Obituaries

Once upon a time there was a pastor named, Rev. Virgie Amanda Gant and a layman named Bro. CT. Gant. By 1946, this union had produced four daughters: Virgie Lee, Vera Mae, Elva Jean and Verbie June. Sadly, several miscarriages occurred. However, Rev. Virgie Gant was determined to give her husband a “man child.” She had been warned not to have more children but that did not frighten this woman of faith. They prayed for a son. Finally, on April 28, 1947, she gave birth to a beautiful, bouncing baby boy named William Cortelyou Gant.

This baby boy’s journey would prove to be an adventure of a life time. William was in the pulpit in his mother’s womb and after he was born, she would not allow anyone to hold him as she preached the gospel.

She would make a pallet on the floor of the pulpit and lay him there as she proclaimed God’s word. It is not surprising that this little bouncing, baby boy would one day accept Christ at the age of 6, accept his call to preach at the age of 16, and eventually begin his journey as a pastor at the age of 18.

William grew up in an environment where men and women met and demanded better conditions for those less fortunate, that were often over looked and mistreated. He had many friends whom he associated with who added their voices to the call for a better city and county. He would later become a member of the NAACP to support such efforts on a higher level.

He attended West Side Elementary School in West Helena. His love for the teachers and the preparation he received was expressed verbally in the spirit of individuals such as Mr. Roland Buchanan, Mrs. Mable Pettis, Mrs. Lester Johnson and Coach David Ellis Johnson. Coach Johnson impressed William and his friends. They all wanted to become famous with a career in sports. He would go on to become certified to call games as a referee, encouraging boys and girls to take care of themselves as well as a short time in the classroom as a school teacher.  He was a graduate of Eliza Miller High School in 1964 where he was a Golden Buccaneer. William often spoke of Professor C. L. Seaton and was eager to use the skills Professor Seaton taught, in the home, school and professionally.  He would matriculate to Lane College in Jackson, TN and the CME Phillips School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, receiving his Bachelors in Religion and Master of Divinity. While attending Lane College he entered the Ice Cold House of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated via the Theta Tau Lambda Chapter.  Also during his time of service in Tennessee, William was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree for his service in the community and his love for helping and assisting others. His athletic skills of track, basketball and football were recognized by the Helena-West Helena School District when he was admitted into the Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17, 2021.

His 61 years pastoral journey included churches in Arkansas and Tennessee. He was a true servant leader and was admitted into Full Connection in the CME Church in 1969. He led by example and never asked any congregation to do anything that he did not lead out on. Pastor Gant has led congregations in building programs, and was a visionary leader that led congregations in various ministries that would be beneficial to the church and the community. He would tell the congregations, he was blessed to serve, they should always be a beacon light in their community. Being an advocate for children and youth, he would fight for their cause and always wanted the best for their physical and spiritual growth.

Wherever Pastor Gant was appointed to serve, his community involvement was extensive. He served on the school board in Hempstead County, organized an annual city-wide celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while living in Hope, AR, served on the Boards of the White County United Way and Habitat for Humanity, lifetime member of the Unity Auxiliary Organization of Volunteers, Ministerial Alliance, President of the West Side Community Hub, Member of AARP, supported the Retired Teachers Association of Phillips County, Volunteer Chaplain and Auxiliary Member of the Helena Regional Medical Center here in West Helena, AR.

Pastor Gant was blessed and honored to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for his beloved alma mater, Lane College.  Senior Bishop William Henry Graves, Sr. often shared that the vote was unanimous for William Gant to become a Board member. Always wanting to help others, he was instrumental in establishing a scholarship fund for female students at the CME Phillips School of Theology in memory of his mother, as well as initiating an endowment at Lane College in memory of both parents.

August 1994, he met Debora C. Young and wasted no time in making sure she would become his wife. They lived a very blessed life for 32 years, working as a team in the CME Church on all levels, local, district, regional and connectional.

If you wanted to see the largest, brightest smile from Pastor Gant, ask him about his legacy. He loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. They were a source of joy for him. He tried to lead by example and teach them about the same God he loved and served. Pastor Gant was a mentor to many friends of his children as well as younger preachers and pastors. Always in a teaching mode, he was not selfish with the training he had received and only wanted the best for others. Decent and in order was the order of the day for him.

As the sun sets on the lives of loved ones, William was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Virgie & Bro. CT Gant, his father-n-law & mother-n-law, Rev. William R., Sr. & Mrs. Perline Leggette Young; his sisters, Vera Gant Boss (William), Elva Gant Butler and Verbie Gant Walker (Theautis), brother-n-law, O. Dean Young and sister-n-law, Peggy J. Young.

Left to cherish memories of a full and wholesome life are his devoted wife of 32 years, Debora Costella Young-Gant, his oldest sister, Virgie L. Gant-Phillips (Leon, II); Daughters, Kattie Jordan (Elex), Shilana D. Gant, Amanda C. Gant; Sons, Greg Childress, William D. Gant, Sr. (Monique), Cortelyou Gant (Sheila); Grandchildren: Lakeshia Evans (Eric), Latrenda Hill, Lahollis Hill, Raven Bunch (William), Justin Childress (Sarenina), Christiana Childress, Coriano Banks, William D. Gant, Jr., Gavin Gant, Carter Gant, Gabrielle Rose Gant, Malcolm Gant, Devonte Bradley (Jacorah), Shania Gant, Miashia Clark; 19 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren; 1 God daughter, Feebe Armstrong, Sisters-n-law: Lavaughn Young Dunlap, Joyce E. Young Hunt (Carl), Brothers-n-law: Howard L. Young, William R. Young, Jr., (Gwen), Purvis Young, Benjamin Young, Charles Young (Tina), Larry Young (Brenda) many nieces and nephews, cousins, 1st Episcopal District Family, the Pettis Memorial CME Church Family that he served for the last 15 years of his life and many friends in the Phillips County Community.