Leon Delph

Leon Delph was born on April 5, 1942 to Donald and Hagar Delph when the family lived in the village of Uitvlugt located on West Coast Demerara in Guyana. He was the 4th of 9 children. His father was a police officer, which meant that the family moved to various parts of the country whenever he was transferred. They finally settled in Georgetown where Leon attended the Broad Street Government School for his primary education and Cambridge Academy Secondary School. Leon excelled in sports as a young man, particularly in track and field events, winning a number of medals and trophies. He accepted Christ at the age of 14 under the ministry of “the Mason twins,” who were American missionaries. As soon as he accepted Christ, Leon threw himself into The Lord’s service while attending the Pilgrim Holiness/Wesleyan church in Guyana. He held offices in the Youth, Men and Sunday School Departments. His passion was to see young people saved and serving the Lord. Leon became the National Director of the Youth For Christ organization in Guyana and he also formed Christian scout troops for young boys. The first was for boys who lived in Georgetown and other surrounding areas, which he later expanded to minister to boys at a juvenile detention center called the Onderneeming Boy’s school. Leon’s first job was as a mechanic on the R.H. Carr Ferry boat on the Demerara river, which sailed between Georgetown and Linden. He then followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle and became a police officer. His law enforcement career spanned 13 years and Leon rose to the rank of detective. His squad mates fondly remember him as being “super honest and super upright.“ They referred to him as Brother Delph, instead of Detective Delph as a sign of respect for his integrity. On August 5, 1968 Leon married Elaine Griffith and they remained married until her passing on March 28, 2014. Leon immigrated to the USA on December 31, 1978. Leon and Elaine were blessed by the birth of their son Joel, who was their pride and joy. It was evident to everyone who knew Leon that he poured his whole life into raising, loving and nurturing Joel into the man that he is today. The Delph family lived in several parts of the US and while living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Leon owned and operated a cleaning company for 26 years. He continued to serve the Lord and his neighbors in ministry at First Union African Baptist Church, as Associate Pastor on Daufuskie Island. There are many other interesting things that Leon experienced and accomplished that some might be surprised to find out about. For example, he was head of security for Stevie Wonder for a period of time. Leon was blessed to find love again and married Joanne Bradford on August 29, 2015. They were a source of comfort, joy and happiness to each other. They lived together in Guyana, NYC, and South Carolina. Leon went home to meet the Lord on July, 17 2021 with Joanne and Joel at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents: Donald and Hagar Delph; siblings: Gordon, Joy, and Sherlock. He leaves to mourn him: his wife, Joanne; his son, Joel; daughter-in-law, Kelly; grandchildren: Alexandra, Audrey, Joel and Joshua; siblings: Gloria VanDeCruze, Keith (Veronica) Delph, Michael Delph, Wendy (Frank) Richards, and Godwin Delph in addition to Vashti Clarke and Pauline (Martin) Bristol. He also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Leon was our family historian and this loss runs deep. We will miss his jokes, searing political commentary and observations. We will miss his presence in our family, we will remember his service to his fellow man, and be thankful for the privilege of knowing and loving him. As Leon transitioned away from this world, we believe that he was immediately welcomed into the arms of our loving Heavenly Father with the words Leon longed to hear his entire life “Well done thou good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of thy Lord.” The family will receive friends Friday, July 30th, 5-7PM at Dunbar Funeral Home, 690 Southport Road, Roebuck, SC 29376. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 31st, 10AM at Trailside Church. Burial will follow in Shiloh Memorial Cemetery in Inman, SC.