Kelly, Leontine (1920–)

views updated

Kelly, Leontine (1920–)

African-American bishop. Born Leontine Turpeau, Mar 5, 1920, in Washington, DC; dau. of David De Witt Turpeau (Methodist minister) and Ila (Marshall) Turpeau; Virginia Union University, BA, 1960; Wesley Theological Seminary, 1976; m. Gloster Bryant Current, 1941 (div. 1950s); m. James David Kelly (Methodist minister), 1956 (died 1969); children: (1st m.) Angella, Gloster and John Current; (2nd m.) adopted Pamela Lynne Kelly.

Ordained (1976); served as pastor of Asbury-Church Hill United Methodist Church in Richmond (1977–83); became assistant general secretary of evangelism for United Methodist General Board of Discipleship in Nashville (1983); became United Methodist's 1st African-American bishop when the Western Jurisdictional Conference elected her to the episcopacy (1984); campaigned for end to nuclear arms, AIDS awareness, and wider acceptance of gays and lesbians in the church; retired (1998). Inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame at Seneca Falls, NY (2000).

More From encyclopedia.com