Willis O. Agnew Jr. was born on July 8, 1960, to the late Evadell and Willis O. Agnew Sr. He
departed this life on October 5, 2025, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Ms.
He attended the local elementary and high school where he graduated from Baldwyn High
School in 1978 and from Elias Cottrell Theological Institute 2013. He also attended Life
Christian University and received a degree in theology.
Rev. Agnew (Junior) professed a hope in Christ at an early age and he joined the Mt. Zion
Community Church and later he joined Mt. Nebo C.M.E. Church. Then, in 2012, Rev. Agnew
was blessed through the mentoring of his Pastor, Rev. Carl Z. Jones and during this
mentorship, Rev. Agnew received valuable spiritual blessings which led to his call into the
ministry. Also, during this time Rev. Agnew received his local preacher's license at the
Quarterly Conference. After, faithfully serving as a local preacher at Mt. Nebo C.M.E. Church
for several years, the Lord called him to begin preparing himself for Greater work within the
ministry.Therefore, in 2015, Rev. Agnew was admitted on trial as an ordained Local Deacon.
This ordination gave him the credentials: to perform the sacraments of Holy Communion, to
perform weddings, funerals, and other necessary ministerial duties and responsibilities.
Recognizing and nurturing the anointing and calling upon his life, Rev. Agnew accepted his
first pastoral appointment to Jehovah Kireh C.M.E Church in Okolona, MS. This appointment
was bestowed upon him by Bishop Thomas L. Brown at the Annual Conference in July of
2017. After serving with distinction at Jehovah Jireh, he was appointed to Shiloh C.M.E.
Church in Fulton, Ms by Bishop C. James King, Jr., where he currently served as the proud
pastor to some of God's "best" people. Rev. Agnew gives the Lord all the praise and glory for
being the pastor of Shiloh C.M.E. Church. Finally, one of Rev. Agnew's greatest
accomplishments was; He was a "born again Christian" who loved the Lord and doing the
work of the Lord.
Rev. Willis O. Agnew was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister; Priscilla Ragin.
Grandparents, Clyde and Sarah Agnew and Martin and Hattie B. Starks
He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted wife of 41 years, Lesha Grice Agnew; two
daughters: Amber (Talvis) Clifton (Baldwyn, Ms) and Kayla McGaha, (Tupelo, Ms); one

sister: Evon (Jerry) Woodruff (Baldwyn, Ms); one brother Tai Grove ( Booneville, Ms); five-
grandchildren, six-great grandchildren, bothers, and sisters in-law several nieces and nephews

that he loved dearly; and a host of other relatives and friends.