Tributes

William Turner Teel was born May 15, 1931 to late Gus and the late Emma Teel in the Popular Point Township of Martin County, NC. He was educated in Everetts, NC and continued his education in Norfolk, VA. William Teel, fondly known as “Duke” to many of his family and friends, married the love of his life, the late Dealie Matra Wallace Teel on April 15, 1951 and migrated to Brooklyn, NY. To this union, one son was born, Jeriel. He worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the New York City Public School System until retirement. He was a handy man who was a skilled laborer and did many home improvement jobs for many people to include painting, masonry, plumbing, roofing and building. He would get the job done with a smile on his face and a special laugh even if he didn’t know how to do it. He would find a way. Duke’s journey with Christ came at a very early age as he went to church with his mother. As a child, he loved music and played the drums for the church and later continued his music ministry as a guitarist and keyboard player for several churches and groups. His journey for the Lord continued throughout his adult life. He and Mother Teel attended many churches to include: Evergreen Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Revelation COGIC, Open Door COGIC, Wallace Temple COGIC, Glorious Church and The Glorious COGIC all located in Brooklyn, NY. He was ordained as Deacon at the Open Door COGIC, ordained as Elder at Wallace Temple COGIC and became Pastor of the Glorious COGIC. Pastor Teel received a Word from the Lord to start another church, which was formed and incorporated as New Deeper Life Temple (NDLT), Brooklyn, NY, which later relocated to ST. Albans, NY. He was then consecrated as Bishop under Bishop Lindsey of the Glorious COGIC. Under his Bishopric came Pastor Patricia Richardson of Straightway Tabernacle of Deliverance, Rocky Mt., NC and Elder Viola Foster of Victory Temple, Jamaica, NY, now Pastored by Apostle Roberta Sumpter. Bishop Teel had a yearly fellowship which lasted over forty years with his longtime friend Bishop Alex Neville of the Glory Church in Norfolk, VA and Enfield, NC. This fellowship lasted until both Bishop Teel and Bishop Neville were unable to continue on. Bishop Teel was truly an awesome man of God; a soul-winner for Christ who loved people and would go above and beyond for his fellow man or woman. He helped so many people and has raised so many other people’s children as children loved Bishop and he loved them. He would go to the hedges and highway to get people from all walks of life to bring them into the household of God. Throughout the years, Bishop Teel mentored so many lives and if you were under his wings, you were his Godchild. Bishop had great love for music, especially Quartet groups. He played drums, guitar, keyboard, and the tambourine. He had an extraordinary way of playing the tambourine. He played keyboard for his wife, sister and son as a family group. He later taught Jerry to play drums, bass guitar and keyboard who later played for him. Bishop became the manager of the Gospel group, the St. Mark Specials of Brooklyn, NY. He also recorded gospels songs: “You Don’t Know” a Gospel Rap: “I’ve Been Redeemed,” as well as a song with Mother Teel entitled, “The Shelf Behind the Door.” His favorite song to sing was, “Please Be Patient with Me” and would cut his step to the Glory of God when the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him. Whenever he would grace the pulpit, his high-pitched voice would get deep as he said, “PRAISE THE LORD” and would go on with his testimony on how the Lord has brought him through. Although, he was paralyzed on one side, he didn’t allow it to stop him from taking care of his household duties. He loved to ride his scooter up and down Everetts Road, as well as cut grass on his riding lawn mower every other day. He continued to build and paint things up until the day he transitioned to be with the Lord. Celebrating his journey home are his beloved son, Jeriel (Deborah) of Everetts, NC; sister, Marie Boyd of Jamaica, NY; eight grandchildren, Jeriel A. Teel of San Diego, CA, Athena Brown of Hackensack, NJ, Zarida Teel, Meshnah Teel both of Bronx, NY, Thomas Teel of Hackensack, NY, Christopher Teel of Jamaica, NY, Ayinde Fair of Everetts, NC and Amanda Morrisey of Wyandanch, NY; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Jasmine, Jalani, Jovanni, Jerikah, Jordin, Thaddeus, Taz-Aziz, Tameani, Lahrell, Yahmere, Aliza, Chace, Brittney, Amouri; one great-great grandchild, Railyn; one God-son, Joseph Wooden; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, loved ones and friends. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Sleep on Dad, you have fought a god fight, you have finished your course and you have kept the faith.

Tributes

Bishop William Turner Teel

May 5, 1931 - March 2, 2017