Rev. Earl Lee Derden

On July 4, 1942 Earl Lee Derden was born in Dermott Arkansas to the union of Jannie Tooks and Arthur Derden. As a child Rev. Derden attended Chico County Schools and was a member of the Boy Scouts and Jr. Masons.

Rev. Derden confessed Christ in 1954 at Calvary Baptist Church in Dermott, Arkansas under leadership of Pastor Mills. He later moved to Chicago in 1959 and was united with Christian Fellowship under leadership of Hardy Preston.

In 1969 he joined Greater Pleasant Valley under leadership of Rev. C. Ewing. Rev. Derden was a dedicated member of the Deacon Board, President of the Pastor Aid and Trustee Board. In 1980 when the Lord called him to the ministry and he was ordained on June 6, 1980 by Pastor Robert Skinner Sr. Rev. Derden moved to Michigan in 1984 and immediately joined New Jerusalem M.B. Church in Bangor, MI., underleadership of Rev. H. Bland where he was elected Assitant Pastor.

As Rev. Derden continued to do God’s work and go out into the byways and hiways and tell people of God’s goodness “Then said I, Here Am I, Send Me” Isa.6:8. In 1986 rev. E.L. Derden was elected Pastor of Mt. God’s Shepherd for 19 years.

In 2005 Rev. Derden united back with New Jerusalem M.B. Church under pastorage of Rev. Maurice Jones. Rev. E.L. Derden was a member of National Baptist Ministers Association, Southern Christian Ministers Association, Chain Lake District, interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Covert and Vicinity (vice-president 2 years), South Haven Area Ministerial Alliance, Chaplin for South Haven Hospital, J.W. Hood 043 under W.M. Bro Albert Thomas.

His legacy left a trail of Pastors, Ministers, Teachers, and Evangelists. Rev. Derden passion was traveling. He worked for Coach Travels in Chicago, Illinois, and B&W Charters in Kalamazoo, Michigan for over 30 years.

And on October 12, 2006 at 7:05 p.m. “His Lord said unto him Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of they Lord.”

Preceding him in death are his parents Jannie Tooks and Arthur Derden, brother Adoldf Watley, grandson-Travin, seven aunts-Willie Mae, Gussie, Ozell, Beatrice, Maylee, Martha, Luevenia, one uncle-James Tooks and many cousins.

Those who will be deprived of h is devoted life and his presence is his loving and devoted wife Carla, daughter Sheana Spellman, son Christopher Earl, stepdaughter-LaShawna, stepson-James, grandchildren-Tommy Jr., Timothy, Terrence, Torry and Tiesha, great-grandson-Kevin, step-grandchildren-Deondre, Brandon, Jason, Jordan, Kaina A’Shawna and Shanel, mother-in-law-Eunice Brantley, two sister-in-laws-Barbara, and Maria, two brother-in-laws-Melvin (Pat) and Ronald (Linda).

Rev. Derden also leaves to cherish his memories stepchildren from his previous marriage Willie Ann, Carolyn, Calvin, Suzette, Edward and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Along with is God sisters Florence Coakley and Ermma Reed, goddaughters Devin Massey and Kiana Brantley, many cousins in Chicago, Kansas City, and Michigan, many friends and two special friends-Steve and Bonnie Whitmore, and to the many ones in Pullman that called him “POPS”.