Reverend Jonathan Handley, Sr.

Rev. Jonathan (Joe) Handley Sr. Pastor Emeritus of the Community Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO made the transition to his heavenly home on Wednesday February 22, 2023.

Pastor Handley was born March 20, 1939, in Tillar, Arkansas to the late Verna Mae Rucker and David L Handley Sr. He was the third of 15 children. He was preceded in death by his parents Verna Mae and David Handley, first wife Lottie Handley, his children, Donna Brown, Clyde Brown, Anthony Handley Sr, Connie Brown, his sisters Verna Handley Ivery, Dollie Handley and Martha Handley Bass, brothers Thomas Handley and David Handley Jr.

Rev. Handley received the Lord Jesus Christ in his life at an early age. He attended the New Salem Baptist Church in Tillar, Arkansas with his parents and siblings. He moved to Kansas City after College and joined the Community Progressive MBC in the early 60*s. He was a very faithful and active member of the church. He served as Athletic Director for the church youth sports teams, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Bus Driver, Chairman of the Deacon Board, Sunday School Superintendent, Associate Minister and Assistant to the Pastor. Pastor Handley was later elected Pastor after the death of his beloved Pastor Rev. Columbus Short and remained pastor until his retirement in August 2021.

Rev. Handley loved God and Family, which included his church family. He was a strong believer in love and unity for the church. Rev. Handley was also very practical and even comical in style of preaching. He was a man of wisdom and left the church congregation with many spiritual nuggets in for that he will be greatly missed.

He will be forever be remembered for some of his favorite sayings such as (a bone in every home, say amen if you like it or not, mighty fine, more to be had, to be or not be and he would often remind us, that in this life you will need a strength stronger than yourself, and that strength comes from knowing and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord & Savior). Rev. Handley graduated from the Wolfe Project High School, Tillar, Arkansas in 1959. After graduation he went on to further his education by attending the Morris Booker Memorial College in Dermott, Ar. He was a starting member of their basketball team. He later moved to Kansas City where he married the late Lottie Handley, in which they were married for over 40 years. They had eight children. Rev Handley remarried in 2010 to Mrs. Mittie Handley. He served as Pastor of the Community Progressive Missionary Baptist Church for over 34 years until his retirement in August 2021. Rev Handley was associated with the Midwest Missionary Baptist District where he held several positions. Pastor Handley graduated from the Western Baptist Bible College in 1983. He was employed by the National Folding Carton Tube company for over 30 years and went on to work at the United States Postal Service until he retired. Pastor Handley leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife Mittie Handley of Kansas City, MO, two sons, Jonathan Handley Jr. and Antonio Haney of Kansas City, MO. three daughters Patricia Hodges (Barry) of Wichita, KS. Pameletta Brown, Eleanor Johnson (Kevin) of Kansas City, MO, nine brothers, Jimmy Handley, Rev Ossie Handley, Rev. Dr. Robert L Handley (Carrie), Rev. Johnny Handley (Carnie), Joshua Handley (Rose), John Handley (Brenda), Rev. Eddie Handley (Marilyn), Darryl Handley, Solomon Handley, all of Pine Bluff, AR, Sister-in-law Rosa Handley of Wilmington, NC. He also leaves to cherish his precious memories a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and his beloved church family the Community Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri.