Deaths Due to Covid-19 – Church Crime Information

Churches have lost an extraordinary number of leaders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A few such deaths occurred in the early stages before the magnitude of the threat was understood, but the vast majority took place after the threat was well-known.

Pastors not only put themselves at risk, but undoubtedly led to the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, as they down-played the epidemic and drew their followers into super-spreader gatherings. Was it arrogance, political grandstanding, or just plain greed? A conflict of interest, many victims willed money to their church. How many parishioners felt obligated to follow their leaders, like those compelled to follow Rev. Jim Jones of the People’s Temple of Jonestown, Guyana.

This is not a census of all cases. One denomination reported they had lost over 30 pastors, but no list of names were available. Many additional cases are expected to be added in the future.

2021 – New Canney Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, MS. Earnest Slaughter (pastor) died of Covid. His adult children said, “I thought it was just game. I thought it was a game. Now, I see that it’s nothing to play with.” ‘I am going to miss the laughs:’ Children of pastor who died of COVID-19 remember their father.
2021 – New Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ, Chattanooga, TN. James Scott (pastor) died of Covid. Pastor dies of COVID-19 complications, one day after wife’s passing.
2021 – Collierville United Methodist Church, Collierville, TN. David Atkinson (pastor) died of Covid. Collierville pastor dies after battle with COVID-19, church says.
2021 – Johnson Road Baptist Church, Purcell, OK. Wayne Brown (pastor) died of Covid-19. Purcell church ransacked just days after pastor dies due to COVID-19.
2021 – New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Macon, GA. Bryant Wardell Raines (pastor) died of Covid-19. Prominent Macon pastor, community activist dies from COVID-19 complications.
2021 – Greater Praise Church of God in Christ, Milwaukee, WI. Jerome Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. Although he had just received a vaccine, he was not fully immunized (takes 29 days). He was only at about two weeks. ‘A true champion and a very good man’: Milwaukee pastor Jerome Smith, who co-founded well-known jobs program, dies from COVID-19.
2021 – Union Grove Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Ken Harris (pastor) died of Covid-19. “I don’t believe it is Covid since I had it in August. I have felt it was the flu.” Shortly prior to his death, he posted an update saying, “My first case was mild, this one has knocked me off my feet.” Community mourns loss of beloved minister to COVID-19.
2021 – Highland Park Southern Baptist Church, Topeka, KS. Doyle Pryor (pastor/singer) died of Covid-19. Topeka pastor who also was singer-songwriter dies Tuesday from COVID-19.
2021 – Rocky Hill Baptist, Statesville, NC. Gary Jennings (pastor) died of Covid-19. He was in a county deemed to have “critical community spread.” N.C. pastor dies after a ‘hard battle’ with COVID-19, served rural churches for decades.
2021 – Faith Baptist Church, LaGrange, GA. Charles Chapman (pastor) died of Covid-19. “If he was here today, he would tell us this was God’s plan…He would not waver from that. He would say you guys stop all this nonsense let’s get on and move on.” A true hero of faith: LaGrange pastor and chaplain dies from COVID-19.
2021 – New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD. David Tyrone Gilmore (pastor) died of Covid-19. David Tyrone Gilmore, pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, who had been a city correctional officer, dies.
2021 – Macedonia Baptist Church, Kansas City, KS. Michael “Grizzy” Griswold (youth pastor) died of Covid-19. Popular teen pastor who died of COVID-19 remembered.
2021 – Pillar of Truth Bible Church, Capitol Heights, Washington, DC. Anthony “Tony” Lee (pastor) died of Covid-19. “Please pray for us and for one another that we may be healed,” he wrote. “The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avails much!!” Pillar of the community dies of COVID-19.
2021 – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, San Francisco, CA. Bob Stein (priest) died of Covid-19. “Sts. Peter and Paul was one of several churches named in a cease-and-desist letter from San Francisco City” after defying the city order prohibiting indoor worship services. Priest at Bay Area Catholic church that flouted public health orders dies of COVID-19.
2021 – First Institutional Baptist Church, Valley, AZ. Larry Smith (minister) died of Covid-19. He served as a hospice chaplain for people dying of Covid. “They help people to die peacefully, and in a spiritual atmosphere.” He reportedly became infected after visiting a patient who was not wearing a mask, a practice that is known to spread Covid. Local hospice chaplain dies of COVID-19 after visiting coronavirus patients.
