Pastor Samuel Sledge

Pastor Samuel Sledge departed this life June 26th, 2023, he was born on December 12, 1938, to the late Arthur Lee and Fannie Mae Sledge in Fairhope, Al. They were united marriage to his sweetheart Barbara Sledge in Monticello, NY July 30, 1960, they were married for over 57 years, he couldn’t do anything without Barbara, from the day they were married, they would do everything together. He served faithfully though the years at Greater Bethlehem Temple, Omaha Nebraska, in 1965 he was baptized in the name of Jesus and was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. In 1973 they left Nebraska to return to New York and in the same year Pastor Samuel Sledge accepts an appointment as Deacon at Greater Upperroom Apostolic Church in Middletown, NY. He worked faithfully in the ministry until their journey brought them back to Fairhope where he also served at (Bethlehem Temple Church) Good Samaritan Sanctuary in Fairhope. In 1976 he led the Young Peoples ministry and 10 years later Deacon Samuel Sledge accepted the calling to become a pastor, which he was ordained in 1994. In 1986, his journey takes them to Pensacola Florida where they founded Christ Temple which humbly began it operation in the hope of Sister Dianna Hill. Services were conducted 3 days a week. He rented a small building which they later purchased, and the legacy of Christ Temple still lives on today. After 3 and a half years, their journey takes them to Bromley, Al where they founded Bethlehem Temple. Service was conducted for 12 and a half years. God blessed mightily and this ministry birthed bishops, pastors, elders, district elders and other saints. Although he was already in full-time ministry. Unfortunately, due to age and structural damage, the original building was destroyed, but a new one has been erected and this legacy also lives today. In 2002, Pastor Sledge & Sis. Barbara Sledge leads them back to Fairhope once again where they founded Bethesda Temple Ministries where we are today. They baptized many in Jesus name and many were filled with the holy ghost. Here where Mother Barbara Sledge took a different path and after 57 years of marriage on February 11th, 2018, she went to be with the Lord. Pastor Samuel’s journey continued and decided to take a different role by retiring as full-time pastor of Bethesda Temple Ministries, but never in his commitment to his Lord and Savior Jesus Chris Pastor Samuel Sledge was preceded in death by his wife over 57 years Barbara Sledge his parents, Arthur and Fannie Mae Sledge: brothers, Claude, Arthur Lee, IV, and Frank Sledge, sisters Mildred L Brown and Ruth Darden and a grandchild Gregory Sledge, and a uncle Bishop Leon Williams Pastor Samuel Sledge is survived by his children Calvin Sledge (Lora) of Fairhope Al, Brenda Sledge-Stewart (Pastor Uvie) of Jamestown, NY Oliver Sledge(Patricia) of Milton Fl, Sandy Watts (Kenneth) of Foley Al, a very special grandson that took care of him Jamie Middleton of Fairhope, AL, 12 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Joe (Theresa) Sledge of Fairhope Al, Ruben (Beverly) Sledge, Tampa, Fl, Paul (Joan) Sledge of Daphne Al, Leon (Beverly) Sledge of Spanish Fort Al , and Betty Jackson of Fairhope; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other large extended family, church family and many friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2023, at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 10:00am at First Baptist Church, Fairhope. Interment will be held at Memory Gardens of Fairhope, following funeral service. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD. FAIRHOPE AL. 36532 (251) 990-7775