Reverend Zebedee Fennell

In the gentle embrace of a southern summer, Reverend Zebedee Fennell, a spirited and faith-filled servant of the Lord, was called home on June 30, 2024. Born on October 30, 1939, in the quaint town of Estiffanulga, Florida, Reverend Fennell's journey on this earthly plane ended in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 84. He was a beacon of light and a friend to all, embodying the scripture, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).

Reverend Fennell was a man of deep-rooted faith and unwavering dedication to his community. His early years in Port St. Joe, Florida, were marked by active participation in the Methodist Church, the Boy Scouts, and a love for sports. He was a proud graduate of George Washington High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, leaving a legacy of leadership and camaraderie.

The call of duty saw him enlist in the US Army, serving with honor and distinction at home and abroad. It was during a fateful military leave that he met the love of his life, Minnie Glen Floyd. Their marriage on December 24, 1961, blossomed into a beautiful family with four cherished children: Dionne, Candace "Shawn", Derrick, and Raymond "Tony."

In the autumn of 1965, Reverend Fennell moved his growing family to Okeechobee, Florida, where he began a career nurturing young lives at the Okeechobee School for Boys. His commitment to bettering the lives of others extended through his roles as a Quality Assurance Peer Reviewer and Chaplain, until his retirement in 2002. Through it all, he pursued higher education, earning degrees that furthered his ability to serve his community.

Reverend Fennell's calling did not end with his professional career. He served with joy as the Associate Pastor at New Saint Stevens African Methodist Episcopal Church in Okeechobee, Florida, and later at Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, Florida. His ministry was a testament to his unwavering faith and his profound belief in the power of fellowship.

Reverend Fennell leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Buford Henry Fennell and Catherine Marie Eutsay Fennell, and his wife, Minnie Glen Floyd-Fennell.

He is survived by his adoring family: his daughters, Dionne and Candace "Shawn" (Todd); sons, Derrick and Raymond "Tony"; eight grandchildren: Alexandra, Bria, Marissa, Derrick, Jr., Vincent, McKenzie, Leah, and Andre; and great-granddaughter, McKenna Rae Griffen. His sisters, Lillian Ulmstead and Jesse Davis, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, will carry on his spirit of kindness and generosity.

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