[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E39-E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF REVEREND SUMPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday I had the 
chance to join many in my community to both mourn the death and 
celebrate the life of Rev. Percel Napoleon Sumpter, pastor of Solomon 
Temple Missionary Baptist Church. For more than 30 years Reverend 
Sumpter has been a leader in our community. He worked tirelessly to 
promote a better understanding between various factions of our 
community, getting the police to understand our youth and helping young 
people work with the police, trying to provide job opportunities for 
those on public assistance, and seeking better housing for the elderly 
and low income. Our community owes a great deal to Reverend Sumpter.
  Like the hundreds of people who attended his homegoing celebration on 
Saturday, I will miss Reverend Sumpter and all of his wisdom and 
counsel.
  Our entire community conveys to the Sumpter family our deepest 
sympathy.
  I am enclosing below an obituary of Reverend Sumpter that may inspire 
many of us as we seek to help our own communities.

                                Obituary

       ``The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath 
     anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me 
     to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the 
     captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at 
     liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year 
     of the Lord.'' Luke 4:18-19

       The Reverend Dr. Percel Napoleon Sumpter was born in 
     Columbia City, Florida, on December 22, 1925, to his proud 
     parents, the late Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Eva Sumpter. Dr. Sumpter 
     was one of seven children.
       He was preceded in death by one brother, Reverend Lazarus 
     Sumpter; two sisters, Mittiean Latson and Rosa Fashaw.
       Dr. Sumpter was reared in a Christian home and taught 
     Christian principles by his parents. He confessed Christ and 
     was baptized at an early age and united with Bethel

[[Page E40]]

     Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, Florida. Reverend C. Byrd was 
     his pastor.
       He received his education in the public schools in Columbia 
     City, Florida, and received his Masters Degree in Manual 
     Carpentry from Lincoln Park Academy of Columbia City, 
     Florida.
       He was always interested in gospel music. As he grew older, 
     he was inspired by God and his interest grew stronger. At the 
     age of eighteen, he was blessed to organize and sing with the 
     Truetone Gospel Singers and the Golden Bell Jubilee Singers 
     of Fort Pierce, Florida. He became a professional singer and 
     was blessed and privileged to tour through most Southern, 
     Midwestern and Western States, singing in concert with 
     renowned recording artists. He was noted as the star leader 
     of the singing group. He and his singing group was blessed 
     and honored to sing for branches of the United States Armed 
     Services.
       In 1954 he changed his place of resident from Florida to 
     Vallejo, California. He united with the St. John Baptist 
     Church of Vallejo, California, and joined the choir, known as 
     the Voices of St. John.
       On April 9, 1964, he confessed his calling to the ministry 
     under the leadership of Dr. Calvin Miller. He was licensed 
     May 14, 1964, and ordained September 12, 1965, by Dr. Calvin 
     Miller. He served as the assistant pastor of Good Samaritan 
     Baptist Church of Vallejo, California, where Dr. Calvin 
     Miller was pastor. Dr. Sumpter retained his membership at 
     Good Samaritan Baptist Church, where Reverend M.D. Slade is 
     pastor at this time.
       Dr. Sumpter continued his education at Solano College for 
     three semesters. He received an honorary Doctorate of 
     Achievement Degree from the United Theological Seminary of 
     Monroe, Louisiana, by Dr. S. Henry White, Registrar. He 
     attended the Progressive Baptist Seminary in Vallejo, 
     California. He also attended the National Congress, U.S.A., 
     Inc. and taught classes on ``Jesus and His Teaching in Light 
     of the New Testament''.
       In February, 1967, Solomon Temple was in need of a pastor; 
     one that would spiritually motivate the congregation. The 
     Church prayerfully searched for that special God-sent man. 
     Several ministers were given appointments to speak to the 
     membership. Dr. Sumpter was included.
       Dr. Sumpter delivered to the Church a message from God. He 
     closed his message with a song: ``It's Another Day's Journey, 
     and I'm Glad About It''.
       On February 26, 1967, Dr. Sumpter was installed as the 
     pastor of Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church by 
     Reverend J.L. Johnson, pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, 
     Richmond, California.
       Under the dynamic Christian leadership of Dr. Sumpter, many 
     stimulating auxiliaries and classes have been organized for 
     the purpose of nurturing Christian growth.
       He was employed by the Hoffman Company in Concord, 
     California, as a master carpenter for twenty-five years until 
     retiring in 1984.
       Dr. Sumpter shared liberally his time, his God-given 
     talents and his strong Christian influence and material 
     possessions so that each of us may know through his visual 
     example how to become true Stewards of Christ.
       He was currently serving as an Instructor for the St. 
     Vincent de Paul Employee Training Program.
       November 24, 1996, Dr. Sumpter preached his last sermon at 
     Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church from scriptures: 
     Psalms 72:16 and Psalms 73:1-2. The subject: ``Christ, Our 
     Sufficiency''.
       On December 27, 1997, Dr. Sumpter answered the welcome 
     voice of his Savior, and was translated into the presence of 
     Jesus. He leaves to cherish his memory; his loving and 
     devoted wife of forty-two years, Mrs. Arimentha Sumpter, 
     Vallejo, California.
       Four daughters: Margaret Cooley, Vallejo, California; Joyce 
     Balkum Sumpter, Rochester, New York; Sonja Reese, Fort 
     Meyers, Florida; and Sadie Shivers, Dale City, Virginia.
       Three sons: Terry Sumpter, Vallejo, California; Aaron 
     Sumpter, Petersburg, Virginia; and Calvin Smith, Fort Pierce, 
     Florida.
       Godson: Victor A. Jones, San Diego, California.
       One sister: Anna Wilson, Lake City, Florida.
       Two brothers: Reverend Nathaniel Sumpter, Quincy, Florida 
     and Aaron Sumpter, Lake City, Florida.
       Fifteen grandsons, a special grandson, Paul Cooley, Sr., 
     Vallejo, California, nine granddaughters, eleven great-
     grandchildren, a special great grandson, Paul Cooley, Jr., 
     Vallejo, California; a host of other relatives, Solomon 
     Temple Church family and many, many friends.

                       Servant of God, Well Done!

     Thy glorious warfare's past;
     The battle's fought, the race is won,
     And thou art crowned at last.

       Dr. Sumpter's affiliations, recognition awards, 
     certificates and community services are many and are not 
     listed by request of the family.

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