Obituary for Reuben Leonard Lindsey
Reuben Leonard Lindsey was born on January 29, 1949, to the late George Washington Lindsey Sr. and Jessie Lee Coats-Lindsey in Gadsden, Alabama. He was twinborn and affectionately known as baby boy as he was the last of eight children. Reuben was a humble quiet giant, raised as a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama, under the leadership of Pastor W.J. Davis where he accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized. He worked in various capacities of the church but his love for singing landed him in the youth choir. From there he and a few young friends formed a singing group known as Bill Avery and The Love Company and they later went on to land a recording deal right there in Gadsden, Alabama.
Reuben was educated in the Gadsden School system and graduated from Carver High School in 1967. While at Carver High School he was a member of the Marching Band and Reuben mastered playing the Big Bass Drum.
He was known to have the crowd up on their feet while he was working the bass drum and twirling the sticks.
The performer that he was. All during his Junior and Senior year of High School he worked at Getter & Adams
Funeral home and later transitioned to Watson Funeral home. It was there he developed his passion for
Mortuary Science.
Upon completion of High School Rueben relocated to Boston MA. in 1967. Two years later his whole life
changed in 1969 when he met the true love of his life, Katie M. Owens. In 1970 he received his Associates in Science and Funeral Services from the New England Institute of Anatomy Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing. From there he became Manager of several food service chains such as Freedom Foods and Purity Supreme.
In 1974, Reuben and Katie were united in Holy Matrimony before God and their family. This union brought
three children, Grayson, Maliaka and Darcie. In 1977 he attended the New York State College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences at Cornell University where he received his certification in Managing & Training, and
Effective Communication. During this time, he also worked nights at Friedman Bakery. In the 1980’s he was
the manager of Kim’s Kaps Carrolls where he spent several years in Retail Management while still working for
Funeral Homes: Lee Barrett’s Funeral Home, Roger Shields Funeral Home and Riley-Antoine Funeral Home.
Although Rueben would occasionally attend church with his family, in 1989, he officially joined State Temple
C.O.G.I.C., under the leadership of the late Bishop L.C. Young. In 1991 Reuben got saved and filled with the
Holy Ghost, a special day he shares with his daughter Maliaka as she too was saved and filled with the Holy
Ghost that same day! Shortly afterwards, he was consecrated as a Deacon at State Temple C.O.G.I.C under the Late Bishop L.C. Young. In 2009 Rueben accepted his calling into the Ministry as a Minister. In 2010 Reuben attended the Boston Christian Academy School for Practical Ministry under Bishop Samuel B. Hogan Sr. and in 2011 received a certificate of Practical Theology and Formation for Ministry - Preaching Principles and Practice. In June of 2012 Minister Lindsey was ordained Elder under the leadership of Bishop Samuel B. Hogan, Sr. and in July 2012 he was appointed to the National Adjutancy of the Church of God in Christ, Incorporated where he has served diligently on the Local, State and National levels.
Elder Lindsey served on a District level as the Treasurer for the Metropolitan District for many years. A faithful
worker at State Temple COGIC in whatever he found his hands to do. He formed a Men’s Bible Study and was the president of the Male Chorus. Elder Lindsey was instrumental in formulating the Annual Pastoral
Anniversary Service with the sole purpose of honoring the Pastor. This was under both leaderships of the late
Bishop L.C. Young and presently Pastor Paul Odom.
He also diligently served on the ministerial staff and served Pastor Odom to the absolute best of his ability until the end. Even when sometimes he did not feel well in his body, that never deterred him from his task of serving and bringing order to wherever he was. In fact, his motto since learning of his illness was ‘I Won’t Complain.” Elder Lindsey’s hard work, his passion and the vitality of his spirit and tireless work ethics was truly reflected in everything he did. Hard work was unanimous with his name. Whatever the task or the job, Elder Lindsey gave 200%.
He worked hard for the businesses he managed, he worked hard for the business he owned, and he worked hard for God’s business as a servant for the Kingdom. Elder Lindsey was always kind, pleasant and an ever-friendly presence throughout the community. He was dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and faithful. In every conversation with people he met, Elder Lindsey showed the love of Christ that was in his heart. Elder Lindsey touched countless lives wherever he was called or assigned whether it be through the businesses he managed, right down to his own business. His commitment to serve the House of God will never, never be forgotten.
He was preceded in death by his Parents George Washington Lindsey Sr. and Jessie Lee Coates-Lindsey.
Brothers Samson Lindsey and W.M. Lindsey and twin sister Ruth Lindsey.
He leaves rejoicing in the memories of his life, his loving wife Katie M. Lindsey. Son; Grayson, Daughters;
Maliaka, and Darcie all of Boston MA. His 6 Grandchildren; Lauren, Zachary, Khira, Makiah, Hannah and Khyla. Two Great Grandchildren; Aurora and Mila. Two Brothers; Reverend G.W Lindsey Jr. of Huntsville AL, Robert Lee Lindsey of Conyers GA. Three Sisters; Lillie Pritchard and Mattie Thornton of Gadsden AL and Mae Francis James of Cleveland OH. Mother in Love; Sophie Mae Owens, 6 Brothers in Law, Eight Sisters in Law, Special Son James Holder, Special Daughters Annette Edler, Milena Fidalgo-Waters and Julie Barros, grandchildren; Lashanda, Ajay and Brandon, Godson; Dr. Tyson Bell, Goddaughters; Christine Cofield, Naomi Mays and Precious Anderson, and a whole host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends.
