Pastor ‘was one of the greats’

The Rev. Charles E. Booth was more than a “true shepherd to his flock” at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, a fellow Columbus pastor said Sunday.

“He was a profound preacher,” the Rev. Timothy Clarke said. “He was one of the great preachers of his generation, hands down.”

Booth, 72, died Saturday after what Clarke described as an illness of several months.

He was senior pastor at the Downtown church on East Main Street, where he had preached for more than 40 years.

“He was a true gentleman and a great friend,” said Clarke, pastor of the First Church of God. “Preachers all over the country are mourning him because of his friendship.”

Nana Watson, president of the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP, said Booth will be sorely missed.

“Not only was he a spiritual leader, but he was a civilrights advocate who fought against social injustices from his pulpit and in the community,” Watson said.

Columbus City Council tweeted its condolences Sunday, saying Booth “was a giant in the community, reaching beyond the pulpit as an activist on the issues of poverty, criminal justice and civil rights.”

Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said Booth was his pastor and he remembers his commanding, deep baritone voice and knowledge of the Bible.

“He was a brilliant teacher and preacher. He was known around the country,” Hardin said.

Booth also was considered influential in the community, serving on committees touching on issues concerning the police and education, Hardin said.

“You knew you wanted to get his engagement and buy-in because of the trust that the community had in his voice,” Hardin said.

A native of Baltimore, Booth earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C, a master’s in divinity Booth from Eastern Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and a doctorate of ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton. He received the Distinguished Ministry Award from United Theological Seminary in 2016.

In 1993, he founded the Mount Olivet Christian Academy, later renamed the Gloria S. Friend Christian Academy to honor its first administrator. The school continues to teach students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The Columbus Education Association awarded him the 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for his commitment to the issues of unemployment, homelessness, education and health.

Survivors include his wife, Crystal Washington Booth, and a daughter.

Viewings are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Mount Olivet. A service is planned for 11 a.m. Booth will be buried in Union Cemetery. Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home is handling arrangements.