Senior Assistant Pastor Benjamin E. Fomby

District Elder Benjamin E. Fomby entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family in Lansing, Michigan. Age 73 years. He was born Saturday, November 15, 1952, in Ragland, Alabama, the son of Cleveland and Ophelia Fomby.

Ben received his primary and secondary educational certificates through educational institutions in the state of Alabama. In 1972, District Elder Fomby left the state of Alabama and moved to the state of Michigan to seek more opportunities and advancement. On March 27, 1975, at the age of 25, District Elder Fomby was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at Bethlehem Temple Church in Lansing, Michigan. His ministerial career began in 1979 under the Pastorate of Apostle David W. Maxwell of the Eliezer Temple Church of Lansing.

On August 10, 1984, District Elder Fomby was ordained as Elder of the C.O.O.L.J.C. of the Apostolic Faith. District Elder Fomby’s spiritual assignment started with his administration work in the youth department, which would lead to his presidency of the youth department on the local and state level. He has also served as the youth department president of the Illinois – Wisconsin Diocese, the International A.B.Y.P.U treasurer, international youth treasurer and the international youth congress vice – president of the C.O.O.L.J.C.

District Elder Fomby has been saved for 50 years. Retired from General Motors after 33 years of service and has been married to his lovely wife Vanessa for 54 years. This blessed union created four daughters and one son. District Elder Fomby was the senior assistant pastor of the Eliezer Temple church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith until 2023.

District Elder Fomby excelled in his many accomplishments through his continued labor and service to the Lord, which speaks volumes to those that know him and met him. He optimized the meaning and revelation to the term’s dedication, commitment and faithfulness to the body of Christ and his ministry. This is a blessed and highly favored man of God.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife, Vanessa Fomby; 3 daughters, Tori Fomby, Keyla (Edmundo) Fomby-Finley, and Benika Fomby; grandchildren, Jewel Fomby-Giles, Empryss Fomby-Giles, Michael J. (Brittany) Fomby II, MacKenzie Gilliam, LaVell Fomby, Ke’Mari Jackson-Fomby, Christopher Ford, MèKyale Fomby and Aneita Williams; great-grandchildren, Honor Fomby, Jazell Fomby, Michael J. Fomby III and Ka’Yon Jackson-Fomby; 4 sisters, Dollie Ragland, Delois (Samuel) Farrow-Garland, Edith (Lonnie) Hendrix and Lottie Fomby; brother, Raymond Fomby; 5 sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Fomby, Doris Looney, Gertrude Looney, Ruby Forman, and Mary (Ollie) Collins; 2 brothers-in-law, Virgil (Katie) Looney, Sr. and Johnny (Rosetta) Looney; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children as well as many other loved and cherished family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tamera Fomby, son, Michael J. Fomby; parents, Cleveland and Ophelia Fomby; sisters, Georgia Wright-Fomby and Leola Sturkey; brothers, Oscar Fomby, Orbin Fomby, Roy Fomby, Lonnie Fomby, Jimmy Fomby, Kenny Fomby, and Bobby Fomby.