Pastor Doris E. Ragins

Executive Pastor Doris E. Ragins was born on November 29th, 1946 in Newark, New Jersey to the late James Gilmore and Lossie Bernice DeVaughn-Brunson-Sanders. She was educated in the Newark school system and graduated from South Side High School in 1964. She worked as a legal assistant for nearly 30 years, and was later employed at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union, New Jersey for more than 30 years.
Executive Pastor Ragins attended Emmanuel Church of Christ on Beacon Street (which later relocated to Irvine Turner Boulevard) in Newark, New Jersey all her life. She was baptized there at an early age and received the gift of the Holy Ghost as an adult.
Executive Pastor Ragins loved the Lord with all her heart and served in many capacities in the church. While at Emmanuel, she was an associate minister under the pastorate of the late Suffr. Bishop James D. Churchwell, Sr. and ordained with the PAW, Inc. She also held positions there as Assistant Secretary, Dean of the Bible Institute, Assistant Director of the New Life Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program and Vice President of the Missionary and Women's Ministry. She served faithfully as a member of the Mass Choir and Director of the Missionary Choir. Outside of Emmanuel, she served in positions as: President of the NJ Chapter of Christian Women in Leadership; President of Women of Praise, Power & Purpose; Director of the Ushers Unit of the NJ District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Vice President of the NJ District Council Minister's Wives & Minister's Widows Auxiliary of the PAW, Inc.; and Secretary of the PAW, Inc. International Minister's Wives & Minister's Widows Auxiliary (IMWMWA).
Executive Pastor Ragins was joined in holy matrimony to Elder Alfred E. Ragins on November 2, 1996. Upon the passing of Bishop Churchwell in January, 2014, Executive Pastor Ragins and her husband answered the call of the Lord to launch Thine is the Kingdom Ministries in Somerset, New Jersey, where she served as Assistant Pastor and First Lady.
Executive Pastor Ragins always had a bright smile and loved to sing and laugh. She enjoyed fashion and looking good, and was silly, funny, down-to-earth and always told jokes. She loved her family and friends and loved being around people. Even if you did not know her at all, her pleasant demeanor and constant joking and storytelling made you feel like you had known her for many years.
She was a faithful servant, and on April 19th, 2025, the Lord called Executive Pastor Ragins home to rest from her labor. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Alfred Ragins; special nephew, Gregory Brunson; granddaughter, Chelsey Tanner (Wesley, Sr.); great grandchildren, Demi Elliott, Tyler Brunson, Azalea Tanner, and Wesley Tanner, Jr.; nephews, Leslie Johnson, Sr., Derrick Johnson (Brenda), Anthony Hatcher, Darrell Hatcher, Amos Johnson III (Barbara), Shilot Brunson and Terrell Brunson (Cheyenne); nieces, Karen Page, Lilian Johnson, Eloise Crews, Michelle Brown, Lynn Hayes and Fondrea Lynn Lewis; goddaughters Deborah Simpkins and Kia Hall-Womack; special cousin Sandra Kornegay and a host of other relatives, friends and spiritual family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Gilmore and Lossie Bernice De Vaughn-Brunson-Sanders; her siblings, Ida Louise Brunson, William Brunson, Mittie Johnson, Carolyn Webb, and Gary Brunson; her son, James Brian Brunson; and her grandson, Tyler Devon Brunson; and her great-niece, Kayla Evans.
This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Pastor Doris E. Ragins. Leave a message on the Tribute Wall to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy and comfort.