2021 – Crenshaw Christian Center, Los Angeles, CA. Frederick K.C. Price (televangelist) died of Covid-19. According to his son, “Coronavirus is just another notch on their belts.” Prominent US megachurch pastor dies after contracting Covid-19.
2021 – Frazier Church, Montgomery, AL. Wayne Sigler (pastor) died of Covid-19. Frazer music minister dies after hospitalization for COVID-19.
2020 – Light Full House Gospel Prayer Ministry, Brooklyn Park, MN; Faith Embassy Church in Robbinsdale, MN. Larrydean Salome Wright Goodridge (pastor) died of Covid. She had also been working as a healthcare worker. Brooklyn Park pastor who died of COVID-19 remembered as a caring mother and healthcare worker.
2021 – Seasons Church, Prattville, AL. Joey Fine (pastor) died of Covid-19. He led the effort to protect his church from Covid including installing hand sanitizer [Covid is airborne] but was himself infected along with several other church members. Joey Fine, Prattville pastor and Autauga Academy football team chaplain, dies of COVID at 48.
2021 – Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, AL. Fred Wolfe (pastor) died of Covid-19. Longtime Mobile pastor Fred Wolfe dies of COVID-19 complications.
2021 – Jacksonville Heights Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL. Hugh Patterson (worship pastor) died of Covid-19. Jacksonville Worship Pastor dies of COVID-19. Facebook: KaileyATracy, video.
2021 – Resurrection Life Ministries church, Columbia, SC. Terry Barrett (pastor) died of Covid-19. He was a former police investigator. COVID stole Columbia pastor, chaplain’s life suddenly, but ‘he fought the good fight’.
2021 – St. James the Just, Ogden, UT. Reynato Rodillas (priest) died of Covid-19. Catholic priest in Utah dies after testing positive for coronavirus.
2021 – Verse By Verse Fellowship, San Antonio, TX. Steve Armstrong (pastor) died of Covid-19. Northeast Side church mourning pastor after COVID-19 claims his life.
2020 – Concord Missionary Baptist Church, Batesville, MS. Christopher Townsend, Sr. (pastor) has died of Covid-19. Batesville pastor dies after COVID diagnosis.
2020 – New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, Chesterfield, VA. Gerald O. Glenn (bishop) died of Covid. He had defied social distancing and “vowed to keep preaching ‘unless I’m in jail or the hospital.’” Pastor Who Defied Social Distancing Dies After Contracting Covid-19, Church Says.
2020 – St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Esko, MN. Jeff Walther (pastor) died of Covid. “They now hope others will take the disease more seriously, if they didn’t before.” Beloved pastor from Esko dies from COVID.
2020 – Christ Lutheran Church, Faribault, MN. Craig Breimhorst (retired pastor) died of Covid. Faribault pastor dies from COVID-19 complications. His living will indicated he wanted “to fall back into the arms of Jesus.”
2020 – Water of Life Community Church (mega church), Fontana, CA. Bob Bryant (associate pastor) died of Covid. The church was violating a state order prohibiting indoor church services when the pastor was infected. He was intubated prior to his death. Coronavirus: California megachurch associate pastor dies from COVID-19 complications.
2020 – Central Baptist Church, (Alabama Baptist Convention, past president), Trussville, AL. Dewey Corder (pastor) died of Covid on Christmas Day. Former state Baptist president, Trussville pastor, dies of COVID-19.
2020 – Texas-based Endtime Ministries, TX. Irvin Baxter (pastor) died of Covid-19. He “hailed coronavirus as a “privilege” and a “wake-up call” for sinners, particularly those who engage in sex outside of marriage.” Texas pastor who hailed coronavirus as ‘privilege’ and ‘wake-up call’ for fornicators dies from disease.
2020 – Fulton Bridge Baptist Church, Marion, AL. Mike Stancil (pastor) died of Covid-19. “At one point, Pastor Stancil felt it was no longer safe to hold services in the sanctuary so he moved services outdoors.” According to the church secretary, “several members contracted the virus. All of them survived” and she expected the pastor would survive too. Marion Co. pastor dies after battling COVID-19 for six weeks.
