Bishop Euguene C. Tanniehill, Jr.

Bishop Eugene C. Tanniehill, Jr., son of (the late) Eugene C. Tanniehill, Sr. and Pearl Bush Tanniehill, was born June 25, 1934 in Colfax, Louisiana.  He attended school in the Colfax education system.

Some years later, Eugene became an ordained Bishop and Pastor of the Angola Prison Non-Denominational Church located in Angola, Louisiana where he was known for leading the inmates in prayer for repentance and redemption.  God used him to open seven churches on the prison grounds of one of the bloodiest prisons in the country.  Inmates turned their hearts to God through the preaching and teaching of “The Bishop”.  He preached nonviolence, and to repent and live a peaceful life.  “He had a great impact on Angola Prison” said Warden Burl Cain.  He served as an intercessor for the NOTBS (New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary) and mentored several of the graduates.  He taught Sunday School in Angola as well as several other classes. He received many awards and certificates that he proudly held dearly in his possession for over 50 years.  He was featured in a documentary called “The Farm” produced by his longtime friend Jonathan Stack who created a website on Bishop’s life which can be found at www.BishopEugeneTanniehill.com representing a summarization of his life and accomplishments.

While ministering in Angola Prison, Bishop met a lifelong friend, Terry Van Der, who was resourceful to Bishop throughout his tenure and endeavors.  Terry supported Bishop and made provisions for him through the help of the Lord to pursue whatever goals and dreams he had in serving and ministering to others.

In 2007, Bishop came to New York and joined The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church where the Pastor, Jim Cymbala, received him into his congregation with open arms and love.  Pastor Cymbala became a good friend to Bishop Tanniehill and he began to work with at-risk youth at the church.  Bishop joined the Prison Ministry at the church and worked with Joshua Smalls who was the leader, and ministered to the surrounding prisons including Riker’s Island.  After Bishop became known from his website and followings, he evangelized throughout the country upon request for speaking engagements.  In 2007, Bishop also met the love of his life, Charlene Latimi.  On January 9, 2009, they were married and remained as a union until his demise on Friday, October 23, 2020.

Bishop was in perfect health until he suffered a fall in February 2018. From that point, his health declined and he spent a short time in Shoreview Nursing Home.  Prior to that, he jogged five miles a day and rode his ten-speed bike daily.  His favorite quote was, “A body in jail is better off than a soul in prison.” After his short stay in the nursing home, his wife and family thought it best that he spend the remainder of his life in his home where he was made comfortable under Hospice Home Care until his demise.

Bishop Eugene Tanniehill leaves to cherish his Christ-honoring memory, his wife Charlene; his son Michael Tanniehill; his stepdaughter Dawn Latimer; his stepson Kevin Jones; two granddaughters: Ebone Johnson and Emani Westley; one grandson Urias Jones; one great-granddaughter Davae Baptiste; his nephews: Clarence McDonald, Antonio and Anthony Grant (of Anderson, South Carolina), his nieces: Gwendolyn Cullens and Allie McDonald (also of Anderson, South Carolina); and a host of other relatives, church members, former fellow inmates, and friends throughout Brooklyn, New York and the entire country

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