time to clock in at General Motors. Later he was evaluated to an Elder and soon afterward ordained.

He continued to work in the church, holding many local and general positions; he became the First Vice President of the FPC under the leadership of Bishop MLB Colzie.

Wherever his pastor sent him, he mastered the work well. Elder Leach preached revivals where many souls were saved, sanctified, received the Holy Ghost, healed, delivered, etc. He has performed baptisms, marriages, baby christenings and funerals. God has given him a heart of love for all people.

The Lord called our pastor and founder of the First Pentecostal Church home on Sunday, May 6, 1984, which were a great lost to the organization, but Elder Leach "continued" in the works of the Lord and the church prospered greatly. Her vision was to build a bigger edifice and The First Vice President of the FPC, Elder G. Leach, carried out the vision following her passing. He was consecrated as Bishop in September 1987 by the Late Bishop James Moore of Camden, NJ and later on received his Doctor of Divinity in June 1993. The reconstruction of the Headquarter Church began in 1986 and was finalized in 1989 under his leadership. The Lord blessed us to march in the new edifice on Sunday, February 18, 1990, where services are currently being held every night and noon day prayer every day. The organization has grown tremendously.

Bishop Leach continued to be motivated for the Lord in establishing two additional churches, Mt. Zion, Ludowici, Georgia and New Zion, Drewry, NC. Also, through this leadership, we now have The Junior Missionary Convention and Southwest District Convocation.

Bishop Leach was employed with General Motor in Linden, NJ for many years until his retirement in 1987, to take on his full-time position over the FPC Organization of the Lord's Work. A great man of God who was well known, recognized and respected for whom he was. One who was "FULL" of the Holy Ghost. Bishop Leach loved sitting, eating, praying, fasting, working, traveling and fathering his church family. He would tarry with anyone until they came through. "Call Jesus" "Thank you Jesus" is what sticks out in the mind of so many.

Bishop Leach didn't mind you ringing his phone "ANYTIME" day or night and praying for whomever was on the other end. A Great Man FPC was privilege to encounter and he would teach and preach HOLINESS reminding you to live right, that you couldn't make it without love and that you have to be Born Again. Bishop had an eye to see whether you were doing right or wrong and loved you through.

Bishop Leach kept the doors of the church open day and night, rain or shine, sleet or snow for the soul, because the House of God was the hospital for the sick and the lost. In the latter part of his life, when he could Bishop continued attending noon day prayer, Sunday Morning services, conventions and various meetings. Bishop would enter the gates with thanksgiving and entered the courts with such praise, God would grace us with His presence and every heart in the building was blessed.

Lee Sarrat moved in with Bishop Leach in the early 80s and stayed, helped cook, take him back and forth to the doctor until later he found new residence. Bishop Leach was then under the care of Brother Rashaun Thompson, who cared for him for seven years after First Lady Leach's passing. He daily handled Bishop Leach with loving care while his daughters Joanne and Carrie would make sure he had food prepared. God also blessed him with the assistant of Elder Frost. Elder Frost was a great help to him in his diet and with drinking the amount of water needed, God blessed Bishop to come off of "ALL" of his medicine. The Leach family and church family want to say "THANK YOU" to them for taking such great care of our Bishop.

Bishop Leach followed so close, going to the various churches in New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma and New York. He also visited and started prayer service in Harrisburg, PA and visited Alabama and other cities and states where he was commissioned out of obedience and God made him a Great Leader.

He was predeceased by his wife, First Lady Gertrude Dorothy Leach and a host of beloved uncles and aunts.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories a large loving family, including his children, son: Jimmy Leach (Mary) of Rocky Mountain, NC; 2 daughters: Camilla Joanne Coleman-Lee (Terry) of San Diego, CA, and Carrie Scott of Elizabeth, NJ; 8 grandchildren: Rhonda Luster, Eugene Coleman III of San Diego, CA, Sheron Gordon, Wilfred Scott, Jr., Darnell Leach (Annette) of Linden, NJ and Lisa Smith (Steve) of Rocky Mount NC; 14 great–grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister: Sarah Makupson of Thomasville, NC; sister-in-law: Melissa Kilgore of Linden, NJ; uncle/"brother": Hallie Leach (Essie Ruth) of Iselin, NJ; 2 aunts: Thelma Leach and Elizabeth Leach of Gaffney, SC; nieces, nephews, god-children, assistant: Elder Leon Thompson; caretakers: Brother Lee Sarrat, Brother Rashaun Thompson and Elder Queen Frost; special friend/Brothers-in-Christ: Bishop James Colzie and Bishop Author Doctor; Zion Temple Church family, the entire First Pentecostal Church of America, Inc., and a host of dear friends.


This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Bishop Geannette Leach, DD. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.

This Memorial Obituary provided by G.G. Woody Funeral Home