The Rev. Dr. Roy Lee Pennon Sr.

The Rev. Dr. Roy Lee Pennon Sr. of Center Moriches died Dec. 24 at Medford Multi Care. He was 73 and was the founder and longtime pastor of Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead.

The son of William and Blanch (Edwards) Pennon, he was born Feb. 8, 1943, in Idabel, Okla. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.

In 1961, Pennon moved to New York state, settling in Center Moriches. He became a member of Burn’s Temple Church of God in Christ, where he worked as the pastor’s personal chauffeur and also in the youth department. He received his minister’s license and was ordained as an elder by Bishop O.M. Kelly. Pennon later purchased a church in Riverhead, which he founded as the Galilee Church of God in Christ.

Pennon graduated from the MKW Religious Training Institute and was conferred as an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. He was a charter pastor of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Eastern New York, Church of God in Christ from its inception in 1988. He was appointed superintendent of the East End District and jurisdictional conference president, where he served for more than 28 years.

Pennon is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lillian (née Cousins); his children, Crystal, Roy Jr. and Bettina; six grandsons; two granddaughters; his brothers, Lacy, Dean and Robert; his sisters, Mary Shaw, Rachel Crosby and Fignora Mitchell; and many additional family members.

Funeral services took place Dec. 29 at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead.

Arrangements were in the care of McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.