Pastor Tonya Samuel

On Saturday, April 28, 1962, Jesus in His infinite wisdom, delivered a phenomenal baby girl, Tonya James, to Alfred B. James and the late Lillian James, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the youngest of three children born to this union. She was educated in the Detroit Public School System and attended Henry Ford Community College.  Lady Tonya A. Samuel received her early Christian training at Messiah Baptist Church where the late Reverend T. C. Simmons was the Pastor and Founder.  While at Messiah, Lady Samuel served faithfully in various areas of the church under the watchful eye of her aunt the late Caldone Edwards.

The Lord Jesus led this young girl to her cousins’ (Elder Roderic A. and Elder Reginald J. Edwards) newly-formed church - Power House Temple – (where the Power is in the Temple and the Temple is in you) all her questions were answered. She received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost on March 18, 1977, and was baptized that very same year.  As a saved young lady, Lady Samuel submitted to her leaders and her church.  Lady Samuel served God’s people as a missionary, seminar instructor, and Sunday school teacher while waiting for the conformation and approval of God’s will. When the appointed time of training and waiting was completed, Sister Samuel was ordained as Evangelist Samuel on Sunday, June 20, 1982.

On November 22, 1982, by divine providence, Lady Tonya James was united with the Love of her life, Tyrone A. Samuel.  To this blessed union, a baby girl was added on November 5, 1991.  They became the Three Musketeers -- all for one and one for all. Bishop Tyrone A. Samuel relocated to New Jersey in November 1988 and Lady Tonya A. Samuel joined him in February 1989.  Lady Tonya A. Samuel’s ministry has been filled with many accomplishments over the years. The Lord has given her a harvest of souls.  The family serves in the Universal Church Of Christ, Incorporated, where Bishop Robert C. Jiggetts, Jr. is the Presiding Prelate.

Lady Tonya Ann Samuel held the appointment of National Supervisor of Women of the Universal Church Of Christ, Incorporated for over 25 years. She loved the National Women’s Department and gave them her all. This great and anointed woman of God was determined to do the will of the Lord. God has favored her! She loved Jesus the Christ and served His people with all her heart, soul, mind, and body. The National Women’s Department will always be the legacy of Lady Tonya A. Samuel. Because Lady Samuel had a hunger for souls, she was willing to do whatever it took to birth a soul. The Lord blessed the Samuel Family and phase one of the vision that God has given them has come to pass. Yes, my friend, Restoration has finally come!

Upon divine guidance, the family relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where God has blessed tremendously. Evangelist Samuel served as Pastor of Restoration For Life Covenant Ministries (Restoration Tabernacle) Universal Church of Christ, where her husband, Bishop Tyrone A. Samuel is the Senior Pastor.  Restoration For Life Covenant Ministries often celebrated Lady Tonya A. Samuel’s birthday and she wanted to include her sisters -- and the Golden Girls Celebration was birthed (Pastor Darla L. Purefoy, Pastor Judith B. Shafer, Evangelist Eileen Jesse, and the late Evangelist Cleo Shackelford). Even though we did not have a big birthday celebration this year, Lady Samuel was so concerned about her sisters, she sent each a gold token (Sixty looks good on you). 

Lady Tonya Ann Samuel was a wonderful, beautiful Woman of God --  inside and out.  To know her was to love her.  She was a PHENOMENAL WOMAN  -- Bishop Samuel’s Girl.  Her goal in life was to take care of Bishop (as some say, she spoiled him), and she loved her baby girl, Tiffany, and spent much time with her.  Lady Tonya A. Samuel fought a good fight and kept the faith. Her faith was anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ. Her last endeavor was to get Bishop Samuel to Holy Convocation. She drove him and she attend the Black Tie Extravaganza Banquet, the opening of Holy Convocation 2022.

During her last days Lady Samuel was taken care of by her daughters, Tiffany and Teia; her cousin and First Lady for life, Elder Sandra Manning, and Mother Sandra Coleman.  Lady Tonya A. Samuel and Bishop Tyrone A. Samuel were blessed with a host of God Children and a host of spiritual children, and oh how she loved her boys (Melvin Thomas, Elder Anthony Upton, Joseph L. Peters, Tavaljyae Thomas, Elder Dexter Dodd and Deacon Kevin Jackson, Sr.).

Lady Tonya A. Samuel took her flight to be with the God she loved on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 9:27 p.m. and her daughters (Teia and Tiffany) were right by her side. Her mother, Lillian James, and her brother, Clennon James, preceded her in death.

Lady Tonya Ann Samuel leaves to cherish her memories the love of her life and her endless love, Bishop Tyrone A. Samuel; her biological angel, Tiffany Antionette Samuel; her loving father, Mr. Alfred James; mother-in-love, Mother Eva Samuel; sister, Felicia Moore (Kerry Moore); brother-in-love, Herbert E. Samuel (Jacqueline Samuel); sisters-in -love, Mother Roberta A. Curtis and Mother Yvonne (Redd)  Shackelford; her precious children, Elder Teia Randolph, Minister Michelle A. Peters, Elder Anthony G. Upton, Sr., Minister Shannae Upton, Brother Melvin Thomas, Minister Stacie Reid, Sister Caroline Best, Sister Kim Miggia and Sister Etchika Williams; four beloved grandchildren: Makailah Upton, Anthony G. Upton, Jr., Madison Carter and Tianna Thomas; seven god-children, Tanayah Thomas, Tavaljyae Thomas, Adilah Randolph, Joseph L. Peters,  Miche’ Peters, Aniyah Cleaton and Shantelle Simpson; a host of nieces and nephews,  grand nieces and nephews; a host of cousins; and we can’t forget her most beloved children: Restoration For Life Covenant Ministries and the Universal Church of Christ.

Homegoing Services will take place at 11AM on Saturday October 8, 2022 in Wyomissing Church of the Brethren 2200 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610.  Viewing beings at 10AM.

Interment will take place in Elmwood Cemetery-Detroit, MI after continued services.

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