Rev. Leslie Charles "L.C." Seals, 100, was born July 5, 1918 to the union of Cary and Beulah Seals in Arkansas City, Arkansas. He was one of eight children. Both parents; brothers, Elijah, Elisha and Cary Jr.; sisters, Olivia, Addie, Naomi and Doll; the Three Golden Girls, Gladys, Tennye and Grace; his spiritual son, Pastor Kevin L. Verner, Sr. along with his wife of sixty-four years, Susie Bernice Seals all preceded him in death.

Leslie accepted Christ as a young boy and united with St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church where his father was the founder and pastor. At the age of twelve, he was baptized in the Mississippi River.

Living in the early 1900's, Leslie was not was afforded a formal education however, he was a self-taught bible scholar who spent countless hours sneaking to study the Bible with his sisters.

In his early adult life, he left Arkansas by hopping freight trains in search of a better life. He eventually landed in Washington, D.C. After experiencing insurmountable racism and no opportunities for work, Leslie went back home to Arkansas City where he met and married Geraldine Gerdy. To this union one child was born, Ginger. Their marriage was soon dissolved.

In 1943, Leslie met the love of his life, Susie Bernice Washington. On November 17, 1945 they were united in holy matrimony. Soon after, he and his bride followed his brother to Kansas City, Missouri where he was told there were better opportunities.

Once in Kansas City, he found work at Jack Jones Lumber Company where he labored for twenty-five tears. He always maintained a couple side jobs with Faultless and several janitorial services. He was not afraid of hard work and often said, "Don't let another man outwork you". Leslie held on to his roots by gardening, hunting and fishing. He lived by the motto, "You either grew it, shot it or caught it". It was during this time that he lost his way spiritually.

His wife Susie was a faithful member of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church where she tirelessly prayed for her husband to find his way, and that he did! They moved their membership to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Edwardsville, Kansas under the leadership of the late Pastor Moses Williams. It was there that Leslie's passion for Christ blossomed. He grew spiritually by leaps and bounds becoming an ordained Deacon on August 4, 1959, licensed to preach on April 3, 1960 and an ordained Minister on April 4, 1962.

God had blessed Leslie and Susan with four children, Lillian, Brenda, Roberta and Leonard. It was Brenda who encouraged her dad to take a literacy course at night so he could learn how to write.

Leslie was asked by his pastor to preach at Greater Mt. Olive in Kansas City, Missouri due to the illness of their current pastor and was later asked to become the pastor, an offer in which he declined and returned to New Hope. Leslie was approached again, this time by three members of Greater Mt. Olive (Gladys Darrough, Tennye Turrentine and Grace Verner affectionately known as The Golden Girls) to become their pastor. After several visits and much prayer it was decided that they start a new ministry with Reverend Seals at the helm. In May of 1970, True Faith Missionary Baptist Church was established; later to become True Faith Outreach Ministries, Pastor Darryl McFadden, Sr. current pastor. True Faith was nicknamed "Holy Ghost Headquarters" because of the many souls that were saved and the lives that were changed. Pastor seals always said, "The church should always be taking in new members and baptizing". He remained the faithful pastor of True Faith until his retirement on July 5, 1999, his 80th birthday.

After much prayer he and his wife joined Greater St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Nathan Buie, Sr., whom he considered one of his sons. Due to his failing health and strong desire to worship consistently, he decided to join his daughter who was his primary caregiver at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Jesse L. Frazier until his earthly departure.

Rev. Leslie Charles Seals was a pillar of this community. He took the time to teach many of his youth how to drive a car. He would unselfishly transport many of his church and family members back and forth to college because education was everything to him. He was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, counselor, confidante and spiritual advisor to thousands. He will definitely be remembered for his immaculate way of dressing; he was always sharper than a tack with tilted brims, tailored suits and his Florishem or Stacey Adams shoes on any given day. Lastly, let us not forget his love for hot dogs, hot or cold.

Rev. Seals departed this early life on February 8, 2019 at the home. As we think of him remember he would say, "Find your place in God and stay there".

He leaves to cherish his memory: one son, Leonard Seals and special grandson, Jason Seals (Mary) of Kansas City, MO; four daughters, Lillian Peters of Kansas City, MO, Ginger Lee Williams of Arkansas City, AR, Brenda Adams of Kansas City, KS and Roberta Starr (Dexter Sr.) of Kansas City, MO; two special sons, Floyd Newman (Lisa) and Roy Starr (Tammy) of Kansas City, MO; two God-daughters, Jackie Woods (Winston) of Raytown, MO and Tammara Scott of Kansas City, KS; first cousin, Cleon Seals of Arkansas City, AR; special friend, Ira Mills (Carolyn) of Belton, MO; nineteen grandchildren, forty-two great grandchildren, twenty-one great-great grandchildren and a multitude of church families and friends.

Funeral services Saturday, February 16, 12:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Visitations Friday, February 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. both at the church. Interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.