Dr. Legure Buddie Kizzie

Rev. Kizzie was born in LaCrosse South Hill) Virginia, on May 25, 1921. He was one of seven boys and thee girls born to Thomas and Hattie Kizzie. His early life and teens were spent on the family’s farm in LaCrosse, until he decided he wanted to “do something better.”“Buddy” left LaCrosse in 1940 to move to Richmond, Virginia, where he would pave the way for other family members to join him. At any gathering, he can be heard giving an account of how: “I moved and took a job making 25 cents an hour and saved up to move in a place where I could help Lee and Hattie and anybody else come up here.”He completed Armstrong High School and began a brief study at Virginia Union University. During this same time frame, he also sang in a local gospel group and drove 18-wheelers for a living. From a brief marriage, he had two sons, Thomas Legure and Leon Edward Kizzie. It was also at this time he heard the voice calling him to further serve God.On June 18, 1955, he married Mable C. Harris, of Hanover County, Virginia. They bore Carolyn Yvonne, Anthony Legure, Timothy Gaye, Michael Irece, and Denise Aquila Kizzie. One of his more proud accomplishments was that with the help of God and family, he has seen all his children graduate from college and successfully pursue their chosen careers. In May 1966, September 1968, and January 1992, Thomas, Leon and Denise Kizzie (respectively) departed their lives. With God-given strength, he accepted and overcame these losses and continued serving God and family. In 1958, Legure Kizzie was ordained as a Baptist Minister, under the pastorate of Rev. Irece T. Bradley. He accounts that “I fought what I was hearing as long as I could. But when the Lord call you, you’re gonna listen eventually-whether you want to or not.” He briefly served as interim pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland and the Chicago Avenue Baptist Church, of Richmond. In 1959, he accepted pastorate of the St. John Baptist Church in Richmond. He would remain there for 33 years, seeing the church through building new edifices across the street from the original building: significantly increasing the church’s membership’ adding educational wings to the new church; and most importantly, guiding hundreds of souls to Christ. To ensure that he was doing all he could for God, in 1969, he also accepted pastorate of the Swan’s Point Baptist Church in Spring Grove, Virginia, where he remained for 27 years.Legure Kizzie would be the first to tell you “I have a whole lot to be thankful for.” The Lord gave me my family, two good churches and fine people, and my strength.” His trip to the Holy Land, which culminated in the tour bus rolling down a 40-foot cliff and his being a survivor (seven persons were killed), is the perfect testament to his faith. His rendition of Amazing Grace might light the household of outdoors at any given time of the day or night.He received his Doctor of Divinity degree from the Richmond Virginia Seminary of November 3, 1984.Rev. Dr. Kizzie was a member of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity. The most outstanding achievements of the conference during his membership have been the welcoming of many young ministers to the conference and supporting the Lott Carey Foreign Missions. He has held the office of Secretary and served on the sick committee. One of the more recognized phrases throughout the Conference was Rev. Kizzie’s “If I had but one word to say, I would say it for the Lord.Legure Kizzie is also a member of Jonathan Lodge # 112, Free and Accepted Mason, Prince Hall affiliate.Upon his departure, Rev. Kizzie leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Mable Kizzie; daughter Carolyn; three sons, Anthony (wife Janie). Timothy and Michael Kizzie; three grandson, Thomas and Leon Kizzie, Ira Leech; four granddaughters, Kenyana Ellis, Jacenta Wimbish, Jessica Howard and Cierra Kizzie; two sisters, Helen Cannon and Hattie Lester; four sisters-in-law, Gladys Harris, Elsie Richardson, Katherine Davis and Emma Cannon; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Family and friends whose lives he has touched are far too great in numbers to list. Please know that he remembered and kept each one of you in his heart.

Tributes

Dr. Legure Buddie Kizzie

May 25, 1921 - February 24, 2005