A heart like yours is rare, one that’s so generous, smart, and kind.
A heart like yours is what the world needs more of, full of smiles and laughter, and always doing great deeds.
Face masks are required for all individuals visiting the funeral home and church, regardless of vaccination status. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Reuben was educated in the Gadsden School system and graduated from Carver High School in 1967. While at Carver High School he was a member of the Marching Band and Reuben mastered playing the Big Bass Drum.
He was known to have the crowd up on their feet while he was working the bass drum and twirling the sticks.
The performer that he was. All during his Junior and Senior year of High School he worked at Getter & Adams
Funeral home and later transitioned to Watson Funeral home. It was there he developed his passion for
Mortuary Science.
Upon completion of High School Rueben relocated to Boston MA. in 1967. Two years later his whole life
changed in 1969 when he met the true love of his life, Katie M. Owens. In 1970 he received his Associates in Science and Funeral Services from the New England Institute of Anatomy Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing. From there he became Manager of several food service chains such as Freedom Foods and Purity Supreme.
In 1974, Reuben and Katie were united in Holy Matrimony before God and their family. This union brought
three children, Grayson, Maliaka and Darcie. In 1977 he attended the New York State College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences at Cornell University where he received his certification in Managing & Training, and
Effective Communication. During this time, he also worked nights at Friedman Bakery. In the 1980’s he was
the manager of Kim’s Kaps Carrolls where he spent several years in Retail Management while still working for
Funeral Homes: Lee Barrett’s Funeral Home, Roger Shields Funeral Home and Riley-Antoine Funeral Home.
Although Rueben would occasionally attend church with his family, in 1989, he officially joined State Temple
C.O.G.I.C., under the leadership of the late Bishop L.C. Young. In 1991 Reuben got saved and filled with the
Holy Ghost, a special day he shares with his daughter Maliaka as she too was saved and filled with the Holy
Ghost that same day! Shortly afterwards, he was consecrated as a Deacon at State Temple C.O.G.I.C under the Late Bishop L.C. Young. In 2009 Rueben accepted his calling into the Ministry as a Minister. In 2010 Reuben attended the Boston Christian Academy School for Practical Ministry under Bishop Samuel B. Hogan Sr. and in 2011 received a certificate of Practical Theology and Formation for Ministry - Preaching Principles and Practice. In June of 2012 Minister Lindsey was ordained Elder under the leadership of Bishop Samuel B. Hogan, Sr. and in July 2012 he was appointed to the National Adjutancy of the Church of God in Christ, Incorporated where he has served diligently on the Local, State and National levels.
Elder Lindsey served on a District level as the Treasurer for the Metropolitan District for many years. A faithful
worker at State Temple COGIC in whatever he found his hands to do. He formed a Men’s Bible Study and was the president of the Male Chorus. Elder Lindsey was instrumental in formulating the Annual Pastoral
Anniversary Service with the sole purpose of honoring the Pastor. This was under both leaderships of the late
Bishop L.C. Young and presently Pastor Paul Odom.
He also diligently served on the ministerial staff and served Pastor Odom to the absolute best of his ability until the end. Even when sometimes he did not feel well in his body, that never deterred him from his task of serving and bringing order to wherever he was. In fact, his motto since learning of his illness was ‘I Won’t Complain.” Elder Lindsey’s hard work, his passion and the vitality of his spirit and tireless work ethics was truly reflected in everything he did. Hard work was unanimous with his name. Whatever the task or the job, Elder Lindsey gave 200%.
He worked hard for the businesses he managed, he worked hard for the business he owned, and he worked hard for God’s business as a servant for the Kingdom. Elder Lindsey was always kind, pleasant and an ever-friendly presence throughout the community. He was dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and faithful. In every conversation with people he met, Elder Lindsey showed the love of Christ that was in his heart. Elder Lindsey touched countless lives wherever he was called or assigned whether it be through the businesses he managed, right down to his own business. His commitment to serve the House of God will never, never be forgotten.
He was preceded in death by his Parents George Washington Lindsey Sr. and Jessie Lee Coates-Lindsey.
Brothers Samson Lindsey and W.M. Lindsey and twin sister Ruth Lindsey.
He leaves rejoicing in the memories of his life, his loving wife Katie M. Lindsey. Son; Grayson, Daughters;
Maliaka, and Darcie all of Boston MA. His 6 Grandchildren; Lauren, Zachary, Khira, Makiah, Hannah and Khyla. Two Great Grandchildren; Aurora and Mila. Two Brothers; Reverend G.W Lindsey Jr. of Huntsville AL, Robert Lee Lindsey of Conyers GA. Three Sisters; Lillie Pritchard and Mattie Thornton of Gadsden AL and Mae Francis James of Cleveland OH. Mother in Love; Sophie Mae Owens, 6 Brothers in Law, Eight Sisters in Law, Special Son James Holder, Special Daughters Annette Edler, Milena Fidalgo-Waters and Julie Barros, grandchildren; Lashanda, Ajay and Brandon, Godson; Dr. Tyson Bell, Goddaughters; Christine Cofield, Naomi Mays and Precious Anderson, and a whole host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends.
A heart like yours is rare, one that’s so generous, smart, and kind.
A heart like yours is what the world needs more of, full of smiles and laughter, and always doing great deeds.
Face masks are required for all individuals visiting the funeral home and church, regardless of vaccination status. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.