Leontine T. Kelly Bishop Date of Birth: 05.03.1920 Country: USA

Biography of Leontine T. Kelly

Leontine T. Kelly was a former American clergywoman and bishop of the United Methodist Church. She was born in Washington, D.C., and was one of the eight children of Methodist minister David D. Turpeau, Sr. Turpeau was not only a respected clergyman but also a successful political figure, having served in the Ohio House of Representatives for a period of time.

Kelly's mother, Ila Marshall Turpeau, was a well-known activist, regularly fighting for women's rights and the rights of African Americans. It was Ila who founded the Urban League of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kelly's first marriage to Gloster B. Current ended in divorce, and they had three children together - a daughter and two sons. She then remarried Reverend James David Kelly.

In 1960, Kelly graduated from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor's degree. She later earned a diploma in economics, history, and humanities from North Texas State University, the University of Cincinnati, and the College of William and Mary.

For eight years, Kelly taught at a school before completing her clergy courses at Wesley Theological Seminary. She then obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

Kelly also received several honorary doctorate degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, DePauw University, Christian Theological Seminary, and other similar institutions.

She became an ordained bishop through the Western Jurisdictional Committee of the Methodist Church. Kelly was the second woman and the first African American to hold such a high position within a significant Christian denomination. She was assigned to the San Francisco district, where she served until her retirement.