Rev. Dr. Leanora Stepney King

. Dr. Leanora Stepney King was born in Hertford NC to the late Ernest and Mildred Stepney. Her son Staff Sergeant Curtis Fitzgerald King, her sister Geraldine Smith, and her husband Retired Master Sergeant William Henry King precedes her in death. 

In 1958 when Dr. Leanora S. King moved to Oakland, California she accepted the Lord as her personal savior. She joined Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship, Reverend Herbert Guice, DD.  Whereas the late Dr. Guice and late Lillie Guice were Dr. King’s godparents.  Dr. King was a very active member, serving in  the following departments: Usher Board, Singing in the Choir, Sunday School Secretary, Chairperson of the Welcome/Hostess Committee, Counselor for new Church members, Bible Study Students, just to name a few. 

She attended market training School and earned a certificate of completion as a sales checker.  She worked for the United States government for three as a sales checker. After leaving the government, she went into the sales business for herself; where she was top sales person for years, winning trips to places such as; Tahiti, Spain, Hawaii, Portugal, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.  She also won a car, a fur coat and many other awards. 

Having dropped out of high school at the age of 15, with much encouraged from her mother, the late Mildred Stepney, she began to realize the importance of having an education.  She went back to (Adult Day/Night School) in Oakland, California.  Not only did she get the requirements to receive her GED, she also received the requirement for and received a High School Diploma.

Being a success at receiving her diploma, she submitted a proposal to the Oakland County Public Schools to assist both the young and old people in obtaining their high school diploma.  This proposal was accepted.  She was the Oakland County Public Schools liaison person as a drop out Intervention Counselor until she moved to Crewe, VA. While in Oakland she served as President of the Board of Directors for the East Oakland Girls Association and worked in the Political Arena with the Vice-Mayor of Oakland.

In 1979, Dr. King received and Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, from Peralta College in Alameda, California.  She moved to Crewe, VA and quickly got involved with the churches and the citizens of the area.  She was a Secretary of the Voter’s League, Ladies Auxiliary, Member of VFW Post 5313, Assistant Soloist for the State VFW Ladies Auxiliary (appointed at that time by State President Mrs. Shirley Nicholos), Trustee Evergreen Chapter #64 Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall affiliate, Vice-President of the Nottoway High School Band Boosters Club, she was instrumental in raising money for uniforms.  Dr. King was the first black woman President of the Fourth District VFW Ladies Auxiliary, she organized the District VFW Color guard.

At Virginia Seminary under the Deanship of late Dr. Milton Foster, she was the program chairperson, class photographer and choir directress. She was the First Black to work behind the polls and the First Black Chief Officer of Elections in Nottoway County.

In 1983, she had her First 45 rpm recording, entitled “My Tribute”.  She organized her own group, Leanora S. King and the L.S.K. Singers.  She was the special guest soloist that opened for Shirley Caesar at Fort Belvoir for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Ceremony and Birthday Observance; she was accompanied by her son, the late Curtis F. King.  She attended and performed at the 16th Annual Board meeting of the late Rev. James Cleveland Gospel Workshop of America in Chicago, Ill. 

In the year 1984, she opened Leanora’s Nails and Tanning Salon in Crewe, VA.

Dr. King recorded and album with the L.S.K Singers, entitled, “I Don’t Know About Tomorrow.” 

May 17, 1987, the foundation of Deliverance Through Jesus (For All People) Apostolic Holiness Church which was the name the Lord gave to Dr. King, began. Starting with a prayer service those in attendance: her mother the Late Mother Mildred Stepney, Joan, Lee, and Josephine Carter.

July 24, 1988 she baptized 14. August 13, 1988 she was ordained to pastor by the late Bishop Richard Harper.

In 1989 Dr. King received her B.A., in Christian Education form Virginia Seminary College in Lynchburg under the deanship of the late Dr. Milton Foster. 

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