Deacon Leonard Pinkney

Deacon Leonard Pinkney, 80, Harrisburg, PA, entered eternal life March 18, 2016 while at the Harrisburg Hospital. He was born November 12, 1935 in Steelton, PA, son of the late George Pinkney and the late Birder Mae Macon Pinkney Garnett. Deacon Pinkney was a graduate of Steelton High School, Harrisburg Area Community College with an Associate Degree in Business, and Pennsylvania State University with a Degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. He further studied at George Washington University, Washington, DC, in the Contemporary Executive Development Program and the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, VA, in the Senior Executive Leadership Program. Deacon Pinkney served in the U. S. Army as a Personnel Specialist and the U. S. Army Reserves as Personnel and Supply Specialist. He retired from the Federal Government with more than 40 years of creditable service where he served as an Equal Opportunity Manager and Human Resources Manager. His latest assignment was with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC. After his retirement, he founded his consulting firm, Pinkney Consulting Associates, Burke, VA, performing investigations, training and special projects with The Assignment Group, Rockville, MD, and the International Civil Rights Settlement Group, Gaithersburg, MD. He was a member of The First Baptist Church of Steelton from 1963 until 1980 and served as an Officer on the Deacon Ministry. He recently rejoined the church after living in Burke, VA, for 32 years and again served with the Deacon Ministry. Deacon Pinkney was a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, DC, where he served as a Servant and Vice Chairman on the Council of the Diaconate. He also chaired the Budget and Finance Committee for several terms. Deacon Pinkney was honored at the church as Servant of the Year for his Outstanding Service and Dedication. Additionally, he was an avid tennis player and loved to play his clarinet and shared it with his sister and son. Deacon Pinkney was active in the community as a volunteer and human rights advocate serving on advisory boards with high schools and universities. In 2008, he served on the Campaign Committee for Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. In that same year, he served as an Election Officer in Fairfax County, VA. In 2012, he served on the, “Get Out The Vote” and “Voter Registration” Committees in Harrisburg, as well as a Poll Watcher in Lower Paxton Township. He participated on the Advisory Board with the Act 101 Program at Shippensburg State University and later with the Tri-County United Way. He served as the President of the Mechanicsburg Navy Supply Depot Supervisors Association and was a Board Member of the former Defense Activities Federal Credit Union. He served on the Board as Treasurer for the Lake Braddock Secondary School Athletic Association, Burke, VA, and the Treasurer for the Pentagon Chapter of Blacks in Government. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP. In addition to his parents, Deacon Pinkney was predeceased by his sisters, Sarah Arlene Pinkney and Gwendolyn Georgette Pinkney. Surviving are his devoted wife of 52 years, Sherlene Ellen Cox Pinkney of Harrisburg; sons, Leonard Pinkney Jr. (Stephanie) of Chicago, IL, and Rev. Geoffrey Karl Pinkney of Harrisburg; grandchildren, Robert Leonard Pinkney, Robin Pinkney and Raven Pinkney of Chicago, IL; sister, Bernice Pinkney Cooper of Battle Creek, MI; an uncle, Matthew Macon (Rosalind) of Steelton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Deacon Pinkney’s life will be celebrated at 12 Noon, Monday, March 28, 2016, at The First Baptist Church of Steelton, 1850 S. 19th Street, Harrisburg, with viewing 10 A.M.-12 Noon. Interment will be at William Howard Day Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Fresenius Medical Care, American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. Professional services entrusted to Wallace Funeral Directors. wallacefd.com Flowers may be delivered to The First Baptist Church of Steelton, 1850 S. 19th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104, 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Tributes

Deacon Leonard Pinkney

November 12, 1935 - March 18, 2016