Bishop Robert Henry Stallings, Sr., our beloved treasure and man of God, peacefully passed away Dec. 28, 2018 in New Haven.
He was born Jan. 30, 1928 to Reverend Enoch and Alice Stallings and passed away at the age of 90. In 1953, he married Myrtle Audrey Stallings from Waterbury, and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Bishop Stallings served as pastor of the New Haven Chapter of the Church of God & Saints of Christ, located at 109 Beers Street, New Haven, for 39 years (1975 – 2014). He was the CEO and presiding bishop of the International Church of God & Saints of Christ.
He is survived by his loving wife Myrtle, their children Robert Stallings Jr. (Debra), Michael Stallings and Myrna (Robert) Harrison, his daughter Wanda Roberts, sister Phyllis Grice, brother Joseph Stallings and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Bishop Stallings served in the United States Army and also owned and operated Hi-Glo Cleaning Service. He later retired from the West Haven Public School System after having served for 15 years.
His love of music established him as an accomplished singer, composer, and arranger. Bishop Stallings performed with many world-renowned musicians, including the Dixie Hummingbirds, Mahalia Jackson, and Sam Cooke. Since entering the ministry, Bishop traveled the world and preached in Israel, England, Japan, South Korea, Jamaica, Canada, Bermuda, and South Africa. His message always remained the same – “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
In September 2010, he journeyed to South Africa to dedicate the Robert H. Stallings Dormitory in Empangeni, South Africa. He was a seminary school graduate and recipient of numerous honors and awards. Bishop Stallings also served as Vice-President of the New Haven Clergy Association. On Nov. 9, 2014, Beers Street in New Haven was renamed Bishop Robert H. Stallings Sr. Corner. Bishop Stallings was a highly requested preacher and lecturer and served as advisor/mentor to pastors and churches across the United States and South Africa.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Bishop R. H. Stallings will lie in State for an open casket viewing at his home church, the Church of God & Saints of Christ, 109 Beers Street, New Haven, CT 06511 on Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A horse and carriage processional will depart from his home church to Trinity Temple at 1:30 p.m. Funeral service with open casket viewing will be held Sunday at 3 p.m., at Trinity Temple Church of God In Christ, 285 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven.
Interment will take place on Monday at 10 a.m., at Hamden Plains Cemetery, Hamden. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St., New Haven. To leave a message of comfort for the Stallings family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com.
