Elder Cornelius Witcher

Elder Cornelius Witcher was born on June 9, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the loving union of Sandy and Hazel Green Witcher. He was the eldest of six children.

After graduating from high school, Elder Witcher enlisted in the United States Army, where he honorably served his country for four years. It was during this time that he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, answering the call to salvation and beginning a lifelong journey of faith and service.

In 1956, he united in holy matrimony with the love of his life, Annie Bell Williams, in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they worshiped at Good Hope Church of God in Christ, where Elder Witcher answered the call to ministry and was ordained as an Elder. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked faithfully as a baker, providing for his growing family while remaining steadfast in his commitment to the work of the Lord.

In 1964, the Witcher family began worshiping at St. Paul Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Bishop Daniel. He was known as a man of great faith—one who preached and taught the Word of God with power and conviction, prayed earnestly for the sick, and trusted God for healing and deliverance.

In 1973, Elder Witcher moved his family to Titusville, Florida. While living in Florida, Elder Witcher continued his education and earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. After completing his Associate Degree, he relocated his family to Omaha, Nebraska. There, he and Sister Annie Bell joined New Hope Deliverance Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Pastor Jimmy Scott. Elder Witcher later served as pastor of New Hope Deliverance Church, faithfully shepherding God’s people and laboring in the vineyard of the Lord.

Upon retirement, Elder Witcher and his wife returned to Titusville, Florida—a place he dearly loved—where they worshiped at First Born Church under the leadership of Pastor Sullivan. In 2008, the couple relocated to Temecula, California, where they became members of Imani Temple of Temecula under the leadership of Pastor James Mason.

Elder Witcher’s love for Florida drew them back for a season; however, after the passing of his beloved wife, Sister Annie Bell Witcher, in 2015, he returned to reside permanently in California.

Elder Cornelius Witcher answered the Master’s call and transitioned from labor to reward on January 23, 2026.

Preceded in Death

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sandy and Hazel Green Witcher; his brothers Benjamin and Nathaniel Witcher; his sister Lois Louis; his devoted wife, Sister Annie Bell Witcher; and his son, Gregory Witcher.

Those Left to Cherish His Memory

He leaves to cherish his loving memory his sister, Eunice Sweatte of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother, James Witcher of Omaha, Nebraska; twelve children: Cynthia Davis (California), Cornelius Witcher Jr. (Ghana, Africa), Gwinetta Robbs (California), James Witcher

(Arkansas), Anthony Witcher (California), Keith Witcher (Nebraska), Jacqueline Witcher

(Arkansas), Timothy Witcher (Kake, Alaska), Kevin Witcher (Nebraska), Benjamin Witcher (California), Gale Witcher (Georgia), and Alvin Witcher (Texas); sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; granddaughter Carletta Casey of Georgia; 33 additional grandchildren; over 50 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, saints, friends, and loved ones.

Closing Tribute

Elder Cornelius Witcher will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, a preacher of righteousness, a devoted husband and father, and a man who stood firm on the Word of God until the end. He fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant. — Matthew 25:21