Pastor Dorcas Pugh (Lansing)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8 KJV

Her Testimony

Pastor Dorcas Pugh exchanged mortal for immortal, while surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing, Michigan at the age of 85 years. She was the daughter of William Henderson and Martha Jane Poe-Withers, born March 29, 1936, in Woodson, Arkansas.

Dorcas attended high school in Woodson, Arkansas, and earned her cosmetology degree in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was united in marriage to Murry Pugh, Jr. and they moved to Lansing, Michigan in the mid-1960s. This is where their two children, whom she dearly loved, were raised. Dorcas pursued her career as a hairdresser and was known as one of the best hairdressers in the Lansing area. She also was a Home Interior Agent, helping to make homes beautiful. Dorcas was a God-fearing woman who loved the Lord, her family, church, and community. She and her brother, Pastor Jewel Withers, answered the call of the Lord and began the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. Eventually, Dorcas founded and pastored Dorcas Outreach where she established many ministries including street, music, cable TV, phone, visiting nursing homes, and other ministries. Her music ministry brought joy to those who sang with her and those who listened. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Her cable TV and phone ministries made a difference in so many lives. Pastor Dorcas spent many years delivering her ministries in which she touched so many lives with her message of love and encouragement to all.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her daughter, Keena Dorcas Pugh; grandchildren, Alexandria Pugh, Murry Marcus Mikail (Denise) Pugh, Phoenix Pugh, and Aaliyah Pugh; great-grandchildren, Lexsi, Laya, MarMar, Kyia, RouRou, Averill, and Donni; sister, Mercy Mae Pennington, Woodson, Arkansas; many nieces including a special niece, Docie “Tiny” Brooks; many nephews including special nephews, Sam Warren, Robert Warren, and Jimmie Warren; many other relatives and friends including a special brother/son in Christ, Carlos Shields; special daughters, Sheila and Brenda; special longtime friend, Missionary Ionia Jackson; special friends, Missionary Geraldine Potter, Sister Barbara Hicks, and Sister Nancy Bonds.

She was preceded in death by her son, Murry Marcus Pugh, III; parents, William and Martha Henderson; 5 sisters, Erma Withers, Martha West, Rosie Mae Warren, Novella Clark, and Hildray Williams; 4 brothers, John Withers, William Withers, Theodore Withers, and Pastor Jewel Withers.

She is now free from the cares of this world. Revelations 21:4 KJV “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”