VICTORY CELEBRATION
COMMEMORATING
THE LIFE, THE LABOR AND THE LEGACY OF A CHOSEN VESSEL
\
Dr. Zannie Leland, jr. REVEREND
“The word of the Lord came unto me saying, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee though shalt speak. Behold I have put words in thy mouth.”-Jeremiah 1:4-7b, 9
• ALPHA – AUGUST 14, 1959 ◊ OMEGA – DECEMBER 11, 2025 •
Dr. Zannie LELAND, JR.
REMEMBERING A CHOSEN VESSEL
REVEREND
CHRONICLE
OF
LIFE
Zannie Leland, Jr., a giant among men, made his advent into time on August 14, 1959, at Collins Chapel Hospital, Memphis, TN to the late Rev. Zannie Leland, Sr. and Rosa Dell Grady-Leland. At the age of 13, in 1972, Zannie acknowledged his need for salvation and accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized and united with Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, marking the beginning of a lifelong faith journey. Zannie was an outstanding student at South Panola High School, graduating with the Class of 1977. He was actively involved in various clubs and organizations and distinguished himself academically, graduating ranked tenth in his class—one of his most notable achievements. He attended Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. While at Jackson State University he acknowledged a calling on his life, so he yielded to the Call into ministry in 1978.
CALLED, CHOSEN AND COMMISSIONED Upon accepting the Call into ministry, Rev. Leland served as assistant pastor of New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Batesville, MS where he became an ordained minister. On the fourth Sunday in May 1981, he received a call stating he had been elected as pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. He was unsure in uncertain times so he sought the Lord in prayer for strength and assurance and received his answer: “Be of good courage, for I am with you, and I will give you wisdom to lead my people. For forty-four years he served as the Under shepherd at “The Church Where Love is the Prevailing Factor” as Preacher, Teacher, Pastor and Anointed Leader. Rev. Leland received a Diploma in Theology in 2002, a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 2004, a Master’s Degree in Theology in 2006 and a Doctorate in Theology in 2008 from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.
CULTIVATING A LEGACY
Rev. Leland served on several boards and committees: The Patton Lane Center, The Aaron E. Henry Community Health Care Centers, The Panola County Literacy Council, The Sardis District Association, The Sardis District Ministerial Alliance, The Tri-Lakes Medical Center Chaplaincy Ministry, Chairperson for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Committee, Instructor for the Sardis District Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Former President of the Sardis District Sunday School and N.B.C. Congress of North Mississippi and currently held the position of Moderator for the Sardis District Association.
Rev. Leland worked in and retired from the South Panola School District as a Special Services Tutorial Assistant at South Panola High School. He spearheaded the Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Clubs to build Christian character, leadership and high moral standards in youth through service and scholastic achievement.
FROM LABOR TO REWARD
On December 11, 2025 @2:40 p.m. Rev. Dr. Zannie Leland, Jr. transitioned from this earthly life traded mortality for immortality to rest in the fulfillment of God’s eternal promise. Many family members and friends awaited him in glory; His parents: Rev. Zannie Leland, Sr. and Rosa Dell Grady-Leland; siblings: Minnie F. Leland, Lavetta L. Wright, Daisy Glennett Cauthen Moore, Diane Gordon, and Walter Leland, a special niece; Beverly Burnett-Rankin; his best friends: Franklin Bowden and Harlen Harris.
VICTORY CELEBRATION Sunday, December 21, 2025I1:00 p.m.
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
2609 Macedonia Road, Batesville, MS Rev. Dr. Eugene Lamberth, Officiant Pastor Carl Brown, Eulogist Prelude Introit Last Glimpse till Glory Clergy/Family Selection Macedonia Church Choir THE HOLY WRIT Old Testament Chronicles Psalm 90:1-12
Pastor Louis Wilson Left to embrace the promises of God; His Beloved children; Krochelle Kitchens of Tupelo, MS, Roydell Barr, Irvin (Robin) Cosby and Eddie Henderson all of Batesville, MS; Cherished siblings: Jeanette (Earl) Johnson of Batesville, MS, Juanita Havvard and Wesley Chapman of Indianapolis, IN, Sammy Chapman and Shelia Williams of St, Louis, MO; Beloved siblings: Rudley Leland of Merryville, IN, Arlean Leland of Washington D.C., Debra Johnson of Oxford, MS, Tawanna (Austin) Ferguson of Memphis, TN, Charles Leland of Batesville, MS, Curtis (Sherry) Leland of Coweta, OK, Patara (Hughye) McDaniel and Rhonda Leland both of Batesville, MS; Godfather: Roosevelt Kitchens and Godmother: Kathryn Hyde both of Batesville, MS; Lakeesa Burnett, Rayven Leland and Tommy D. Chapman who he fondly called nieces and nephew. Families that played a significant role in his life: The Coopers, The Carters, The Nash’s, The Chapmans, The Kitchens and The Mosley’s. His Sons and Daughters in ministry: Dr. Barbara Bledsoe, Rev. Clarence Powell, Rev. Dr. Eugene Lamberth, Minister Brandon Avant, Rev. Patrice Miller and Minister Francis Harris; a cousin whom he titled “ His Favorite Girl” Nikki (Nikita Chapman. He also leaves a plethora of nieces, nephews’ family and friends.
