Jesse James Lipford

Jesse James Lipford was born March 4, 1933, to the late Mr. James Lipford and Mrs. Mariah Lipford in Coldwater, Mississippi. There he grew up as a farmer. He began his formal education at Coldwater Elementary School. During these years he was stricken with polio, which prolonged his primary school days. Some said he would not walk, but he said, “I’m going to run,” and run he did.

He moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1950. There he continued his education at Geeter High School, serving as president of his senior class and graduating as salutatorian. Jesse furthered his education at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. The college experience was short lived, for he was drafted in November 1955 to serve his country as a member of the United States Army. In 1957 he received an honorable discharge. Knowing that there is no discharge in God’s army, he attended Ware’s Bible Institute and later attended Mason Bible College, graduating with a Master’s Certificate in Religious Education. He is also a retiree of the United States Post Office.

He married the late Miss. Merdine White in July 1954, and to this union seven children were born. Mrs. Merdine White-Lipford preceded him in death in August 1975. On March 27, 1976, Jesse married Miss Ernestine Royal, and to this union one son was born.

Jesse J. Lipford overcame many obstacles and accomplished many goals. Polio, wars, and other adversities did not abort his progress. Perhaps that is why he enjoyed quoting John 10:10- “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

At age twenty-seven he gave his life to the Lord. Three years later he accepted his call to preach God’s word and received ordination as an Elder in 1967 from the late Bishop A. B. McEwen Sr. Since his ordination, Elder Lipford has served the church in various capacities. He has served as District YPWW President, State Chairman of the Youth Department, and District Superintendent. He was most recently serving as pastor of the Lakeview Community Temple Church of God in Christ. Additionally he was the founder and leader of the Concern Pastor’s of Whitehaven and he was an Executive Board member of the African American Pastor’s Consortium. Likewise, Pastor Lipford served as an Administrative Assistant to the late Bishop Samuel L. Lowe and present Bishop Jerry W. Taylor of Tennessee Fifth Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. On the national level he was a Marshall of the General Assembly, a regional Chairman of the Pastor’s and Elder’s Council and a member of the Judiciary Board of the Pastor’s and Elder’s Council. During the 110th National Holy Church of God in Christ Convocation in St. Louis, MO, Elder Jesse James Lipford was consecrated an Auxiliary Bishop.

Preceding Bishop Jesse J. Lipford in death are his father, James Lipford, his first wife, Missionary Merdine Lipford, brothers, William Lipford, John Authur Lipford and Voicie Lipford Sr., two grandchildren, Kanita Cole and Lerzons Stokes Sr.

Saturday, December 16, 2017, God called his Servant Bishop Jesse James Lipford, and he answered and stood up. He was a devoted family man. He was the caregiver for his 107-year-old mother, Mother Mariah Lipford. He was the husband of Jurisdictional Supervisor Emerita, Mother Ernestine Royal Lipford. Bishop Jesse J. Lipford was also a proud father of four beautiful daughters, Kalessa Stokes (Leroy), Sherrill Stanton (Patrick), Pervania Knox (Wendell) and Surdonicus Hilliard and four handsome sons, John Palton (Shirley), Reginald Lipford, Bruce Lipford (Yarkeisha) and Jesse E. Lipford. God has also blessed him to see his seed multiply upon the earth and be manifested in the form of scores of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also leaves to cherish his memories his church family, adopted sisters Dorothy, Minnie and Cleo, God sons, God daughters, and an abundance of family members and friends.