Bishop Joseph Pannell

Bishop Joseph Pannell, age 87. Sunrise October 7, 1929 in Powhatan, WV and Sunset September 12, 2017 in Columbus, OH. Bishop Pannell retired from The U.S. Postal Service and was the founder and Pastor Emmeritus of Little Rock Church of Christ.  He was preceded in death by his parents Horace and Lucy Hairston Pannell.  Left to Cherish his memory, wife, Naomi Robinson Pannell; daughters, Deborah, Linda, Constance, Andrea, Jodi, Tanez, and Nichole; special nephew/son Curtis; sons in law, Blair, Ernest and Christopher and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  On Friday September 22, 2017, Bishop Pannell will Lie in State from 12 noon-6 p.m. at Little Rock Church of Christ, 857 Frebis Ave. The Family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m.  and The Celebration of Life Service to follow at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, September 23, 2017 Bishop Pannell will Lie in State at Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ, 1111 E. Long St. at 9 a.m. and The Home Going Service will begin at 10 a.m. Interment at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers and to offer condolences to the PANNELL Family visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com

LITTLE ROCK CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESENTS OUR FOUNDER:

      BISHOP JOSEPH PANNELL, D.D.

 A CONDENSED CHRONICLE AND  BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDAGE:

 1929: Born in Powhatan, West Virginia; 4^th child born to Horace Sr. and Lucy Pannell

1946: Baptized in the name of Jesus, receiving the Holy Ghost Nov. 10^th the same year

1946: Ordained a deacon in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (C.O.O.L.J.C.) at the age of 17

•  Helped build the Little Rock Church in W.VA where his name rests on the cornerstone

1947: Elected the “Most Outstanding Male High School Student of the Year”

1947: Graduated from Elkhorn High School with at G.P.A. of 4.0; National Honor Society

1949: Relocated to Columbus, Ohio

1951: Drafted into the United States Army

• Served as a Medic in the Korean War (U.S. Medical Corp. Infantry Division)
• Held the rank of Sergeant 1^st Class
• Recipient of 6 United States War Time Medals

1949: Became a faithful member of Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ

1952: Married Naomi Elizabeth Robinson

• Held the office of Sunday School Superintendent at Rehoboth for 26 years
• Held the office of Ohio State Sunday School Superintendent for 24 years
• Held the office of International Sunday School Supt. and National S.S. Supt.
• Created the National C.O.O.L.J.C. Sunday School Guide and Handbook

1974: Ordained as Elder in the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ

1978: Founded the Little Rock Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio (Jan 28)

• Held the Pastorate of New Bethel Temple Church in Gary, West Virginia (36 years)
• Retired from the U.S. Government

1983: Inducted into the National Sunday School Hall of Fame (Oklahoma City)

• Initiated, developed and executed building project to erect a new edifice in the South-side community in Columbus

1992: Little Rock Church of Christ, Ohio Building Project completed (May)

• District Elder over the Columbus/Cincinnati District Fellowship

2001: Little Rock Church of Christ, OH Church Mortgage Burning (June)

• Served on the Sonshine Christian Academy School Board, Columbus, Ohio

2011: Ordained as Bishop in the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ (Baltimore, MA)

2013: Transferred the baton to his son in law and became Pastor Emeritus of the Little Rock Church of Christ, Columbus, OH

Father to: 7 daughters, 1 nephew/son, 3 sons-in-law, 38 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, the New Bethel Church, W.Va, and loving  father to the LITTLE ROCK CHURCH OF CHRIST. Affectionately called, “Sir”, he is a father to many, a great leader in the national and state organization (C.O.O.L.J.C.) and the local community.

          LET THE CELEBRATION CONTINUE!