Obituaries

Rev. Dr. Cedric D. Pride was born on August 17, 1959 in West Helena, Arkansas to his mother, the late Marva Jean Pride and his father, the late Johnny Feemster. After his mother’s passing at a very young age, he was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Aritha Bailey-Curry.  As a teenager, Rev. Dr. Pride answered the divine calling into the ministry in 1977 and was licensed and ordained by Dr. Arthur Hughes, Jr. at the Greater First Baptist Church in West Helena, AR. In 1979, he graduated from Central High School in West Helena, Arkansas.  Rev. Dr. Pride continued his studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Florida Baptist Seminary in Lakeland, Florida.

In 1984, Rev. Dr. Pride married his first wife, Angela Stewart.  From this union, he was blessed with four children: Shawnta, Estevin, Antonio, and Angelo. During this time, he continued to flourish in his ministry pastoring Pleasant Hill M.B. Church, Poplar Bluff, MO; Silver Cloud M.B. Church, Helena, AR; Traveler’s Rest M.B. Church in Stuttgart, AR; St, Matthews M.B. Church in Columbus, MS; New Mt. Zion M.B. Church in Haines City, FL.  In 2001, Rev. Pride moved to Orlando, FL and pastored at True Vine M.B. Church where he continued his ministry and community outreach.

In 2005, when Rev. Dr. Pride relocated back home to West Helena, he married Ruthie Pride.  From this union, he was blessed with Rico, Marquila, Stephanie and Christopher.  During this time and upon his passing, he pastored King Solomon M.B. Church in West Helena, AR and Gumwood M.B. Church in Ratio, AR.  Indeed, Rev. Dr. Pride’s commitment to God and ministry remained steadfast and unmovable…even until his passing.

During his brief time on this side of heaven, Rev. Dr. Pride used his gifts to generously pour into his church and the community. His love for ministry and people allowed him to serve the kingdom well by bringing more souls to Christ. He effortlessly and humbly walked in his calling serving the community as President of the Missouri Minister’s Alliance; Vice-President of the Butler County Ministerial Alliance; Special Advocate of Phillips, Lee, Monroe Counties; founder of the Community Prayer Breakfast; Rejoice and Word Leader for the University of Arkansas for Medical Science; Vice Moderator at Large for the Phillips, Lee, Monroe, and Desha District Association; Dean of Phillips County Ministerial Alliance; President of State Home and Foreign Mission of the Regular Arkansas Baptist Convention; Leadership Award-World Global Bible Conference; Humanitarian Award- TRBM&E Young People’s Conference and World Global Bible Conference. Rev. Dr. Pride has served as the Dean of the Phillips County Minister Alliance for the past 8 years.

Rev. Dr. Pride was employed by the City of Helena-West Helena. Arkansas. He assisted with many political campaigns, voter registration drives, and served as a mentor and advisor to young ministers.

Throughout the years, Rev. Dr. Pride has received many accolades including a Senate citation from Senator Keith Ingram; the Key to the City of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas; and a Humanitarian Award in which all were well deserved for his contributions to local and state activities. One of his most recent accomplishments was receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Fellowship Bible Institute, Tulsa OK.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marva Jean Pride; father, Johnny Feemster; grandmother, Aritha Bailey-Curry; and son, Cedric Wilson.

Rev. Dr. Pride leaves a devoted and loving wife, Ruthie Pride; one sister, Berenda Pride; children, Shawnta Pride, Estevin Taylor, Antonio (Tyione) Pride, Angelo (Montika) Pride, Jarvis Wilson, Rico (Tiffany) Kones, Marquila Kones, Stephanie (Jamar) Webster, Christopher (Ashley) Kones, thirty-five grandchildren and host of uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.