Methodist pastor, shot and killed in Memphis

The Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, a pastor and leader in the United Methodist Church, was shot and killed in Memphis, Memphis Theological Seminary announced.

“We are devastated to share that Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams was shot and killed (Monday) afternoon,” Jody Hill, president of Memphis Theological Seminary, wrote on Facebook.

“Autura was the district superintendent of the Metro District in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference, the pastor of Capleville United Methodist Church, and a Memphis Theological Seminary alum,” he wrote.

“She was a wife, mother, and a devoted friend to many. She led Formation classes at (Memphis Theological Seminary) and Signposts groups for the Center for Faith and Imagination.”

“We join so many of you in shock and pain. Autura was a real light and a well of deep care. Personally, I saw in her the spiritual gift of hospitality. Autura was eager to embrace all of God’s children with a warm smile, gentle hug, or encouraging word. We grieve her loss and this senseless violence.”

Memphis Theological Seminary held a chapel prayer service in her memory that was broadcast on Facebook on Tuesday morning.

The Memphis Police Department posted on Twitter that police had responded to a shooting on Whitehaven Lane at 4:15 p.m. on Monday

A person was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, the Twitter post said.

The Twitter post didn’t identify the person who died, but the Whitehaven Lane address is associated with the slain pastor in property records.

The police were looking for three men in a four-door hatchback and asked anyone with information to call 901-528-2274.