Superintendent James P. Tharrington, Jr.

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Superintendent James P. Tharrington, Jr., of Reidsville, NC, departed this life on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Superintendent James Pervis Tharrington, Jr., was born in Durham, North Carolina, to the late James P. Tharrington, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Tharrington. He attended Durham High School and went on to graduate from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Speech and Theater Communication, where he was privileged to serve as Student Government President during his senior year.

Answering the call to ministry early in life, Superintendent Tharrington devoted 35 years to pastoral service. His pastoral journey included appointments in Detroit, Michigan; Norfolk, Virginia; and Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Most recently, he served as Pastor of Evangel Fellowship Church Reidsville COGIC and Successful Life Word Ministries COGIC in High Point, North Carolina.

Throughout his ministry, Superintendent Tharrington traveled extensively, teaching at conventions, churches, and conferences across the country and encouraging others to reach their God-given potential. He authored nine Christian books, including Should Christians Pledge Fraternities and Sororities?, The Family: A God-Given Institution, Deliverance from People, and A Friend to the Fallen. He was also a sought-after lecturer on Cultural Diversity, sharing his expertise with institutions such as the Lynchburg Police Department, Liberty University, and the City of Lynchburg Department of Social Services.

His commitment to community extended far beyond the pulpit. While residing in Norfolk, Virginia, he served as Co-Chair of the Community Schools Advisory Board; a member of the Board of Directors for the Norfolk YMCA; Outreach Coordinator for the Norfolk YMCA; a member of the Mayor’s Red Ribbon Committee on High School Drop-Out Prevention; and a member of the Norfolk Public Schools Special Bussing Commission.

In 2012, Superintendent Tharrington was appointed District Superintendent of the Greater Faith District, COGIC, by his spiritual father, the late Bishop Otis Lockett, Sr. He later became the Founder and Superintendent of the Triad District, where he served faithfully for 11 years. He was elevated to Administrative Assistant under Bishop Patrick L. Wooden, Sr., in the North Carolina Third Jurisdiction, COGIC. Over the course of his service to the national church, he contributed as a Member of the National Publishing Board, Sergeant-at-Arms to the National General Assembly, and Workshop Presenter for the National Holy Convocation.

Superintendent Tharrington was also widely recognized for his service in the public square. He served as Chaplain for the Norfolk Police Department, the Lynchburg City Police Department, the Liberty University Men’s Basketball Team, and most recently as Lead Chaplain for the Reidsville Police Department. He worked for ten years as a Social Worker with the Lynchburg Department of Social Services and later served in the Rockingham County Public Schools as the Homeless Education Assistant.

Superintendent Tharrington was united in marriage to Lady Dawn Pruden Tharrington for 39 years. He is survived by his devoted wife; his daughters, Shekinah (Kevin) and Joyous; his son, James; his four granddaughters; and a loving extended family and many dear friends.

Funeral Service:  12:00 PM, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Upper Room Church of God in Christ, 3300 Idlewood Village Drive, Raleigh, NC.

Interment:  12:00 PM, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Greenfield Baptist Church Cemetery, 2659 NC 56, Creedmoor, NC.  

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