2020 – Westview Christian Church, Campbellsburg, IN. Jim Applegate (pastor) died of Covid-19. Several members of their family were infected, and three died. His son said, “This virus is serious and there was a time when I didn’t think it was and it is.” ‘This virus is serious’ | Southern Indiana pastor, his mother, and sister die from COVID-19 in one week.
2020 – St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND. Jeffrey Wald (priest) died of Covid-19. Jamestown church pastor dies of COVID-19 complications, diocese announces.
2020 – Hill Street Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Gregory Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. Beloved pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church dies from COVID-19 complications.
2020 – Shiloh Church of God in Christ (music minister); Laugh Out Loud Church, McKinney, TX. Fred Thomas (pastor) died of Covid-19. Before he died, the “family says they believe in faith and miracles, and they leave it in God’s hands.” Beloved McKinney Pastor, Fred Thomas, Dies After Battle With COVID-19.
2020 – First United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, OK. Nicholas Harris (former pastor) died of Covid-19. He fell ill after attending a noon Bible study, in spite of Covid. Beloved Metro Pastor Nicholas Harris Dies Of COVID-19.
2020 – Edgewood Baptist Church, Columbus, OH. Andy Merritt (pastor) died of Covid-19. Longtime Columbus pastor Andy Merritt dies from COVID-19 complications.
2020 – Street & Internet preacher, Gretna, VA. Landon Spradlin (street preacher) died of Covid-19. “Even as he was sick, he posted on social media about “hysteria” surrounding the virus, and suggested the media was just attacking Trump. On the 13th of March Pastor Spradlin shared on Facebook a misleading post comparing swine flu and coronavirus deaths.” Coronavirus: Pastor who decried ‘hysteria’ dies after attending Mardi Gras.
2020 – Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Houston, TX. Vickey Gibbs (associate pastor) died of Covid-19. The progressive pastor was in a lesbian marriage, and commonly focused on eliminating racism. Texas pastor dies of Covid-19 a month after giving sermon on the virus’ impact on her community.
2020 – River of Life Church, Mission, TX. Adolfo Alvarado Jr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. A South Texas chaplain prayed with his hospice patients: Then the coronavirus came for him.
2020 – Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Ama, LA. Kendall Rene Pierre, Sr (pastor) died of Covid-19. ‘He was a special guy’: Community mourns the loss of pastor, community pillar.
2020 – Bountiful Love Ministries Church of God, Flint, MI. Robert E. Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. Flint-area bishop, pastor die from COVID-19.
2020 – Church of God in Christ, Detroit, MI. Robert L. Harris (pastor) died of Covid-19. Covid-19 has killed multiple bishops and pastors within the nation’s largest black Pentecostal denomination.
2020 – Church of God in Christ, Detroit, MI. Paul E. Hester Sr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. Church of God in Christ Denomination Hit Hard by COVID-19.
2020 – Jones Memorial Church of God in Christ, Detroit, MI. Leon Richard McPherson Sr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. COVID-19 Claims Lives of Local and National Faith Leaders.
2020 – Life of Faith Community Center, Los Angeles, CA. Anthony Pigee, Sr (bishop) died of Covid-19. COVID-19 Claims Lives of Local and National Faith Leaders.
2020 – First Baptist Church, Asbury Park, NJ. Joseph Atiles (pastor; chaplain) died of Covid-19. He loved coaching boys in little league baseball. According to a family friend, “he poured everything into those kids.” ‘A constant giver’: Beloved Asbury Park pastor, father of 7, dies after COVID-19 battle.
2020 – Old Friends Missionary Baptist, Chicago, IL. Keith Burgess (pastor) died of Covid-19. He originally dismissed his symptoms, but was soon on a respirator. South Side pastor dies from COVID-19.
2020 – Fulton Bridge Baptist church, Hamilton, AL. Michael Stancil (pastor) died of Covid-19. “The church made changes during the pandemic to adhere to guidelines. Stancil would stand on the front steps and preach to the congregation in the parking lot.” He died just after Christmas at the age of 49. Hamilton pastor dies after 6-week battle with COVID-19.
2020 – Crestwood Baptist, Crestwood, KY. Jeff Fuson (pastor) died of Covid-19. Since the pastor’s hospitalization, they “switched back to having Sunday services online in an abundance of caution.” Beloved Oldham County pastor dies from COVID-19, family says.
