Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Reverend Dr. Harry Lee Ferrell
Reverend Dr. Harry Lee Ferrell was born on March 8, 1933, in
Kinston, North Carolina, to Mr. Cleo and Mrs. Minnie Mae Sutton
Ferrell. He was one of four children which included, a brother and
sister, (both deceased at infancy) and Mrs. Vivian Black. Because
Rev. Ferrell’s parents died when he was a young child, he and his
sister were raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Sutton
(deceased), who also lived in Kinston. He attended public school
and graduated in 1952 from Adkin High School. Upon his
graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. In October
1952, he was transferred to the Naval Training Center in San
Diego, California. During a visit to the San Diego Christian
Servicemens Center, Rev. Ferrell accepted Jesus Christ as his
Lord in Savior. In September 1956, four years later, Rev. Ferrell
was honorably discharged.
It was in May 1956, when Rev. Ferrell met Miss Emily Jean
Parker, a native of Houston, Texas. They were united in holy
matrimony on March 2, 1957, with Dr. S. M. Lockridge performing
the ceremony. To this beautiful union two children were born: a
daughter, Donna Sharee, and a son, Anthony Lamont. Rev.
Ferrell was employed at Naval Air Station, North Island for sixteen
years. There he began his career as an Aircraft Cleaner and soon
worked his way up to the position' of Employee Relations
Specialist. Still moving up the ladder of success, he was soon
promoted to Personnel Staffing Specialist. Rev. Ferrell was an
active member of Bayview Baptist Church. He served as
Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School, a member of the
Sanctuary Choir, and Teacher for Brotherhood. He was also a
member of the Ambassadors Gospel Group, singing in many
churches throughout San Diego.
Because of his faithfulness and love for the Lord, Rev. Ferrell was
ordained as a Deacon on November 7, 1965, at the Bayview
Church. Because he had a desire to learn more about God’s
Word, he enrolled in the Linda Vista Bible College and Seminary.
Attending evening college, he worked diligently to obtain his
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Divinity, and a
Doctor of Philosophy in Religion.
Rev. Ferrell acknowledged the call of God to preach the gospel of
Christ; on October 10, 1971. He received his license to preach
and on September 26, 1973, was ordained as a Minister of the
Gospel. His first sermon, entitled "SO, AS MUCH AS IN ME IS, I
AM READY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL" was taken from
Romans 1:15. Soon after his ordination, God led Rev. Ferrell to
organize a Friday night bible study class in his home. Through
this class, many souls were saved. On March 20, 1974, Rev.
Ferrell organized the Grace Missionary Baptist Church and was
unanimously voted in as Pastor.
In 1980, Pastor Ferrell was elected President of Congress of
Christian Education of the Southwest District Association and
Professor of Evangelism at Linda Vista Bible College and
Seminary. He was also elected Second Vice President of the
Congress of Christian Education of Western Baptist State
Convention. He also served as Vice Moderator of San Diego
Southern Baptist Association and Coordinator of Black Church
Ministry. After forty years of service, Dr. Ferrell retired from the
pastorate in 2014, and became Pastor Emeritus of Grace Unity
Missionary Baptist Church.
On December 13, 2021, God called His servant to his heavenly
home. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of
64 years, Dr. Emily Jean Ferrell, sister, Vivian Black,
granddaughter Dominque Ferrell, and other relatives who
proceeded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories, his
children, Donna (Ron) Scott and Anthony (Sheila) Ferrell,
grandchildren, LaMarr Ferrell, DeAndre Ferrell, Sharyna Scott,
Drew Ferrell, Shanice (Dillon) Monell, DeRon Scott, Shariana
Scott, Sharyce Ferrell, and DeShon Scott, cousins, Bobby Drake
and Dr. David C Greene (Louise), Nieces, Donna (Lee)
Washington, and Adrienne Freeman, Grace Missionary and
Grace Unity Church family, along with other family, relatives, and
friends.
To God be the Glory!
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of REV. HARRY L. FERRELL, please visit our floral store.