Bishop Earl H. Bright Sr., born March 19, 1922, departed his earthly tabernacle on Sunday, September 26, 2010 while a resident at the Brandywine Health Care Center, Winter Haven, Fla. He was the husband of the late Inez (Council) Bright.
He was the son of the late Bishop Crawford Bright Sr. & Gola (Ross) Bright, a cousin of Harriet Ross Tubman. Bishop Bright gave his life to the Lord on July 9, 1937 at the age of 15 and was called to preach in January 1944. Bishop Bright was a lifelong member of the Church of God which ordained him into the office of a bishop in 1976.
During his ministry in the Church of God, Bishop Bright planted five churches and he was pastor of an additional 13 congregations. During this time of ministry thousands of sermons were preached across the United States, hundreds were saved and baptized; countless lives were changed. Bishop Bright was an instructor for the Southern New England (SNE) Church of God Bible Institute in Groton, CT for 5 years. He served as a SNE Church of God State Trustee and Council Member. He also served as the District Overseer of the Church of God in Rhode Island. Bishop Bright was the recipient of several awards, too numerous to list.
Bishop Bright married the late Inez (Council) Bright on September 15, 1940 and of this union were born seven children. They settled in Providence, RI where he founded the Bright Funeral Home with his eldest son, Earl H. Bright Jr.
Bishop and Sis. Bright retired to Florida after a 23 year pastorate at the Beacon Avenue Church of God in Providence, RI. Bishop Bright also co-founded the Pughsley-Bright Funeral Home in FL with his youngest son, Wayne Bright Sr. Bishop Bright resided in the Tampa Bay area and was a member and officer of the River Hills Church of God. After the death of his beloved wife “Missy” he moved to Winter Haven, FL where he was cared for by his oldest child, Lerlean A. Matthews whom he affectionately called “Josephine”. Bishop Bright is survived by his children Lerlean (Ray) Matthews of Winter Haven, FL, Earl H. (Louise) Bright Jr. of Providence, Rev. Leon (Lois) Bright of Lorton, VA, Rev. Diane Bright Doriney of Duluth, GA, Arlene Bright of Providence, Dr. Trudy (Donald) Pratt of Hixson, TN and Elder Wayne (Charlotte) Bright Sr. of Tampa, FL. Bishop Bright was one of 22 children and leaves behind his siblings: Lois Heastie , Evangelist Gola Baskerville, Rev. Hannah Hollis, Dorcas Dorman, Florine Bright, Cornelius Bright and Daniel Bright. Also mourning his loss are 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was the brother of the late Herman Bright, Marion Blackwell, Shadrach Bright, Clement Bright, Jacob Bright, Ruben Bright, Phillip Bright, Crawford Bright Jr., Jessie Bright and Mary Blackwell. One granddaughter, Karen Bright preceded him in death.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 29th from 5–8pm at the Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 North 29th Street, Tampa, FL.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 2nd, at 10am at Elmwood Avenue Church of God, 297 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Interment will follow in Swan Point Cemetery. Calling Hours will be 6-9pm Friday in Bright Funeral Home, 290 Public Street, Providence.
Click To View Condolence Messages
Bright Funeral Home
290 Public Street
Providence, RI 02905
401-331-9411
Fax 401-331-6397
"For Those Who Care"
|
