William Harold Kibble

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and Maker is God.”

Hebrews 11:10

Life Sketch

William Harold Kibble was born the third of six children, on September 5, 1933, in Houston, Texas to Harvey Ward Kibble, Sr. and Thelma Lora Winston Kibble. Harold was proceeded in death by his two older brothers: Harvey Jr. and Herman Loris, his sister, Marie Lois and his younger brother, Alvin Maurice.

Harold was the product of Adventist education, where he developed a love for the written word, attending Trinity Temple in Newark, New Jersey; Shiloh in Chicago, Illinois; and Greater New York Academy in Woodside, Queens, New York. After the academy, he attended EMC (Emanuel Missionary College now Andrews University) where he continued to be an active student singing in the choir, emceeing programs, participating in oratorical contests and weight-lifting exhibitions. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1956. In 1959 he married Claudia Dent with whom he had three children: Michelle, Mark and Joel. He received a Masters of Divinity from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Takoma Park, Maryland and later did post graduate studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Harold was a third-generation Seventh-day Adventist pastor and began his ministry in Northeastern Conference as an intern and youth pastor at the Ephesus Church in Harlem, New York. His first pastorate was the Mount of Olives Church in Brooklyn, New York; followed by the Calvary Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At Calvary, he also conducted the choir and held his first “tent effort.” He baptized 90 to a 100 people, for which he was honored as the “Pastor of the Year.” Each succeeding summer there was another evangelistic meeting, one of which resulted in the planting of a new church in Niagara Falls. Near the end of the Civil Rights Era, he was assigned to the Berea Church in Boston, Massachusetts. While there, he considered participating in one of the freedom rides to the South, but ultimately did not go. Activism was strongly discouraged by the church, and his safety was also a concern. Nevertheless, he proudly used the “Black is Beautiful” and “Angela Davis” posters to teach his children to embrace their blackness. His final assignment for the Northeastern Conference was his beloved Emmanuel Temple in Buffalo, New York. After the Attica Correctional Facility riots in 1971, Elder Kibble was invited to have services one Sunday a month and was granted permission to bring a third of his church choir. According to the November 1977 issue of Insight Magazine, they drew the largest crowd of any other group with 200 to 300 men at each service.

Having demonstrated his commitment to the Lord and his capacity for service, Harold was elected to head the Sabbath School Department for Northeastern Conference but accepted a call to the South Central Conference instead. He served first at the Hillcrest Seventh-day Church, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also enjoyed the intellectual challenge of studying the Bible with students from Meharry Medical College. He was then moved to First Church in Huntsville, Alabama where he worked in collaboration with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to provide a 30-plus unit housing development for seniors. While serving in the South Central Conference, he also pastored in Dothan, Alabama; Panama City, Florida and Jackson, Tennessee.

His last call was to the Allegheny East Conference in 1990. His first assignment was to the Liberty Church in Baltimore, Maryland. His first task was to find permanent housing for his homeless church. During this time, he also served as the Baltimore Area Leader. While in Baltimore, he met and married, coworker, Lolethia Jones in 1994. Soon after finding housing for his congregation in a Jewish Synagogue, he was moved to West Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and finally to Grace Temple in Norristown, Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, Harold taught Bible for a semester at Pine Forge Academy. He retired April 30, 2000 after 43 years of service to his Maker.

Harold had a great sense of humor. He was an above average athlete and a fierce competitor, known for playing baseball at Victory Lake Camp Meeting and challenging anyone to a game of ping pong. He was a true animal lover. He loved horses and Siberian Huskies, most. It was a dream come true, when he was blessed with five acres, two horses and a cat.

William Harold Kibble slipped away peacefully, in his home in Disputanta, Virginia, on Sabbath, May 4, 2024.

He leaves to cherish his memory and await the call of the Life-giver: His wife, Lolethia; his three children Michelle, Mark (Liz) and Joel (Tina); his two bonus children Geoy Noble (Ron) and George Morgan III (Patricia); his four grandchildren Chloe, Mark Ryan, Karly, and Aria; his six bonus grandchildren Monique, Korrin, Domonique (Keenan), Fayth, Aeneas and Tobias; his sister Ann Laverne; his two sisters-in-law, Marquita (Herman-deceased), Jewel (Alvin-deceased) and a myriad of other cousins, nieces, nephews and loving friends.

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August 19, 2024

My sincere condolences to the entire family. May Gods peace surround each one of you!

Tanya Vanison Wallace

August 4, 2024

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved former pastor and my dear friend Elder Kibble. When you think of humility, compassion and kindness, you can’t help but think of him. My spiritual walk was increased as a result of his ministry here in Buffalo NY.
I will cling to the blessed hope of one day soon seeing him again. May the family share in the hope of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Jean McNeal

July 24, 2024

I am grateful for the life and ministry of Elder Kibble. He always greeted me so warmly with his loving smile and handshake. I always looked forward to him accompanying his dear wife as she worked in EJA’s school library. I always told him he was the one really “in charge” and that always made him smile. May God cover the entire family with His comfort and love. Lolethia, you are dear to my heart and I love you in a special way. God loves you even more. Jesus is coming soon. Hallelujah! We will see Elder Kibble again.

Renee Humphreys

July 19, 2024

May God Bless the WHOLE ENTIRE FAMILY! Our family was really close. I wish we could CELEBRATE HIS LIFE WITH ALL OF YOU. You will ALWAYS be like Family for all of THE FRAZIER FAMILY.May God Bless Him and Keep Him AMEN❣️❣️❣️

Shani Azubuike (Frazier)

June 23, 2024

5/04/2024

Michelle, Mark, Joel Kibble & The Entire Family
Dear Family:

The members of the Emmanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church in Buffalo, NY were saddened to hear about the passing of Pastor W. Harold Kibble. We want you and the entire family to know that we share in the loss of your beloved father and our beloved former Pastor.

In 1971, Pastor Kibble began to evangelize through tent meetings. He was truly instrumental in leading many to the Lord. His pastoral care and leadership endeared him to the hearts of his congregation. 40 Peckham Street was purchased and became the Dorcas (Community Services) Center. In 1972-73, reconstruction of the church began. His commitment and contributions have not been in vain. In 1976, we bid farewell to the family. While his presence will be missed, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy speaks through his family, who remain, awaiting the second coming of Christ, when we all shall be reunited again.

We offer you some words of comfort from Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

We know that the Lord will sustain you all during this difficult time. Lean on Him and hold firm in your faith.
If we can be of any service to the family, please let us know. We're here to serve. Deepest Sympathy,

Pastor Carlos Blake
And the Emmanuel Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church Family Buffalo, New York

Emmanuel Temple SDA Church - Buffalo, NY

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