Callender Funeral Home
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1925 - 2004
 On May 21, 1925 God sent a blessing in the form of a son to Opal and Alberta Surrett. Alfonzo King Surrett was born in Claysburg, Pennsylvania, it was there that he received his early education and religious training. Following his graduation from High School he answered the call of his nation and was inducted into the U.S. Army serving in WWII where he received the Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar and the WWII Victory medal. Always looking for adventure, after his tour of duty he moved to Carthage, Arkansas. In 1948 he married the former Geraldine Edwards, and to this union 7 children were born. Geraldine preceded “A.K” in death in September of 1983. In his early adult years “King” expressed his great love for singing and sang with the “Golden Bells Quartet”, “The Wondering Five” and the “Son’s of the Holy Land” Not only was his love for gospel music expressed through singing, but also in the promotion of gospel singing. Through Herald Attractions, of which he was the promoter, he was able to work with and promote Quartets that had at one time members such as: Lou Rawls, Sam Cook, Johnny Taylor, Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar, and the Rev. James Cleveland. In addition to singing in quartets, he also sang in the choirs of the Bethel Baptist Church and the New Zion Baptist Church, both of Rockford, Illinois. On march 14, 1960 A.K. Surrett saw a vision and accepted the Divine call to the ministry. On June 5, 1960 Alfonzo King Surrett, Sr. preached his first sermon. “The Danger in Gazing”. Moving to Beloit, Wisconsin Rev. Surrett served as the Associate Minister of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of Rev. Clevant Derrick, who was the author of “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” one of Rev. Surrett’s favorite hymns. On July 17, 1961 he was called to the pastorate of the Union Baptist Church, Bloomington, Illinois, and accepted the call on July 23, 1961 he served Union until 1967 when he accepted the call of The Greater Saint James Baptist, Indianapolis, Indiana. Serving Greater Saint James faithfully for six years, until he accepted the call of The Saint James Baptist Church of Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1973. In 1974 Rev. Surrett was part of an Evangelistic Team, called “Hands Across the Sea,” that spent 17 days in Africa at which time 969 souls were converted and baptized. In 1974, he was a speaker at the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas. Rev. Surrett’s religious training was obtained from the Pioneer Theological Seminary, Rockford, Illinois; the Chicago Baptist Institute, Chicago, Illinois; the Pilgrim Baptist Theological seminary, Altoona, Pennsylvania; and the Houston Theological Institute, Houston, Texas, where he received his Doctorate of Theology Degree on April 20, 1975. In 1977, he was a guest in the White House where he received a commendation in the congressional Record of the United States from President Jimmy Carter. On January 11,1986, Dr. Surrett was united in marriage to the former Diana Jackson of Johnstown, Pennsylvania to this union two sons were born. In the same year Dr. Surrett was sent by God to pastor the Sixteenth Street Missionary Baptist Church, Huntington, West Virginia. He brought a new beginning to the church, “The Church Where Everybody is Somebody.” Through his energetic and ambitious leadership, the church gained a son in the ministry – Rev. Gilbert Braxton. The church also ordained four deacons – Ronald Shackelford, Willie F. Kates, Jr., Robert Johnson, Jr. and John Page.
Dr. Surrett was actively involved in many religious and civic organizations, until his health begin to fail. The Huntington Black Ministerial Alliance, Mount Olivet Ministers and Deacons Union, The Evangelistic Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., NAACP, Cabell County Planning Commission and advisor on the Board of Human Services. Dr. Surrett was preceded in death by two sons; Gerald Ogden and Emmanuel Lee.
He leaves to continue his legacy of love, His devoted wife of 18 years Diana. Four sons; Alfonzo King, Jr. (Debra) of Chicago, IL, Clifford, Sr. (Phyllis) Falls Church, VA. Mark Indianapolis, IN. Steven of Huntington, WV. Three Daughters: Cassandra (Kilpatrick) Dartis, Indianapolis, IN., Maliea Britt and Clydonna Surrett both of Indianapolis, IN. 12 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren, a host of other relatives, friends and his loving Sixteenth Street Baptist Family. Funeral services will be Friday, February 6, 2004 11:00am at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church with Pastor Alfonzo K. Surrett, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 10am - 2pm at Callender Funeral Home and from 4pm - 8pm at the church where the family will recieve friends from 6 - 8pm. The care and services for Rev. Dr. Surrett have been intrusted to Callender Funeral Home, Huntington, WV.
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There are currently 4 condolences.
Mekalah Stephens
Wednesday May 9, 2012 at
8:14 PM
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Grandpa , I Really Didnt Know You That Well And I Was Only 7 When You Passed But What I Do Know Was That Your Passing Brought Great Pain To Me And All Of The Rest Of The Family.. You Were A GREAT MAN Of God And To Your Family .. You Will Be GREATLY MISSED! Love You Always :) -Mekalah!
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Lance
Tuesday November 1, 2011 at
12:40 AM
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If My Son, your great grandson, grows up to be half the man you are I will leave this earth with a smile on my face. Pops, thanks you for all you instilled in your family, the community and the world. With that said I am still amazed at the impact you continue to have in the lives of so many now that you're gone. That to me is the measure of true success. I am proud to be the grandson of one of the most successful Angels of God to walk this earth... I love you and I miss you, Lance.
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A'Ricka
Tuesday June 20, 2006 at
11:43 AM
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Pau-Pau, I really don't think it's kicked in yet that you're gone from us. Maybe, its because in our hearts and minds you're still here. I am having another great-grandchild of yours and this time its a boy! God is Good!!
That is something that you always taught us. I thank God that you an Granny raised your family to know that family and God is all you really have. I am grateful that you taught us to love each other the way Christ loves and not based on the way that we feel at the momemt. You were/and still are a great Man of God and I can't wait to see you and Granny again! I love you Pau-Pau! See you later! LUV Re-Re
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MALIEA
Flowers_2_2002@yahoo.com
Wednesday February 11, 2004 at
2:42 PM
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DADDY, I WILL MISS YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.IT'S BEEN HARD TRYING TO ADJUST TO KNOWING I CANT TALK TO YOU ANY MORE LISTNING TO YOUR JOKES.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. YOU WILL NEVER DIE AS LONG AS CASEY, JR ,ME,DONNA, CLIFF, AND MARK ARE LIVING.EACH OF US HAVE SOME KIND OF TRAIT OF YOURS IN US. I THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A CHRISTIAN UPBRINGING AND LOVING US THE WAY YOU DID.I ONLY WISH YOU COULD HAVE COME BACK TO MY HOUSE AGAIN LIKE YOU WANTED TOO SO WE COULD COOK YOUR FAVORITE FOODS, AND FEED YOU LIKE WE DID WHEN YOU WERE WITH US BUT GOD HAD A BETTER PLAN.I THANK GOD FOR HAVING A FATHER LIKE I HAD. YOU WERE THE BEST.
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