Superintendent Limmie D. Pulliam, Sr.

Limmie D. Pulliam, Sr. was born March 10, 1935, in Sarepta, Mississippi, the 7 ^th of 8 children born to Howard and Hester Pulliam.

In search of a better way of life, the Pulliams migrated to Missouri in 1941 settling in Steele, Missouri and working as day laborers (chopping beans (big weeding) and chopping and picking cotton).  In 1949, via a family member, he met his wife, Virgie Mary as he lovingly called her. They were married on November 6, 1954, and to this union, 10 children (five boys and five girls) were born.

After Virgie got saved in November 1957, Limmie, out of curiosity, took her to church one night to see what was happening at the “sanctified church”. With a cigarette hanging from his lip and after blowing a puff of smoke in the preacher’s face, he proceeded to go inside to see what was happening.  That night, he accepted Christ as Savior and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues.  He joined the church that night and soon after led all his brothers and his parents to Christ.  He, along with brothers, John Willie, Lelon, Cleveland and friend James McClinton, formed a quartet group and could be found singing and evangelizing throughout the tri-state region of Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Limmie sang and played the guitar.  The brothers (John Willie and Limmie) became known as gospel preachers, prayer warriors and fervent altar workers. They would tarry the altar into the late night, clapping their hands and leading the saints in the songs “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” praise or “I’m on the altar Lord, c’mon and bless my soul.” In 1961, Limmie, under the pastorate of Elder B.B. Gillespie accepted the clarion call to preach the gospel and was soon after appointed the Assistant Pastor of the “sanctified church” in Kennett (later known as Victory Temple COGIC).  He continued to serve as Assistant Pastor under the leadership of Elder Norris T. Pullen and served faithfully until May 1972.  Elder Pulliam was then selected by the late Bishop Columbus Williams to be the Pastor of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Wyatt, Missouri.  Under the leadership of the late Bishop Williams and the late Bishop Charlie Green, Jr, Pastor Pulliam served in numerous capacities on the district and jurisdictional levels including District Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Board, Executive Board, Chairman of Finance and Chairman of the Examination Board.  From 1980 to 2014, He was the District Superintendent of the B.B. Gillespie District. After transferring to the North Dakota Jurisdiction in 2014, Pastor Pulliam continued to serve under the Bishop Michael Cole and after one year as the District Superintendent, Pastor Pulliam was emeritized and graciously served his new Superintendent, Pastor Steve Betts. Pastor Pulliam would go on to serve Faith Temple COGIC for 50 years (until his demise).

For more than 20 years, Superintendent Pulliam worked for Vardell-Striegel as a master mechanic.  In the work community, he was affectionally called L.D. A little-known fact, the D. in his name was not an abbreviation.  The initial was his given name.

He was a man dedicated to God and family. Although he was Holy Ghost filled and fire baptized, He meant what he said and said what he meant.   He didn’t mince words. Superintendent Pulliam was a wonderful husband, and loving father, grandfather, and uncle, and he will be greatly missed.

He was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Hester Pulliam and all his siblings, James, Leander, Lola, John Willie, Lelon, (baby sister), and Cleveland.

To cherish his memories, he leaves his wife of 67 years, Mother Virgie M. Pulliam, of Kennett, Missouri, and 10 children: Clarence Pulliam, LaVan Pulliam, and Laura Pulliam of Kennett, Missouri; Mary Pulliam of Longview, Texas; Tressa Grogan (Ronnie) of Houston, Texas, Sam Pulliam (Ruby) of Ithaca, New York; Michael Pulliam (Lisa) of St. Peters, Missouri; Evelyn Pulliam and Sharon Pulliam of St. Louis, Missouri and Limmie Jr. of Kennett, Missouri. He leaves 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 5 great great-grandchildren and 1 special sister-in-law, Mother Willie Mae Pulliam and a host of nieces and nephews and the Faith Temple COGIC family. As the sole survivor of his siblings and parents, he also became a father figure to his many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 13, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Opportunity Family Outreach Center, 505 West Marshall Street in  Charleston, Missouri.  Friends may call Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 1120 Crawford Street in Kennett, Missouri with Bishop Michael R. Cole officiating.  Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston in charge of arrangements.