The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) mourns the loss of the revered and dynamic new President Rev. Dr. Howard W. Creecy Jr., who passed at the age of 57.
Creecy, a third-generation preacher at The Olivet Church in Fayetteville, a civil-rights activist and father of two, passed at approximately 12:30 a.m. in his home. Though the cause of his death was not immediately known, family members suspect a heart attack and an autopsy has been commissioned.
“We thank the community for the outpouring of compassion and condolences during this difficult time,” his wife, Yolanda Grier Creecy, and his family said.
Isaac Newton Farris Jr., the nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., assumes the role of interim president of SCLC and promised to continue the late Creecy’s legacy.
“We are shocked,” Farris said. “As far as I knew, Howard was in great health. He has been my lifelong friend; this news hits me at my core. Howard has been a prophetic leader who deeply inspired me along with countless others across this great nation and world. From his inspired leadership, which revitalized the SCLC, we will work to continue on the path that he and leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. lay before us.”
Marian Parker, SCLC executive director said, “Dr. Creecy and I came into SCLC together. Our charge was to transform and rebrand this organization. That was our mantra; that was our mission and we will continue it.”
The national NAACP also mourns the loss of Rev. Dr. Howard Creecy Jr., describing him as a lifelong civil rights activist.
“It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of the civil rights hero Rev. Dr. Howard Creecy, Jr.,” said NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “Rev. Creecy took the lessons he learned from his faith and applied them to the very earthly matters of civil rights and political progress. He was a fearless leader who leaves a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.”
Creecy was elected SCLC president in January 2011 after a long career as pastor of The Olivet Church in Fayetteville. In the past he had served as interim president of the influential civil rights organization, which was founded in 1957 by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Rev. Dr. Creecy was a strong advocate for social justice in every aspect of his life,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “As president of the SCLC he encouraged youth to raise the mantle of progress; as a lifelong pastor he taught his congregations the importance of community engagement; and as a member of the NAACP, he was a personal ally in the fight for justice.”
Creecy was a graduate of Morehouse College and earned a doctor of divinity degree from Abotra Bible Institute and Seminary. He is survived by his wife, Yolanda Grier Creecy, and two children. A third-generation preacher, he had previously served as senior pastor of Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta for 26 years.
Also, the Rev. Dr. R. L. White, president of the Atlanta Branch, said the passing of Dr. Creecy is a tragedy
and loss to us all, and he will be missed.
Martin Luther King III, president and CEO of The King Center and a former president of SCLC himself made the following statement on Creecy’s death:
“I join in mourning the death of my good friend, Rev. Howard Creecy Jr., a very kind and caring man who served with energetic dedication as SCLC’s president in a time of challenge. But I also join in celebrating his life and his wonderful example of service to God, to the cause of social justice and to humanity. My prayers go out to Rev. Creecy’s family. He will be missed by many, and his spirit will live on in our hearts.”
Also, Fulton Commission Chair John Eaves had this to say:
“It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Rev. Howard Creecy Jr. The civil rights community has lost an important voice for the underserved and those who unfortunately still live in the shadows of our community. Fulton County, and indeed the rest of the nation, will miss his service.”
Atlanta City Councilman C.T. Martin said: “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Creecy family. Rev. Creecy was a man that exemplified integrity and leadership.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mrs. Yolanda Grier Creecy; his mother, Marguerite P. Creecy; his two sisters; his two daughters, Teresa and Kennedy; and his congregation at the Olivet Baptist Church. The entire family has a long distinguished history in the city of Atlanta and he had extensive community involvement and public service.”
Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond said: “My heart goes out to his wife, his daughters, and his mother. My father worked with Rev. Creecy in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. Rev. Creecy became a friend to my father, a mentor to me, and a spiritual leader to thousands of others.
This is a tremendous loss for our city and for the nation. We have just lost a giant in our community. His work had an incredible impact – from the pulpit to the street. He was always ready to help anyone and so generous with his care, his time, and his concern. He was a special person. We have a huge obligation to continue his great work. He will be missed.”
Creecy was a resident of southwest Atlanta. He was involved in numerous civic, social and political activities. In addition to being president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he was a former chairman of the Board of Directors, Project Re-direction, Atlanta University Criminal Justice Institute; and Founding National Board member of the Organization of New Equality (ONE) in Boston. He served as the director of the Office of Chaplain Services for Atlanta Fulton County government.
Creecy held the highest-ranking ecclesiastical position recognized in Atlanta Fulton County government. He was the first African American in the Atlanta Fulton County Government to serve in this capacity.
The funeral for Rev. Creecy will be Saturday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m., at Jackson Memorial United Methodist Church on Fairburn Road in northwest Atlanta. Rev. Gregory Sutton, pastor, will officiate, and Rev. Dr. Jasper Williams will bring the eulogy.
Willie Watkins Funeral Home of the West End area is in charge of the remains. According to the funeral home, the Creecy family will receive friends on Friday, Aug. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the deceased’s church in Fayetteville.