Overseer Louise Kiniel

Overseer Louise Kiniel of Pinehurst NC, transitioned to be with the Lord, on Saturday August 30, 2025, at the age 86. She was surrounded by her loving family, in the comfort of her home.

Louise was born December 29th, 1938, in Rocky Mount North Carolina, to the late Samuel Conyers and the late Mabel Lee Ricks. She was raised with, and adored her loving stepfather, the late Theodore Ricks Sr.

Louise knew from an early age that God heard her prayers. She loved going to church, and singing. Even though she claimed salvation at an early age, she said she truly encountered God and changed her life during the early years of marriage. She and her husband, the Late Bishop Lynn Kiniel, gave God their all, and God made them an anointed, power-filled couple.

Her passion and fire for God grew, and in 1981, she was licensed to preach under the late Bishop E.A. Jackson, at St. Matthew’s Freewill Baptist Church, in Eastwood NC. When her husband was called to pastor, she stood boldly beside him, and they labored to win souls.

For 30 plus years, Louise stood with her husband as he pastored Lakeview Chapel FWB Church, and Shady Grove FWB Church. In 1997, they heard a voice from heaven say it was time to leave the Freewill Baptist denomination, and trust God to build the ministry He desired. They prayed for a name, and the Lord gave them The Synagogue of Christ Church Inc., with a brand new edifice built in 2000. Their motto was, “Who Did It, God Did It!”

In 2007, Bishop Kiniel appointed Louise as the Pastor of Synagogue of Christ church, where she stood declaring the Word of God. She would often tell church goers, “Anything dead should be buried! So Wake up in here!!” She didn’t believe in having dry church! Elevation came again for Louise in her seasoned age, and she became Overseer of the Synagogue of Christ Church, an honor of which she held high, and honored God with until He called her home.

One of the last songs she sang at home, is the blueprint of how she lived, and instructed her entire family to do…WALK IN THE LIGHT!!! Overseer Kiniel truly lived her life to live again. She was an incredibly loving wife, mother, grand-mother, sister, aunt and friend. Her children truly called her blessed!

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, The Honorable Bishop Lynn Kiniel, sisters, Christine Gray (Joe), Dorothy Lee Ricks, Dolly Ferguson (Walter), brothers Julius “Ned” Battle and Theodore “June” Roosevelt Ricks.

Survivors include her loving children, Sheilda Denice Kiniel of Winston Salem NC, Lemuiel Kiniel (Marnie) of Winston Salem NC, and Valerie Leann Blue (Torez) of Lexington NC. She cherished her honorary sons, Bishop Norris Mills, Andre Taylor, and Martin Lee Taylor, and also her honorary daughters, Stephanie English and Lady Dee Mills, grandchildren, Tia Monai Parker of Charlotte NC, Asia Monique Kiniel of Southern Pines NC, Eric Marquel Brown of Winston Salem NC, Corey Javon Hayes of Winston Salem NC, Malik Banner of Greensboro NC, James Hickman of Winston Salem NC, Leo Anthony Williams III of Lexington NC, and Torez Xavier Blue of Lexington NC, great grandchildren, Janiece Kiniel, Corey Hayes Jr, Viviana Brown, Kiyanna Brown, Legacy Brown, Ezra Lineberger, Abel Lineberger, Jahseh Banner, James Hickman Jr., and Jovie Hickman. She adored her brother Thomas Roosevelt Ricks (Mildred) of Rocky Mount NC. She cherished all of her nieces, nephews, and friends. God granted one of her heart’s desires, and that was to build a special bond with her oldest nephew Julius (Peter Pete) Hill.

The Home Going Celebration for Overseer Kiniel will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 1PM, at St. Peter, The Rock in West End NC, with Bishop Norris Mills officiating. The Interment will follow at the Eastwood Community Cemetery in West End NC.

Online condolences may be made at www.tdbluefsl.com

*For all who are ordering flowers from local florist, please have them sent to the church the day of the service*

Torez D. Blue Funeral Service Licensee will be handling the final arrangements.