First Lady Delois T. McKnight
Lady Delois Turner McKnight is the fourth and presiding first lady of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. She is the youngest daughter of 14 children, born to Deacon Raleigh and Mother Katie Turner of Abbeville, Georgia.
She was very active in the church as a youngster and gave her life to Christ at the tender age of thirteen. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and participated in many local as well as national conventions. She married Presiding Bishop James E. McKnight, Jr. in 1978 and four children were added to that union: Candace, James, III and Devin. Baby Brandon passed away at a young age. She was employed as a certified, early childhood parent educator for the Florida First Start program. She also held a certificate in early childhood education.
When her husband answered the called to establish a ministry in Starke Florida, she was extremely helpful in every aspect of the cause. In fact, when he was still employed, she recruited volunteers to assist her in door-to-door outreach which produced many of the earliest members of the church. She coordinated the Adult Outreach Ministries, managed the Usher Board, greeters and Women’s Ministries.
Lady Delois served faithfully on the Leading Ladies Board for over a decade until she was elevated to the national first lady on December 20, 2014. Her first national initiative was to establish this support website for Christian women all over the world. She continues to work tirelessly by Bishop McKnight’s side as he continues expanding the vision of this great church.
Leading Lady Sandra Lafaye Turner
Sandra LaFaye Turner is the eldest daughter of Mr. Walter J. Williams and Ms. Ocie Mae Page. She was born in 1961 and reared in Douglas, Georgia. Sandra graduated from Coffee County High School in Douglas, Georgia. She attended Waycross/Ware Vocational Technical School in Waycross, Georgia where she received certificates in Nurses Aid I and II. She later graduated from South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia with a certificate in Fashion Merchandising.
Sandra started attending Bible study, prayer and Sunday services faithfully under the leadership of Pastor H. N. Turner in 1991. A revival service was rendered one night under the preaching of Pastor Benny Calloway of Fitzgerald, Georgia when she began to really change her ways and accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Sandra and Pastor Turner were joined together in holy matrimony in 1992 and became one flesh. He renamed her "Precious" because he says "she is precious to me." God has blessed them together with six children: Rodrecus Canady, Vanelsa Taylor, Hope Turner, Jerome Watts, Jr. Helen Turner and H. N. Turner, Jr. They also have a host of 17 grandchildren and still counting. Lady Precious work history include: various work study programs at South Georgia College, CNA, bartender, and Golden Poultry employee for seven years, flower designer at Deco Rama and file clerk at Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls, Georgia. Both she and Pastor Turner resigned together from CCF/CCA in 2004. In December 2004 as Pastor Turner was elected as Ruling Elder on the Executive Board of COGBF, Inc. Lady Precious was right by his side and was drafted on the Executive Wives Board as a national leader.
Lady Precious is most thankful to God for salvation and showing her a more excellent way to live a clean and holy life. Also for the love of her life, someone to love her for who she is unconditionally. She is most concerned about her family as well as her church family and others she comes in contact with and their souls.
Leading Lady Gwendolyn Cooper Ware
Leading Lady Gwendolyn Yvonne Cooper Ware was born and raised in Leesburg, FL and accepted Christ at the age of 16. In 1972, she married Ruling Elder James Ware and four children were born to that union: James, Jr., Jereme, Lisa Sneed and Johnny.
Lady Ware was the first president of the Women’s Ministry and loves singing in the choir. She is a consecrated minister of the COGBF and has a burning desire to learn more about the Word of God. In fact, she graduated with Highest Honors from the Walkers Institute of Theology and Ministry Training where she earned an Associate’s Degree.
She assisted her husband in launching the COGBF in Converse, Texas. She’s a retired pre-K teacher and the first president and founder of the Perfecting Ministry. This program ministers to hurting women through all walks of their lives. Lady Ware remains the First Lady of Greater Macedonia COGBF and the Ocala District. She serves as the newest member of the National Leading Ladies and we’re excited about her contributions in the years to come.
Leading Lady Lillie P. Williams
Mother Lillie P. Williams was born in Lake City, Florida and was saved at the age of 17 in the city of High Springs, Florida under the leadership of Elder Timothy Reid.
After relocating to Tampa, Florida in 1970 Sister Williams served as the Financial Secretary at Little Rock Church of God by Faith for twenty-five years. She remained active in the church in many capacities. Later she was appointed a Church Mother. Since Elder Williams' call to the ministry, Mother Williams has been a strong supporter of her husband's ministry. Mother Williams believes in cherishing her church family and enjoying people. She is a loving, outgoing, motivated person who is dedicated to her church and personal family. Like many others, she has experienced spiritual growth from her husband's teaching.
Over the years her passion has been to reach out to the unsaved, the sick, and the needy. Mother Williams presently serves as president of The Rock's Home Mission department, president of the Tampa Westcoast District Pastors' Wives Board and as a member of the church neighborhood's Community Board. She is a woman who believes in the power of prayer and in being fully devoted to God.
Mother Lillie Williams is the proud mother of five children, Everett Wiiliams (Sheila), Tangi Jarman (Derryc), Audrey Sherman (Jason), Jeffrey Williams (Dena), and April Vanrivers (Santron). She has several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many spiritual children.
Leading Lady Veronica V. Daymon
Leading Lady Veronica V. Daymon started her ministry early with the Adams Street Church of God by Faith under the leadership of the Emeritus Ruling Elder David C. Rourk and the late Leading Lady Ruth Rourk. She sang faithfully in the choir, ushered, served on the Hospitality Ministry and attended many local and national conventions. She was blessed to sit under the Late Leading Lady Ruth Rourk where she learned how to serve and love God’s people with intention and to be a First Lady. Mother Rourk always encouraged her to be herself and to stay humbled.
Lady Daymon has served faithfully in ministry alongside her husband, Pastor Reginald Daymon, since New Hope Church of God by Faith, Inc. was founded in 1985. Even though the work seemed to get heavy at times, she believes the word of God and leans on Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Her dedication to the work of the Lord can be seen in her attention to detail as head of the Missionary Department and as president of the Northwestern New York District Pastor’s and Minister’s Wives Auxiliary.
Her gift of helps fosters a welcoming and encouraging environment and coaches individuals to be all they can be in the church and within the community. She can be found working in the Outreach Ministry and working with different individuals from all walks of life. She embraces the call of ministering to those who are hurting, lost, and in need of support. Her dedication is to serve and embody the scripture found in Matthew 25: 35, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” She believes that it is important to meet the needs first and then apply the word of God.
Lady Daymon is a frequent attendee at National COGBF conventions and conferences and is respected throughout the organization. She is the mother of three: DaNell, Reginald Jr. and Monique and grandmother of four.