On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, God made the divine decision to transition his faithful servant, Rev. Cleopha Pair, Sr from labor to reward. He was born on June 18, 1938, in Perry County, AL, to the union of the Mr. Herbert and Mrs. Beatrice Pair. He was a resident of Orrville, AL and a longtime resident of Mobile, AL, where he lived until he passed away.
Cleopha Pair graduated from Dallas County Training School in May 1957. He enlisted in the Army branch of the Armed forces and served 2 years. He served as a Master Electrician for the City of Mobile where he retired after 32 years of service. He coached youth athletics at Crawford Park and Taylor Park for over 30 years. He was also a 33 degree Mason of Prince Hall Masonic Lodge.
When he moved to Mobile, AL, he became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Walter Vasser, he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Member of the #2 Choir, deacon, and a trustee. On January 22, 1984, he was ordained as a deacon. Sometime after his brother, the late Reverend Herbert Pair Jr., established New Liberty Park Baptist, he changed his membership in support of his brother. There he served as deacon, trustee, and choir president. After several years of serving as deacon, he finally accepted his call to ministry. Rev Pair preached his first sermon October 26, 1997 and was ordained as a minister for Christ on December 6, 1998. In 1999, he was call to pastor the same church that his brother founded. He faithfully served as Pastor of New Liberty Park Baptist Church for 23 years. There he shepherded many souls into becoming followers of Christ and doers and keepers of His Word. Being a lover of God and education, he achieved obtaining his Doctor of Divinity degree from E.L. White Theological Seminary. Pastor Pair retired from pastoring in February 2022 and celebrated decades of service and leadership very well done!
In Mobile, AL, he met his “Sweetheart,” Barbara Jean Robinson, who he married June 13, 1962. They loved and cherished each other in marriage for 43 years until she preceded him in death on October 4, 2005.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Herbert Sr.and Mrs. Beatrice Pair, 4 of his children: Norman Pair, Michelle Johnson, Cleopha Pair Jr., and Anthony Robinson, and 5 of his siblings: Rosetta Dokes, Rev. Herbert (Lucille) Pair Jr., Eva (Tony) Pair-Bell, Marie Pair-Fails, and Sadie Pair-Draine.
He leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy 2 sons: Ronald Robinson Sr. and James (Sharon) Draine; 2 daughters: Pastor Debra (Gregory – deceased) Williams, and Evangelist Vanessa Pair; Daughter-in-law: Shawn Pair; Son-in-law: Rivers Johnson Jr; 18 grandchildren: Sharetta (Anthony) Keith, reared as a daughter, Starr Williams, Gregory King Williams, Angel Williams, Shaye Williams, and DeAnthony Henry; Ron Robinson Jr, Larhonda Robinson and Jamarcus Robinson; Brandon (Monretta) Pair, Sonyata Pair, Cleo Ciera Pair, and Cleopha Pair III; Raheem Brickhouse, Adrian (Tiffany) Draine, James (Idaleisha) Draine Jr. and Shameeka Draine; and Chrystal (Robert) McCurdy and Rivers (Krystle) Johnson Jr., 2 brothers: Robert Pair and Willie B. Pair; 3 sisters: Beatrice Draine, Nellie (Perry – deceased) Blackmon, and Quiencella Montgomery; a very special friend, Ms. Patricia Roland; 9 Godchildren: Bishop Shirley (Lester) Williams, Arthur Martin, Anita (Daryl) Bell-Dortch, Donald Wilson, Shameka Wilson, Timothy Brown, Michael Brown, Misty Brown, and Michael Risper-Reed; and a host of loving greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.