2020 – Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, MD. Harry R. Jackson (bishop) died of Covid-19. This pastor advised then President Trump and participated in what was described as a “super-spreader event” at the White House in honor of Supreme Justice Barrett’s nomination. He also was opposed to same-sex marriage. Bishop Harry Jackson, Black Conservative Pastor Who Advised Trump, Dies.
2020 – Little Flower Catholic Church, El Paso, TX. Jose Luis Garayoa (pastor) died of Covid-19. A photograph provided by the Diocese of El Paso shows him happily cheek-to-cheek with a young African boy. El Paso Pastor dies from COVID-19 complications.
2020 – St. Joseph the Worker Church, Wheeling, IL. Jerzy “George” Gawlik (priest) died of Covid-19. “All of the children wanted to go to confession with Father Gawlik.” Wheeling Pastor Dies From COVID-19 Complications.
2020 – Calvary Church (Assemblies of God), Naperville, IL. Angel Escamilla (priest) died of Covid-19. Naperville church pastor dies a week after contracting COVID-19.
2020 – Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Ellensburg, WA. Andrea Bowman (priest) died of Covid-19. She became the first resident of her county to die of Covid-19, dying on Palm Sunday. Longtime Kittitas County pastor dies of COVID-19 complications.
2020 – St. Peter Catholic Church, Mount Clemens, MI. Michael Cooney (priest) died of Covid-19. Longtime Metro Detroit priest dies after COVID-19 diagnosis.
2020 – Central Baptist Church, Conway, AR. Maggie Chandler (woman’s minister) died of Covid-19. She was an administrative assistant to conservative Republican Governor, Mike Huckabee. She died in December at which point the church stopped having in-person worship services. Twenty-five members of her congregation tested positive for Covid. Her daughter was in ICU with Covid. Her church had resumed in-person services in May of 2020. Conway church pastor’s wife dies of COVID-19, daughter still fighting virus in ICU.
2020 – Unidentified church, AR. William “Bill” Barton (church greeter) died of Covid-19. Thirty-four church members were infected. Coronavirus: 91-year-old church goer dies after pastor hosted service that infected 34.
2020 – Biloxi River Baptist Church, Biloxi, MS. Allen Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. Upon his death, the church immediately suspended in-person services. Many church members became infected. One church member said, “Now, it’s hit home. This ain’t close to home, this is home. This took our pastor.” ‘Now it’s hit home’ Mississippi church hit by COVID-19 prepares to bury pastor, reverts to online services.
2020 – Cup Creek General Baptist Church, Velpen, IN. Jeff Crowe (pastor) died of Covid-19. He loved children and worked in the school system. “Children energized him.” Local pastor, EVSC employee who ‘thrived to help people’ dies of COVID-19.
2020 – St. Andrew Catholic Church, Moore, OK. Clyde Grover (deacon) died of Covid-19. Catholic archdiocese deacon dies of COVID-19.
2020 – Bethany AME Church, Yonkers, NY. Scott Elijah (pastor) died of Covid-19. COVID-19: Pastor From Westchester Who Worked For MTA Dies From Virus.
2020 – The Calvary Church of Naperville, Naperville, IL. Angel Escamilla (pastor) died of Covid-19. Church staff allegedly been instructed not to tell anyone of her positive Covid test result. After the pastor’s death, the church tried forcing staff to sign a legal waiver holding the church harmless in the event of a Covid infection. After Pastor Dies of COVID-19, Embattled Church Requires Staff to Sign Liability Waiver.
2020 – St. Matthew Catholic Church, Arlington, TX. Alejandro Hernandez Garcia (priest) died of Covid-19. Several other priest were infected but survived. The church described careful Covid precautions, operating with in-person services at no more than 50% maximum capacity. Arlington priest dies after being hospitalized due to COVID-19.
2020 – Heritage Memorial Church, Washington, OH. Bruce Morrison (pastor) died of Covid-19. Beloved pastor passes away.
2020 – New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Detroit, MI; Church of God in Christ (General Board), Memphis, TN. Philip Aquilla Brooks, Jr. (bishop) died of Covid-19. COVID-19 has killed several bishops and pastors within Church of God and Christ, headquartered in Memphis.
2020 – Church of God in Christ (General Board), Memphis, TN. Nathaniel Wells (bishop) died of Covid-19. He was the First Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Northeast Michigan Prelate. COVID-19 has killed several bishops and pastors within Church of God and Christ, headquartered in Memphis.
