Pastor Walter Thomas Pryor's Obituary
Pastor Walter Thomas Pryor, was born to the late Deacon Willis G. Sr., and California Pryor on December, 4, 1936 in Villa Ridge, IL. Very early on day, ¬¬¬¬¬February 2, 2025, at 1:17 AM. Walter received a summons from his earthly house, to his mansion in Heaven, where the streets are paved with gold.
Pastor Walter T. Pryor who is affectionately known to his family and friends as “Tom” was educated in the public schools of Jackson, MI, where he graduated from Jackson High School in 1955. Soon after graduation Pastor Pryor began to work at Clark Equipment as a technician. During his tenure at the Clark facility on Falahee Road, Pastor Pryor was allowed to institute a side hustle where he would sell bottles of soda pop to the employees for a fair price during their shift. And because his desire was not to take advantage of the people, the income he made from this venture was just enough to keep the inventory stocked.
In the late 1950’s Pastor Pryor was introduced to this pretty young lady named Roberta, through his sister Doris’ friend Odessa. Odessa happened to be Roberta’s older sister. Well, on June 13, 1960. He married Roberta Cawthon. And to this union three sons were born, Walter Timothy, Rex Darryl and Thomas Corey. Together Tom and Roberta spent many joy-filled years loving each other and raising their family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. They were devout Christians and more than members of Bethesda Church of God In Christ for many years. Together they instilled the idea of working hard for what you want and family unity into their children, teaching them to always take care of one another.
In the mid 1960’s Pastor Pryor answered the call of God into ministry. He was ordained and licensed in the Church of God In Christ. This is when Pastor Pryor’s great ministry would take off. He spent many years traveling around the country and into the foreign countries evangelizing to all that would listen. He was known for the many miracles, signs and wonders that would happen in the revivals he would conduct. He has also been credited for jumpstarting many dormant ministries to become thriving churches.
In the early 1980’s Pastor Pryor, along with his sister Doris and brother Willis “Junior”, opened a small but popular family restaurant named ‘Pryor’s Pleasant’. There you could find some of the finest soul food north of the Mason-Dixon line. Many patrons also enjoyed the deliciousness of the northern style ‘What-a-burger’ which Pastor Pryor designed personally.
The early 1980’s was also a time of transition, for Pastor Pryor’s primary place of employment, Clark Equipment, shut the doors in Jackson and moved to Statesville, NC. Being so close to a full retirement from Clark, Pastor Pryor moved along with them to Statesville to finish his tenure. It so happened that it was there where the expanse of his ministry would grow even more.
Never believing that God’s great power was locked in one church or denomination, Pastor Pryor connected with the fine people of Clark’s Chapel Baptist Church where he would worship. The then Pastor C.B. Mingo, recognizing that he had a jewel in the pews, gave Pastor Pryor free reign to teach the congregants from his wealth of knowledge about the benefits of the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Pryor retired from Clark Equipment in 1992 and he and his then wife, Roberta would move back to Jackson. In 1993, together they founded the Oasis of Love Full Gospel Church. The initial push of the ministry was to capture those who were not going to church, in need of a church or unchurched altogether. Pastor Pryor’s teaching style, which was not as popular amongst his peers, turned out to be what many were looking for, causing the ministry to thrive under his leadership.
In 1999, Roberta Pryor passed away. Pastor Pryor would marry again in 2000 to his current wife, Jacqueline Childers-Pryor. These two lovebirds traveled near and far exploring the beauty of God’s creation. One of their trips to highlight was the trip they took to the Motherland Africa. Pastor Pryor would say that particular trip was life changing. Tom and Jackie would’ve celebrated 25 years of marriage in April of this year.
In March of 2018, Pastor Pryor retired from the rigors of ministering after nearly 30 years as a traveling evangelist and 25 years of pastoring. He turned the reigns of his heart’s passion, the Oasis of Love Full Gospel Church, over to his sons; Lead Pastor Corey Pryor, Assistant Pastor Timothy Pryor, and Minister of Music Rex Pryor. It made his heart glad to know and see his three sons saved, sanctified, full of the Holy Ghost and willing to work in the ministry he started.
Outside of ministry, Pastor Pryor had many joys. He loved watching boxing, football, baseball, basketball, tennis and golf (only when Tiger was playing). He was a very skilled bowler. He was a man of many talents. He was an expert in carpentry and auto mechanics. He loved to cook. His baked hams were seasoned just right. And his homemade pound cake from scratch was “to die for”. Pastor Pryor also LOVED him some ice cream.
It would not take long for anyone talking to Pastor Walter T. Pryor to discover his love for God, his wife, his family, and his church. He was an amazing husband, father, granddad, great granddad, mentor, teacher, pastor, and stalwart of faith in the Jackson community and beyond.
He was preceded in death by his parents Willis G. Sr., and California, his stepmother Flora B. and his two brothers; Alfred (Linda) and Marvin (Ruth); sister, Doris; and beloved son Rex (Denise).
He leaves to cherish fond memories; his wife of nearly 25 years Jacqueline, two sons; Walter Timothy (Rosalind) and T. Corey (Julie); two stepdaughters; Tonjya and Toni, grandchildren, Timmy, Josh, Jashana, Trenton, Jordan, Majik, Chaz, Rex II, Jaelynn, Cierra, and Corey II; great grandchildren; brother Willis “Junior” Pryor, two sisters, Lee Ethel Ellis and Carol Pryor, and a host of nieces and nephew who claim to be his favorites, special friend for over 50 years: Elder Robert Stephens, along with other loving family and friends.
This True Servant of the Most-High God will be dearly missed.
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