Reverend David Lee Persinger, Sr.

David Lee Persinger, Sr., age 65, of New Castle, DE, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 24, 2014. He was a devoted husband and father, loving Paw Paw and dedicated Pastor. Born in Rockingham County, VA on October 23, 1948, he was a son of the late Joseph Persinger and Goldie Helmick Persinger. He graduated from Turner Ashby High School in VA and was called into full time Christian service during his senior year. After high school, he attended and graduated from Bob Jones University. With a strong desire to open an orphanage, he took his small family back to VA, but God had other plans for him. He was called and faithfully served as Pastor in Fulks Run, VA for 4 ½ years. Dedicated to God, he was then called to Pastor at Pleasantville Baptist Church in New Castle, DE, where he devotedly served his congregation and the community from June of 1976 to June of 2014. His ministry was not just confined to preaching the Word of God and meeting the needs of the congregation, but also included many hours visiting the sick in hospitals, counseling at all hours of the day and night, preaching in the prisons and meeting any other need that was presented to him. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love and zeal for serving the Lord. He made a point to share his faith not only with his family, but with all those he came into contact with. His hobbies included vintage cars, collecting all kinds of knives and of course, hunting. He would much rather have been in the woods hunting than any given day in the city. He had a warm infectious smile that was at its biggest when all his family was gathered at the table for a home cooked meal. His love and legacy will live on in his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the countless number of people he touched as he walked through this world, his temporary home. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Persinger, Jr. and Melvin Persinger and a sister, Elsie Mick. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Dorothy J. Jeanie Pitsenbarger Persinger; daughter, Angie Williams of New Castle; sons, David Persinger II of New Castle and Daniel Persinger (Jennifer) of Bear; brothers, Rick Persinger of Helena, MT and Harry Persinger of Port Republic, VA; sister, Shirley Carper (Donald) of Stanton, VA; grandsons, Bruce Williams (Julie) and Bryce Persinger; granddaughters, Crystal Toman (Jon), Amanda Williams and Jordyn Persinger; great granddaughter, Chastity Toman and 2 additional great grandchildren on the way; and a host of nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Monday evening, July 28, 2014 at the Pleasantville Baptist Church, 162 Christiana Road, New Castle, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10 am until 10:45 am on Tuesday morning, July 29, 2014 at the church, with a funeral service to follow at 11 am. Additional funeral services in VA are as follows: a visitation will be held from 12:30 pm until 2 pm on Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2014 at the Grace Baptist Church, Fulks Run, VA, where a funeral service will follow at 2 pm. Interment will follow in Greenmount Cemetery, Rockingham County, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rock of Ages Ministries, PO Box 2308, Clevenland, TN 37320.