2020 – St. James Temple Church of God in Christ, Clarksdale, MS. Timothy Titus “Tony” Scott (bishop) died of Covid-19 after possibly exposing 300 people to Covid at a funeral service in late March. He was reportedly sick prior to the funeral after having just returned from a foreign country. Mississippi COGIC leader dies after testing positive for coronavirus.
2020 – Pentecostal House of Praise, Hickory, NC. Wade McArthur Danner (chief apostle) died of Covid-19. North Carolina pastor dies of COVID-19 after a life spent saving souls, brother says.
2020 – Iglesia El Buen Samaritano (The Good Samaritan Church), Burley, ID. Rogelio Fernandez Sr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. His wife said, “I never thought I was going to lose him.” ‘I really thought I was going to bring him home.’ Burley pastor dies from COVID-19.
2020 – St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN. Donnell Cobbins Jr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. He was a black businessman and also served on the Blight Authority of Memphis. Memphis civic leader Donnell Cobbins dies from COVID-19 infection.
2020 – Taylor University, Upland, IN. Herbert Nygre (retired pastor) died of Covid-19. He was a retired pastor of religion. Formidable professor, amiable pastor.
2020 – Friendship Baptist Church, Riverhead, N.Y. Alvin Charles McElroy (pastor) died of Covid-19. Pastor Alvin Charles McElroy, 79, a pillar of Flanders community, dies of coronavirus.
2020 – Saint Gabriel Church, East Elmhurst, Queens, NY. Gioacchino Basile (pastor) died of Covid-19. East Elmhurst Priest is Latest Victim of COVID-19.
2020 – Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church, Lansing, MI. David Ford (pastor) died of Covid-19. Lansing’s Rev. David Ford dies from COVID-19, remembered as a ‘gentle giant’.
2020 – Bountiful Love Ministries, Flint, MI. Robert Earl Smith Sr. (bishop) died of Covid-19. Flint community mourns loss of bishop, pastor, preacher due to COVID-19.
2020 – Bountiful Love Ministries, Flint, MI. Kevelin B. Jones (pastor) died of Covid-19. Flint community mourns loss of bishop, pastor, preacher due to COVID-19.
2020 – New St. Luke Baptist Church, Detroit, MI. Nathaniel Slappey Sr. (pastor) died of Covid-19. Inseparable in life, Detroit pastor and his son die days apart of COVID-19.
2020 – Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ, MI. Freddie Brown (pastor) died of Covid-19. Church elder’s son dies from coronavirus 3 days after he does.
2020 – Greater Mitchell Temple Church of God in Christ, Detroit, MI. Willie Mae Sheard (women’s pastor) died of Covid-19. Mother Willie Mae Sheard, COGIC leader, dies from complications of the coronavirus.
2020 – Mighty Wind Worship Center, Waco, TX. Marshall Lopez (pastor) died of Covid-19. Beloved Waco pastor passes away after battle with COVID, but his ministry lives on.
2020 – Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Houston, TX. Donnell Kirchner (priest) died of possible Covid-19 infection. Church had reopened for in-person services in May after which the pastor died and at least five members tested positive for Covid. Texas church closes after priest dies, members get coronavirus.
2020 – Macedonia Baptist Church, Harlem, NY. Isaac Graham (pastor) died of Covid-19. Beloved Harlem pastor dies of coronavirus.
2020 – Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN. Tim Russell (associate pastor) died of Covid-19. Associate pastor of Second Presbyterian Church dies of COVID-19.
2020 – New Vision Community Church, Shreveport, LA. Ronnie Hampton (pastor) died of Covid-19. Well known pastor dies following coronavirus complications.
2020 – Palmer Grove Baptist Church, Burke County, GA. Jerry J. Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. Local pastor dies after battling coronavirus outbreak at church.
2020 – Mount Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem, NY. Johnnie Green (pastor) died of Covid-19. Before dying the pastor said, “”I believe that we’re going to come out stronger,” Green said Tuesday. “We know that all things work together for the good to them that love God.” At least 10 other church members have died to Covid. Harlem church mourning 11 members who died from COVID-19.
2020 – First Church of Love and Faith, Chicago, IL. Lucius Hall (archbishop) died of Covid-19. Archbishop Lucius Hall of Chicago’s First Church of Love and Faith dies after contracting coronavirus.
