[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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