Rev. Terry B. Black
September 14, 1957 – August 7, 2025
He is preceded in death by his parents, Winfred and Aleen Black, and mother-in-law, Betty Willeford. He is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Katherine Black; his children Chrystal (Tim) Milligan, Natalie (Jason) Huckaby, Brandon (Olivia) Black, and his treasured grandchildren: Zander Milligan, Bella Milligan, Tate Milligan, Henry Milligan, Maloree Huckaby, Rhett Huckaby, Knox Huckaby, Memphis Black, and August Black.
He is also survived by his sister Debbie (Francek) Strlek; father-in-law Everett Willeford; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and spiritual sons and daughters around the world.
Rev. Terry Branding Black, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025 having lived a life marked by deep faith, unwavering vision, and a heart full of compassion. Born on September 14, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Winfred and Aleen Black, the first UPCI church planters to KCMO and founders of First Pentecostal Church (40th and Harrison). He moved to St. Louis in 1965 to attend Apostolic Pentecostal Church where his father would become pastor. After being raised in an explosive revival culture, Rev. Black would go on to leave an indelible mark on countless lives across North America.
He graduated from South County Tech in 1975 after attending Afton High School, and briefly studied at Gateway College of Evangelism between 1975–1976. On August 27, 1976, he married his childhood sweetheart, Cheryl Willeford — beginning a lifelong partnership of love and ministry.
Together, they evangelized across the country in a motor home before being elected pastor of Maranatha Tabernacle in Vancouver, BC, Canada in 1978. There, he established a thriving church with over 250 souls born into their church plant. After another season of evangelism in 1985–1986, he became pastor of Whitehaven United Pentecostal Church (later renamed The Pentecostal Church) in Memphis, TN, where he served faithfully from 1986 until 2012. Under his visionary leadership, the congregation grew from 117 in attendance on their first service to well over a thousand in attendance on their last Power Weekend service.
In July 2021, he began preaching at Grace Apostolic in Nixa, MO, and was elected pastor on September 15, 2021. What began with just 21 in attendance has now grown to over 100 — a testament to his enduring impact and gift for cultivating growth and faith in others.
Known for his love for people, deep laughter, unmatched hospitality, and the ability to find the best restaurants in any city, Rev. Black was a man who made everyone feel seen and valued. He was a talented singer, an exceptional saxophone player, and a dynamic preacher with a passion for developing ministers and fostering the gifts of others.
His familiar sayings — “Follow Peace,” “His Presence, His Purpose, and then our Presentation,” and “God is too kind to be cruel, too wise to make mistakes, and too deep to explain Himself” — continue to echo in the hearts of those he pastored, mentored, and loved.
He ended his life preaching the apostolic Acts 2:38 message of the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues, baptism in Jesus’ Name, and the oneness of the Mighty God in Christ. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, all of whom are actively serving in ministry and loving God.
His life was a testament to mercy, vision, and the transformational power of God’s call. He finished his race victoriously— a shepherd, a servant, and a spiritual father to many.
Services for Rev. Terry B. Black will be at 7:00 pm Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Grace Apostolic Church Nixa, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm prior to the service. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.
A second service will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Apostolic Pentecostal Church St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm prior to the services. St. Louis arrangements are under the care of Kutis Funeral Home – South County Chapel.