2020 – Christ Temple Christian Life Center, Louisville, KY. Michael Ford Sr. (senior pastor) died of Covid-19. Pastor of western Louisville church dies after contracting the coronavirus, trustee says.
2020 – Greater New Bethel Holiness Church, Martinsville, VA. Mark Price (pastor) died of probable Covid-19. The Public Health officer stated that, “Members have gotten sick, and people were attending without proper precautions — masks and social distancing.” According to the Vice-Mayor this church “had more than 59 members to test positive for the coronavirus, and 15 of them were hospitalized.” Longtime pastor of outbreak-riddled Martinsville church apparently has died of COVID-19.
2020 – Wesley, and Saint Peter’s Methodist Church, Conway, AR. Norman Moyer (pastor) died of Covid-19. He was known for his “clown” ministry. Beloved Arkansas pastor dies from COVID-19, wife asks public to take precautions.
2020 – North Swan Baptist Church, Tucson, AZ. Gary Marquez (pastor) died of Covid-19. He was on a ventilator for one week before dying. Tucson pastor dies from COVID-19.
2020 – Christ Apostolic Church International, Portland, OR. Clint Barnes (pastor) died of Covid-19. Coronavirus takes the life of area pastor.
2020 – Sixth Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL. Michael Johnson (pastor) died of Covid-19. ‘God used him in a great way’: COVID-19 claims Pensacola pastor Michael Johnson.
2020 – New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, Florissant, MO. Carl Smith (pastor) died of Covid-19. He is also a former St. Louis Police Department detective. ‘He fought a good fight and he finished the race!’ Florissant pastor dies from COVID-19.
2020 – Christ Cathedral (formerly known as Crystal Cathedral), & Hour of Power (broadcast), Garden Grove, CA. Lawrence Wilkes (pastor) died of Covid-19. Former Crystal Cathedral pastor Lawrence Wilkes dies from coronavirus.
2020 – Holman Street Baptist Church, Houston, TX. Manson B. Johnson, III (pastor) died of Covid-19. Well-known Third Ward pastor dies from COVID-19, family says.
2020 – Desert Reign Church, Downey, CA. Alex Bernard (outreach pastor) died of Covid-19. Downey pastor dies one week after he’s diagnosed with coronavirus.
2020 – New Traveler’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, MS. Winfield Bracey (pastor) died of Covid-19. Jackson pastor dies from COVID-19.
2020 – Faith, Hope and Love Worship Center, East Baton Rouge, LA. Robin Hardy (pastor) died of Covid-19. She spend her last days on a ventilator and died at age 56. Family, church community remember beloved pastor who died from COVID-19.
2020 – Metro Pentecostal Church, Tulsa, OK. Merle Dry (pastor) died of Covid-19. Tulsa pastor first person to die of coronavirus in Oklahoma.
2020 – Neptune Baptist Church, Neptune Beach, FL. Tom Bary (associate pastor) died of Covid-19. Neptune Baptist Church pastor dies after battle with COVID-19.
2020 – First Baptist Church, Sisseton, SD. Wilbert Robertson (retired pastor) died of Covid-19. Rev. Wilbert Robertson, Native American Pastor, Dies at 86.
2020 – Christian Worship Hour, Aberdeen, SD. Harold E. Salem (pastor) died of Covid-19. Harold Salem Dies After Dec. 3 Hospitalization with Coronavirus and Pneumonia.
2020 – Missouri Valley Christian Church, Missouri Valley, Iowa. Kenneth A. Fairbrother (pastor) died of Covid-19. Hennessey Funeral Home: Pastor Kenneth A. Fairbrother.
2020 – St. Luke Baptist Church, St. James, LA. Leon Franklin (pastor) died of Covid-19. St. James Parish pastor first person in Baton Rouge area to die from coronavirus.
2020 – Unidentified church, Kansas City, MO. Billy Birmingham (pastor) died of Covid-19. He worked for the Kansas City Fire Department as a paramedic who died in the early days of the pandemic. Family of Billy Birmingham remembers fallen KCFD EMT.
2020 – St. Brigid Catholic Church, Wyckoff Heights, New York, NY. Jorge Ortiz-Garay (priest) died of Covid-19. He was the first known priest to die of Covid in the United States. Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, First Catholic Priest in US to Die of Coronavirus.