Lenora Denice McKelvin

LENORA DENICE MCKELVIN was born on March 15, 1954 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington DC to the late Mingo McKelvin and Doris Reese. When Lenora was a child she lived in Weldon, North Carolina with her grandparents, the late Lazis and Carrie Adams. While there she attended St. Peter’s Baptist Church. When Lenora was nine she moved to Washington DC with her mother and stepfather, James Reese, and continued her education in the school system there. As a teenager, she attended Canaan Baptist Church; and it was there that she was baptized. She attended the Virginia Commonwealth University for her postsecondary education; majoring in Journalism. In addition to Journalism, Lenora enjoyed helping people work through issues and found she had the talent and dedication to work in the social sciences industry. As a young adult, she became a Mental Health Counselor and continued this path throughout her career. She worked at various halfway houses and Mental Health facilities; spending 17 years working for Threshold Services. There Lenora helped individuals recover from mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substances use disorders, as a residential rehabilitation counselor. The Lord blessed her with the strength and courage to fight many health battles. When she was no longer able to work in the Mental Health industry, she would have to find some other way to give to others. On November 16, 2005, the Lord led Lenora to the fellowship of believers at Pilgrim’s Way Bible Baptist Church in Baltimore MD; where the Pastor is Revered Raymond L. Thornton. There she gave her life to Christ and was baptized. At Pilgrim’s Way, she cultivated her relationship with the Lord and became very active in ministry. Lenora loved Sunday school and bible study and was always eager to learn as much as she could about Christ and the Christian walk. Even with her health challenges, she served earnestly at the church. And whenever the doors were opened, she was there. Lenora served on several auxiliaries in the church, including the Women’s Cell Group (a women’s bible study group), the Welcoming Ministry, the Culinary Ministry, and the Pastor’s Aid. Lenora visited nursing homes, reading to the residents; ever vigilant in the work of the Lord, until He called her home. Within in the community were Lenora lived, she also made a positive impact. Following her passion for journalism, Lenora wrote a monthly column in a community newsletter and the newsletter for the building where she lived. She would write about whatever was going on and her perspective of it. She opened her home and her heart to many of the residents in the building where she lived She would often prepare meals for several neighbors in the building and donated diabetic medical supplies to individuals in need. She was a loving, caring and compassionate person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a servant’s heart. On Friday, November 12th, the Lord called Lenora home. She was preceded in death by her father Mingo McKelvin, her mother Doris Reese, and her sisters Jacqueline Reese and Nicole McKelvin. She leaves to lovingly cherish her memory; her four sisters, Shelia McKelvin, Sharon Polk (husband William), Natalie McKelvin, and Katrina Depriest-Dark (Husband Lattie); Stepfather, James Reese; nephews, David McKelvin (wife Monja), Walter Depriest III (wife Kareemah); niece, Nicole Griffin (husband Keith); great nephews Ryan McKelvin, Brandon Depriest, Devin Depriest, Braylon Griffin, Simeon Guerrero, DeOnte McKelvin; great niece, Leah McKelvin, Dajiah Depriest, Denay Depriest, Samiria Guerrero; Aunt Hattie Squire (husband Everett) , Uncle Larry Adams (wife Mattie) and a host of other relatives and friends, including her best friend Sister Violet Lindsey

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Lenora Denice McKelvin

March 15, 1954 - November 12, 2010