Everett Leadingham Jr.

Everett Earl "Ev" Leadingham, Jr. Everett Earl "Ev" Leadingham, Jr., age 62, of Burlington, North Carolina, died Friday, October 8, 2010. He served as the senior editor of the adult curriculum group for almost two decades at the Church of the Nazarene's International Headquarters and later at Nazarene Publishing House (NPH). Raised in the Pilgrim Holiness Church, Ev joined the Methodist church as a young man and pastored congregations in Ohio. He later moved to North Carolina and joined the Church of the Nazarene where he was ordained in 1989. A 1966 graduate of Troy High School, he held degrees from Wright State University and Methodist Theological School and earned a doctor of ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2001. Ev was a compassionate man and remembered by colleagues as "a careful thinker, a brilliant writer, and a deeply-committed believer". He was "a gentle Christian giant... who brought peace and well-being to those around him." Born September 22, 1948 to the late E.E. and Maynie Alexander Leadingham, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle "Shelli" Leadingham-Lowe, in 2002, and by five siblings. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Diane K. Ford Leadingham, to whom he was married on June 1, 1968, 2 grandsons, Brandon & Logan Lowe, his son-in-law, Rocky Lowe, Marysville; and a sister, Mary Webster, Danville, IN. Bishop C. Joseph Sprague will conduct a graveside service on Friday, July 8, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Claibourne Cemetery near Richwood. Mannasmith Funeral Home, Marysville, is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nazarene Seminary, Kansas City, MO in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.mannasmithfuneralhome.com.