New Testament Chronicles II Timothy 4:4-6
Pastor James Wright Prayer of Consolation Rev. Dr. Rubert Morgan Selection Macedonia Church Choir Reflections As a Pastor • Bro. Lygunnah Bean As a Friend • Rev. Melvin Ellis As Family Member • Rhonda Leland Selection Macedonia Church Choir Words of Comfort Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr Acknowledgements/Resolutions Rev. Patrice Miller SELECTION Macedonia Church Choir EULOGY Pastor Carl Brown Recessional
OUR SHEPHERD’S LEGACY
You stood before us, Bible in hand, A faithful servant at God’s command. With gentle words and courage strong, you led us when the road was long. You prayed with us through joy and pain, Proclaimed God’s truth in loss and gain. Your voice still echoes in our hearts, A guiding light though time departs. You taught us love, you taught us grace, to seek God’s will in every place. To walk by faith, to trust His plan, to serve with open heart and hand. Though now you rest in heaven’s care, your legacy is everywhere. We stand as fruit of seeds you sowed, still walking down the path you showed. Well done, dear pastor, faithful friend, your work in Christ will never end. Until the day we meet once more, we thank God for you—forevermore.
- THE MACEDONIA CHURCH FAMILY
Life Without You
Life will move ahead, our hearts will still ache, we realize you are gone and that God makes no mistakes. The world will still turn, the hours will pass, we’ll hold on to memories and make them last. We’ll learn to live through quiet days, with empty rooms and altered ways. We’ll remember your laughter that lingers soft and true, to get through moments without you. Though you are gone from mortal sight, your love remains our guiding light. In memories warm and lessons too, we find strength in loving you. Still, we go on, though hearts are sore, Carrying you gracefully forevermore.
Love Your Siblings
The Pops We Inherited
You were not ours by blood alone, yet love made us your very own. You stepped into our lives with grace and filled a father’s sacred place. You showed us strength with gentle care, A steady hand, a heart laid bare. Through spoken truth and silent deed, you gave us all we’d ever need. You chose us, and we chose you, A bond made strong, sincere, and true. Not born of chance, but grown with time, A love that proved itself divine. Though now you rest beyond our sight, your lessons live, your love is our light. In all we are and hope to be, your legacy teaches us to be free. You were our Pop—heart and soul, not by birth, but by the role. Forever loved, forever near, Our inherited father, always dear. Your Children
Krochelle, Irvin, Roydell & Eddie
" What mighty God, weserve. Angels bow before Him. Heaven and earth adore Him, whatmighty God, weserve!” -Rev. Dr. Zannie Leland
Acknowledgements
We, the family of Rev. Dr. Zannie Leland, Jr. humbly and sincerely extend our gratitude to the Macedonia Church Family, Fellow Clergy, Community and Friends. Your outpouring of love and compassion toward us in this season of sorrow has been impeccable and reflects the legacy of faith he faithfully lived and taught. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Calvin Burdette for his dedicated service and care during the time he briefly served as a caregiver. As we continue to navigate the days ahead, we kindly ask for your continued prayers, strength, and support.
Thank You , The Leland Family Pallbearers
TeJuan Leland Darius Leland
Kendrick Key Corbin Brassell
James Otis Cooper Michael King
Honorary Pallbearers Macedonia Deacons Eddie Henderson Sammy Chapman
Irvin Cosby Charles Leland Otis Cooper
Roydell Barr Welsey Chapman Tony Brooks
Committal & Final Resting Place Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery
REPAST
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
Professional Services and Arrangements Entrusted to
Cooley’s Mortuary, Inc. 327 Panola Ave. |P.O. Box 1593 |Batesville, MS 38606
VANCELLIS KING 901218221