Maurice B. Wade Sr

Bishop Maurice B. Wade, Sr., 100, of Carroll Township, Pennsylvania, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 29, 2023, in Jefferson Hospital. He was born in Naruna, Virginia, on November 30, 1922, and spent most of his life in the Mon Valley.

Bishop Wade was the son of Charles and Lottie Wade. They had eight children: six daughters and two sons. After their mother’s passing, the siblings were raised by their father and stepmother, Viola Wade.

After graduating from Monessen High School in 1942, Bishop Wade worked in the

Monessen Steel Mill for a short time, served in the U. S. Army with the rank of PFC, and after his honorable discharge, eventually settled on a career with Bell Telephone, now known as Verizon. He worked his way up in the company and retired after 30 years as a frame man. During his time at Bell Telephone, he was offered a management position, but he declined so that nothing interfered with his greatest responsibility, his call to the ministry.

Bishop Wade was married to Dorothy Taylor-Wade for 31 years, and to this union were born three sons. She passed away on April 22, 1977. On June 28, 1980, he married Mildred Young, and this year they would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Bishop Maurice B. Wade, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Whole Truth Church of God in Christ was a spiritual giant. At age 11 he walked down the middle aisle of the church and told the Pastor that he wanted to “walk up the king’s highway.” God’s calling on his life was evident at an early age. As a young man, he served faithfully at the Gate of Heaven Church of God in Christ, Monessen, Pennsylvania, for many years under Bishop Joseph E. Bass, Sr., and First Lady Mother Mary V. Bass. These years prepared him for ministry, as he served in many capacities and learned all facets of ministry. God spoke and he obeyed the call of God and opened a church in the Borough of Donora. He served as Pastor in Donora until 2003, at which time he turned the ministry over to his eldest son, Elder Maurice B. Wade. Jr., who had previously served as his Administration Assistant. Bishop Wade’s service to the ministry did not stop in 2003, for he continued to teach Bible study on Tuesday evenings and would preach from time to time.

From 1953 to 2003, 50 years, Bishop Wade labored. His ministry in Donora began in a storefront at 544 Meldon Avenue, Donora, with his wife and 3 sons. These early years of his pastoral ministry took much hard work, prayer, and dedication, but he did not quit. While holding down a full-time job, sometimes more than one job, to take care of the family and the church, Bishop Wade persevered. The Lord would bless the work of his hands and the church membership begin to grow. In 1964 he purchased a church building at 327 First Street; here the church continued to grow and prosper. Then on December 31, 1982, Whole Truth held its first service at its present location, 1004 McKean Avenue. More ministries were birthed, souls were saved, and God blessed the leadership of this man of God. The church continued to make an impact in the community. A man of vision, anointed for leadership, Bishop Wade was adept at preaching, leading, counseling, financial management, and teaching. He was a reader and well-versed in many areas, and he would share information with the congregation to keep them enlightened about what was going on in the world, so they would not fall victim to false teachings. The church members benefited greatly from his leadership. In his 50 years of pastoring, he trained over 120 ministers and many missionaries. Those who moved away had a strong spiritual foundation and were a blessing to other ministries. His life scripture was Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Bishop Wade always worked within the structure of the Church of God in Christ, International. He received his Minister’s license in 1949. He was ordained an Elder in 1953. Under Bishop Gordon E. Vaughn, Jurisdictional Bishop of Western Pennsylvania, Bishop Wade was appointed District Superintendent, overseeing additional churches during District and State meetings. In 1985, he was led to join himself and the church to Bishop Melvin E. Clark, Sr., and the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. He was appointed as Bishop Clark’s Administrative Assistant as well as Superintendent of the Rehoboth District. He received the silver cross and cord from Bishop Clark, which was a symbol of authority throughout the Church of God in Christ.

A friendly and generous Pastor, Bishop Wade helped more people than we will ever know, and people were drawn to his friendly demeanor. Many people were healed by Bishop Wade laying hands on them in prayer. Greatly loved by his immediate family, church family, and community friends, he had a special love for children and did all he could to lead the children to Jesus through Child Evangelism and many other activities. Even the babies were drawn to him. He rocked many a baby to sleep on his shoulder. Honey, Dad, Dad Wade, brother, Pop-Pop, Uncle Morse, Elder Wade, Rev. Wade, and ultimately, Bishop Wade, was loved and known by so many. He made each person

feel special. He fed more people than we can count. You know if you were out with Dad Wade, you were going to get a good meal, and he was going to pick up the check.

Bishop Wade was a sharp dresser; he was always well-groomed.

On December 3, 2022, family, church, and community members came together to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Bishop Maurice B. Wade, Sr. Commendations were read from the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., the Borough of Donora and a poem written in his honor.

Bishop Wade was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Taylor-Wade; son, Clark O. Wade, Sr.; siblings: Georgia Peterson, Avel Wilcox, Eleanor Johnson, Dorlena Stone, James O. Wade, and Norma Carter.

Bishop Wade is survived by his wife, Supervisor Mildred Young Wade; sister, Joretta Lyons of New York; sons: Pastor Maurice B. Wade, Jr. (Cheryl), Pennsylvania; Elder Charles (Evangelist Doris), Pennsylvania; special adopted daughter Cheryl (Elder Kevin), Hurt; Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren: Maurice Wade, III, Cher (Paul) Redwood, Michael Wade, Matthew Wade, Melissa (Bishop David) Brock, Tiffany Wade, Clark Wade, Jr., Mark Carter; seventeen great-grandchildren, three great, great-grandchildren; a host of nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the Whole Truth Church of God in Christ, and he will be missed by all those who were privileged to know him.

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