Deacon Stovall

John Andrew Stovall was born to his loving parents, Andrew Perry Stovall and Rosie Henderson Stovall on March 2, 1924, in McKamie, Arkansas. He was one of twelve children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his four brothers, Aravine, Augustus, Irone, Lonnie and six sisters, Bertha, Leveda, Blanche, Dorater Rosetta and Shirley. There were two infant children who passed shortly after birth. They were bought up in a Christian home surrounded by loving parents who worked hard to provide for each of them. Education was extremely important to John; he received his formal education in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated from Washington Technical High School. He furthered his education by attending Tucker Business College also located in St. Louis, the University of Denver, Air University, Montgomery, AL, the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and the Development Training Institute in Baltimore, MD. On August 21, 1943, John was inducted in the United States Army. While serving his country, he earned a World War II Victory Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and a American Theater Ribbon. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. On August 2, 1952, John united in holy matrimony to the former Ernestine Mildred Colbert in St. Louis, MO. The couple first met when they both lived in St. Louis. She remembers her husband as a Christian man who was loving and caring. They have traveled to places both oversees and countless places in the United States. They truly enjoyed the special moments shared together. She also remembers her husband as a man who helped others unconditionally. When the song writer penned the words; "If I can help somebody as I travel along then my living shall not be in vain" he must have had John Stovall in mind. At the time of his passing, John and Ernestine had been married 62 years. By profession John was a Financial Manager. In 1951, he transferred to Denver, Colorado from St. Louis, Missouri. This was the start of an illustrious period of devotion to Federal service which would span for over thirty five years. He has served as Deputy Director, Retired Pay Operations at the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center. He was both respected and admired by his co-workers and supervisors for his strong work ethic and attention to details. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, John accepted the Lord as his personal savior when he was very young and attending worship service with his parents. Upon relocating to Denver, Colorado, he became a member of Zion Baptist Church in April of 1951, under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Wendell T. Liggins, He became an ordained Deacon in August of 1954. His servitude to his church has spanned for over sixty years. He has served his church as a Director of the Baptist Training Union (BTU), Superintendent of Sunday School, Chairman of the Finance Committee; member of the Trustee Ministry, Chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, and Chairman of the Zion Redevelopment Committee. He truly enjoyed sharing each year during the church anniversary when the 50 years plus members were honored with a banquet; both he and Sister Stovall were honored for their dedication. He was instrumental in the project which created a ten story senior citizen apartment complex known as Liggins Towers and which is still currently being utilized for senior citizens. He was instrumental in forming a sixty-bed nursing home called Stovall Care Center; he worked until completion of a multipurpose community center currently in operation and known as the Zion Senior Center. In 1982, the Board of Regents presented Deacon Stovall with the University of Colorado Distinguished Service Award. In 1982, Deacon Stovall came out of retirement to aid and assist in the development of the Northeast Denver Housing Center, Inc. This project was started. to help develop affordable housing and homeownership programs that help low and moderate income families have access to affordable homes. This family assistant project is currently in operation in the city and county of Denver. He was also an extremely active in the formation of the Zion United Community Credit Union. He was inducted into the Colorado Credit Union "Volunteer Hall of Fame." Some other civic and community activities include Deacon Stovall serving as Treasurer of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education serving for five National Baptist Congress, Presidents and four National Convention Presidents. He was presented the "Trusted Servant Award" during the National Congress Session. He also received a 9 Who Cares Award for his dedication to service. The difference that one person can make is clearly discernible in reading the accomplishments of this gentle, quiet Christian man, whose legacy is far reaching. To God Be The Glory. He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew P. and Rosie Stovall; siblings, Bertha Hyde, Deacon Aravine Stovall, Leveda Campbell, Deacon Augustus Stovall, Dorater Lawson, Irone Stovall, Rosetta Peppers, Blanche Patterson, and Lonnie B. Stovall. A collection of your memories, precious times enjoyed together; keepsakes of the heart that remain with us forever. Deacon John A. Stovall departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on Thursday, March 26, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Ernestine M. Stovall of Denver, Colorado; his daughter, Sandra LaVerne Fowler of Las Vegas, NV; his sister, Shirley Williams of Oakland, CA; 3 grandchildren, Annise E. Bryan White, Reginald J. Fowler and John A. (Tanya) Fowler all of Las Vegas, NV; 12 great grandchildren; 3 sister-in-laws, Helen Haymon Stovall, Oakland, CA, Mary Ethel Dixon, Sacramento, CA, Juanita Colbert, New York, NY and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many, many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 4/3/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 4/4/2015 at 11:00 AM - Zion Baptist Church - 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: Entombment Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO