Church of God in Christ Elder Leo Chatham Dies

Elder Leo Chatham was born May 13, 1945, in Selma, California, to Grant and Geneva Chatham, the third of five children. He grew up in Goshen, California, attended Mt. Whitney High School, and later graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1964 after his family moved to Santa Rosa.

In 1970 he married Sister Dorothy Marchbanks, and the couple had three children. Chatham worked for 23 years as a professional sales clerk at Emporium Store.

Chatham accepted what his obituary describes as God’s calling on his life in his early 20s. He was affiliated with the Church of God in Christ, where he served as Sunday School superintendent and received his minister’s license under Pastor Taylor at Powerhouse Church of God in Christ. He later worked under Elder Ollie Marchbanks, Sr., his father-in-law, who gave him his first opportunity to preach. Pastor James Marchbanks recognized his anointing, and he received his Elder’s license under Bishop Stewart.

The obituary says Chatham served faithfully in his ministry in sickness and in health. For the rest of his life he served as assistant pastor under Pastor James Marchbanks at Fulton Church of God in Christ, a service that reflects work and calling (Colossians 3:23).

Chatham died June 30, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Chatham; three children, Regina Hall of Sacramento, and Cynthia Chatham and Leo Chatham Jr. of Santa Rosa; a son-in-law, Curtis Hall; six grandchildren; a sister, Rosalie Heads of Compton, California; and a brother, William Kenneth Chatham of Sacramento. Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. at Community Baptist Church, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial was to take place at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, with arrangements by Eggen & Lance Mortuary.

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