Liberia: Thousands Gather Near Washington to Pay Final Homage to the late Dr. J. Edwin Lloyd, Sr.

Thousands of mourners from across the U.S, Europe and other parts gathered near Washington DC over the weekend to pay final homage to the fallen Liberian clergyman and statesman, Rev. Dr. J. Edwin Lloyd, Sr. 

The late Baptist prelate, whose remains will be returned to Liberia on June 21st for official funeral rites. Llyod passed away on May 6, in the United States after a brief illness.  

At a special memorial event held at the Covenant Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, several dignitaries representing the Government of Liberia, and the United States joined an array of former Liberian government officials, renowned clergymen, and leaders of the Liberian Diaspora to honor the life of a man they described as an iconic national patriot. 

The event was highlighted by the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to the deceased from U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. for his prolific service to humanity.

In a powerful eulogy delivered before a mammoth crowd of over 2,500 mourners, the son of the deceased, Rev. Dr, J. Edwin Lloyd, Jr. described his father as a voice for the voiceless who was proud to carry the scars of suffering for his people as Christ did — never fearing the consequences. 

In earlier remarks, Liberian Ambassador to the U.S. Jeff G. Duwana hailed the late Liberian statesman and advocate as a shining example of the virtues of nationalism.

According to a release from the family, the remains of fallen Liberian stateman and clergyman will be returned to Liberia on, June 21 with military honors at the Roberts International Airport preceding official wake and funeral services to be held at the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia on Thursday, June 22nd, and 23rd respectively.

Lloyd, who made his transition surrounded by family and loved ones including his wife of 60 years,. Emma Mitchell Lloyd, served as the former President of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, former Chaplain General of the Armed Forces of Liberia, and the first Director-General of the National Bureau of Veterans Affairs, Republic of Liberia

In his lifetime, Lloyd, was internationally recognized as a fearless and outspoken voice of reason during critical moments of crisis in Liberia. 

In the immediate aftermath of the 1980 military coup d’etat in Liberia, he was arrested and imprisoned for 2 years at the notorious Camp Belleh Yallah, in Lofa County for preaching sermons sharply critical of the wave of executions and human rights abuse carried out by the ruling People’s Redemption Council (PRC). 

Ten years later, at the onset of the civil war in Liberia in 1990, Lloyd again rose to the occasion and made the famous demand for peace talks between the Government of President Samuel Doe, and the National Patriotic Front to avert what he predicted would become a prolonged crisis with devastating ends to the nation.  

This advice, as wise as it seems in hindsight, was met with great rebuke by top leaders in government. He was threatened with execution and consequently forced to flee with his family to neighboring Cote d’Ivoire where he founded a safe zone and refuge center providing relief and resettlement opportunities for over 250,000 Liberian refugees fleeing the scourge of the Civil War.

Funeral Arrangements in Liberia for the late Rev. Dr. J. Edwin Lloyd, Sr: 

Official Arrival of Remains – Wednesday June 23, 2023 

Roberts Int’l Airport

Wake Keeping – Thursday June 22, 2023

Time: 5pm

Funeral - Friday June 23, 2023

Time: 10am

Venue:

Providence Baptist Church

Ashmun Street

Monrovia, Liberia

Repast Follows

Interment – Saturday, June 24, 2023

12:30 PM

Barclayville, Grand Bassa County