Henry Lee Vaden, Jr.

Effective 9 pm Saturday, March 21, 2020, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, had mandated by executive order #107 that all New Jersey residents shall remain home or in their place of residence unless they are obtaining essential goods or services from businesses or government agencies.  All gatherings of individuals, such as funeral services, parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled.

These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice from the state governor.  Due to the current restrictions, there will not be a funeral service for Henry Lee Vaden, Jr.

The family is grateful, and would like to extend their sincere thanks, for all the support and condolences from friends and the community in their time of mourning.

Obituary
 

“…Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…”  Ex. 14:13
 

 By the sovereign will of God, Bishop Henry Lee Vaden, Jr. transitioned from this life on April 9, 2020 in his home in Newark, NJ, with his wife by his side. He was born on September 27, 1933 in New York, NY to the late Henry Lee Vaden Sr. and Pearl Funchess Vaden. Henry was the fourth of seven children.  As a youth Henry attended elementary and high school in Jersey City, NJ.

He often shared his testimony of his brush with death when his bed became engulfed in flames. To everyone’s amazement, he escaped unharmed. Shortly after, at the age of nineteen he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior at a revival service. From then on, God, His Word and the church became his passion.  Shortly after his conversion, Henry became a Junior Deacon and was appointed to the Trustee Board at Grace Temple under the direction of Bishop Boulware.

Henry served in the United States Army from 1956-1958. His first duty assignment was in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX.  In 1957 he returned to New Jersey to serve as a hospital corpsman at Ft. Monmouth.

Bishop had an encounter with destiny on a train ride home where he met Bishop Willie-Mae Chambers, the founder of St. Peters Angelic Church of God. It was through her guidance Henry Vaden would step into his vocation and become an ordained minister and meet the beloved Clara Lattimer. Henry and Clara were married for 31 years until her demise in 1995. That union produced four children:  Terrance, Priscilla, Henry III, and Celena.  

Henry and Clara were faithful members of St. Peter’s in Newark, NJ. They were commissioned to re-open and pastor a church in the shore area, Morning Star Angelic Church of God, Asbury Park, NJ in 1978. He and Clara were the successors to the late Bishop Willie-Mae Chambers and her Husband, Bishop James C. Williams. They were installed as Bishops in 1984 and eventually presided over the church in Newark together. 

Bishop Vaden worked for the state of New Jersey for 35 years. His career started at Greystone Park Hospital as a technician in 1959.  He worked there until 1963 when he transferred to Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital. In 1964 Bishop received a scholarship from the state of New Jersey to attend Nursing School.  He graduated from nursing school in 1967. He remained at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital until retiring in October 1995 from the position of Assistant Director of Nursing.

Bishop Vaden was a man of faith, given to fasting, prayer and he operated in the gift of healing. He had a thirst for knowledge, and he loved teaching the Word of God and did so in many arenas. In 1978 he obtained a BA in History from Jersey City State College, in 1983 he received a BA in Theology from the United Bible College in Orlando, FL.

Bishop married Pastor Mary Thompson in January of 1998. Through that union Melvina and Veleda were added to the family as well as Dashawn, Diamond and Anthony. 

Bishop Vaden and Pastor Mary continued the work of the ministry at St. Peter’s Angelic Church of God, Newark, NJ. He continued enriching himself through service trainings which provided him several civil certificates, and to serve his community better Bishop became a Chaplain.  Bishop Vaden was drawn to outreach and advocated for youth and the less fortunate. He was the overseer of numerous Summer Youth programs in the city of Newark, NJ and was a foster and spiritual father to many. 

Bishop Vaden is predeceased by his first wife, Clara Vaden; parents, Henry Sr. and Pearl Vaden; sisters, Roberta Glover, Eliza Fulgeon, and Albertha Funches; and brothers, Winness Funchess, Romilee Funches, and John Atterberry. 

Remaining to celebrate his life and legacy is his wife, Mary (Newark, NJ); sons, Terrance Bronner (Wendy) Manchester, NJ, Henry III (Taneshia) Ellicott City, MD,  Dashawn-Henry Vaden, Newark, NJ, and Anthony Vaden, Newark, NJ; daughters, Priscilla Pitts (Joseph), Bear, DE; Celena Fowler (Sam), Bayville, NJ, Melvina Thompson, Newark, NJ, Veleda Thompson, Newark, NJ, Diamond Vaden, Newark, NJ; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

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