HENRY LEE GIDEN

Sept. 4, 1927 - Feb. 28, 2011
SOUTH BEND - Reverend Dr. Henry Lee Giden Sr., founder and long - time Pastor of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church was called from labor to reward at 1:05 a.m., Monday, February 28, 2011, in his South Falcon Street residence. Pastor Giden was blessed with 83 years of life. On September 4, 1927, in Hickman, Kentucky, he was born to the union of Homer and Alice Giden. In 1939, while living in Armorel, Arkansas, he confessed his hope in Christ at the age of twelve.

Shortly thereafter, coming from Blytheville, Arkansas the family relocated to South Bend, Indiana where he attended and graduated from Central High School.

Pastor Giden and Johnnie Porter were united in marriage in South Bend. He served in the military service for two years and seventeen months in Korea. Serving as a sergeant in the Armed Forces of the United States Military Transportation Unit, he received an honorable discharge as Sergeant Henry L. Giden on December 7, 1956. On September 20, 1964, approximately 46 years ago, he received his license to preach the gospel while a member of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, IN under the guidance of Reverend Dave S. Davis. He was ordained into the ministry on August 1, 1966, under the leadership of Reverend White. For seven years he served as a deacon under Reverend A. W. Williams and Reverend Dave S. Davis. Pastor Giden was also vice-president of the senior choir and manager of the gospel group, The South Bend Travelers for ten years.

On February 12, 1970, he obtained a diploma of Christian Education from Central Baptist Theological Seminary where he taught for two years at their extension in Indianapolis, IN. Pastor Giden Sr. acquired his Bachelor of Theology from Central Baptist Theological Seminary on May 23, 1978 and on June 11, 1980; he received his degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the National Theological Seminary College, Baltimore, Maryland. Pastor Giden Sr. worked with various committees in the city of South Bend: was former vice-president and treasurer of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; Northwestern Indiana District Missionary Baptist Association's dean and picnic committee chairperson; minister liaison on the Mayor of South Bend's Onsite Prayer Task Force; and a member of the Indiana Sheriff's Association.

On August 1, 1965, Reverend Giden became pastor Of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist church where he served for 16 years. Pastor Giden Sr. received the following distinguished certificates and awards: Indiana Governor's certificate of appreciation for loyal and faithful service in the United States Armed Forces, April 26, 1954; Local 30-2 award of merit, March 13, 1985; (OIC) Opportunities Industrialization certificate of appreciation, October 26, 1985; Indiana Missionary Baptist State Convention course completion certificate, June 13, 1989; diploma in Christian Education from the National Baptist Sunday Church School and B. T. U. Congress sponsored by the National Baptist Publishing Board in affiliation with the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, June 22, 1990; National Baptist Sunday Church School and B. T. U. Congress course completion certificate, June 14, 1991; S. N. A. P. Productions appreciation plaque, May 1, 1996; recipient of the 2000 Drum Major Award; the 2002 African American Council of Elders "Kwanzaa" Award presented by the South Bend Regional Museum of Art.

Reverend Henry L. Giden Sr. was the proud pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of which he founded in 1982 and faithfully led 22 years until his retirement in 2004 at which time he received the key to the city of South Bend from Mayor Stephen Luecke.

Pastor Giden is survived by a loving and devoted family that includes his wife, Mrs. Johnnie Giden; two daughters, Cacelia Giden-Williams of Conyers, GA and Wanda Parchman of Los Angeles, CA; a special god-daughter, Areara Petty (Avery) Minor, South Bend, IN; three sons, John Williams, Reverend Henry L. (Brenda) Giden Jr. an Reverend Dennis R. (Loretta) Giden, all of South Bend; 14 grandchildren, Tyrie Giden, Timeca Covtee, Dennis R. Giden, Marcus Giden, Lawrence Giden, Seianna Giden, Andrew Giden, Michelle Giden, Sardius Giden, Tina Bracey, Steven Williams, Christopher Parchman, Jarron Parchman and Shavonne Parchman-Williams; 19 great-grandchildren, along with a host of other family members and friends.

Love ones who preceded him in death along with his parents were three grandchildren, Eddie Giden, Joshua Giden and Christian Parchman; sisters, Mattie Mae McNeal, Beatrice Thomas and Pearl Lipsey; and brother John Giden.

Funeral services for Pastor Henry L. Giden Sr. will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2011 at Faith Apostolic Church where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 5 - 7 p.m., at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of condolence may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net c/o The Giden Family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 4, 2011.

01/20/2023 EJS