Bishop Redfern II
(October 27, 1949 - January 16, 2026)
Viewing Location: Leevy's Funeral Home, 1831 Taylor Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Viewing Date & Time: Sunday, January 25, 2026 / 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. / Wake Service 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Location: Trinity Baptist Church, 2521 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Funeral Date & Time: Monday, January 26, 2026 / 11:00 A.M.
Interment Location: Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens, 2603 Two Notch Road, Columbia, South Carolina
in lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Bishop Redfern II’s lifelong devotion to ministry and education, the family invites those who wish to honor his memory to support the work to which he devoted his life—the Ecumenical Church and University. Your prayers are deeply appreciated, and his vision and work will continue.
Support may be shared here: https://buy.stripe.com/eVq7sN5LH1sr6BhdC5g7e02
Bishop Redfern He Help change Valley park in 1974 God Bless Y’all
LESTER MCKINLEY Bishop Redfern Help change Valley Park
The only constant in the life of Redfern was change .
We pray for the Redfern Family and Friends. We pray that God would strengthen and comfort them in this time of bereavement. 🙏🏾 He truly touched and influenced many lives.
Redfern Deuce, you were committed to the cause of equal rights and being treated with dignity and respect. Thank you and rest in peace.
To Bishop Redfern II family we pray that your are comforted and know that his work was not in vain, for we all have gained from his presence on this earth.
Peace and Love
Prayers and condolences to you Brian on the passing of your father
Praying 🙏
Prayers & love to the game during this difficult time! Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bishop Redfern. 💔
Sending my deepest condolences to the family. Luella so sorry to hear about your loss. May God continue to be with you and your family through this time of grief.
My sincere sympathy and condolences to Bishop RedFern II Family and Friends may he rest in peace 🕊🕊🌹❤️🙏🏾
Thank you, Bishop Redfern II for caring and your mentorship. We will miss you, but we know that you are rejoicing now. You are where you want to be and we know who loves you most. Dr. Luella, know that our love, prayers, and thoughts are with you. Thank you for your love and kindness.
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Bishop Redfern, II. May God’s presence bring you comfort during this time and always.
To the family of Bishop Redfern II, City Light & the most precious of all his wife, sister Luella. We the Riverside Community Dev. Corp, Esther Woman of RCDC, the former students of RCDC, and many other saluda beneficiaries. We are deeply sadden, hurt, and lost for adequate words to express our immeasurable loss. We pray that God will forever bless Bishop Redfern II’s family, friends, and colleagues. Much love and respect for my friend and brother in the struggle.
-RCDC Boardchairman James M. Holloway senior
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss. Luella, you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I pray you find comfort and strength as you walk through this period of grief. May God grant you serenity and peace in the days ahead.
💖 “A shepherd’s heart, a servant’s hands. Your unwavering faith and compassion touched lives, spreading love and hope. Your legacy of kindness and devotion will inspire generations. The Esther Women Cameroon will miss
you. Rest in Glory.
My sincere condolences to the family of Honourable Bishop Redfern ll
It has been my honor to know and work under the leadership of Bishop Redfern II. My heart aches for the Redfern family and for the countless lives touched by his service, vision, and faith. His leadership set a standard that will not be forgotten. I look forward to continuing his legacy and upholding the work and values he poured into this community. Praying God’s peace, comfort, and strength over your family. Please know you are in my prayers during this time of sorrow.
With deepest sympathy, United Way of the Midlands extends our condolences and gratitude as you honor a life so meaningfully lived. Bishop Redfern was a servant-leader in every sense—someone who inspired others through faith, humility, and a steadfast commitment to caring for his neighbors.
We will always be thankful for the impact he made through United Way of the Midlands over many years of involvement. As a former board member and a dedicated supporter of our mission, he helped advance the work of bringing people and resources together to improve lives throughout the Midlands. His leadership was marked by generosity, wisdom, and a genuine belief in the dignity and potential of every person.
May you find comfort in the love that surrounds you and in the countless lives Bishop Redfern touched through his ministry, service, and example. His legacy will continue in the people and community he strengthened.
With heartfelt condolences,
United Way of the Midlands
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bishop! He made a true difference in so many lives! His life was a true mirror of godliness to all he served! I’ll never forget our first meeting as students elected to be the first African Americans to attend the Upward Bound Program to attend and integrate the University of South Carolina. Our tutelage was under Mrs.Pilot! Thanks for all the memories you honored God and humanity tremendously!
Am deeply saddened. God’s general,rest easy Sir.
I will always remember your visit to Cameroon and the talk you had with us on the 18th of December 2022, the concept you taught of “maximizing the minimum” stuck to me ever since.
Thank you Sir for being an example for millions to emulate.
Praying for Bishop Luella,the children,and the rest of the family
Bishop was an incredible example of taking the gospel to the world and to the least of them. I am honored to be supported and mentored by an incredible world changer and one of God’s most decorated and esteemed warriors. My sincerest condolences to Bishop Luella Redfern and the entire family. I pray God’s comfort the best way He knows how.
What a friend you were. The people of Cameroon croes a lost of a leader.
I remember our every Saturday morning breakfast for two years. Good by Bishop. Please be watching over us. Your friend Alex
To the family of Bishop Redfern II, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Bishop. His incredible influence and dedication to the community is a testament of his leadership and love. We thank God for his life and service to humanity. Keep the faith.
Brandon P. Brown
So sorry to hear of Bishop Redfern II’s passing. So many memories from our times at Christ Central, New York mission trip and the City Light breakfasts with the Grimaud’s!! May God continue to bless and keep you all during this time!
My deepest condolences to the family of the “Honorable Bishop Redfern ll ; The BRACEY Family….Nathaniel Bracey.
I have known Redfern II for more than three decades and am deeply saddened by his passing. I admired his unwavering fight for racial equality, his commitment to spreading the gospel, and the way he lived his faith with courage and purpose.
Most of all, I will always remember his deep love for his wife, Luella, and his children. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith, justice, and service. My prayers are with Luella, the family, and all who loved him.
Our late parents, Joe and Gladys Grimaud, were very close to Bishop Redfern. Their affiliation began many years ago during the CityLight/Tony Evans Crusade in the Williams-Brice Stadium in May of 1997. They worked together in ministry over the years with both the Redferns and the Manleys. I can only imagine what jubilation is going on in heaven now that the Bishop has joined Dr. Manley and my parents, making it a gospel quartet! 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Condolences to Bishop Redfern’s Family, The Family have my Sincere Sympathy. Joan Golston Gray,
My Sincerest Condolences to this spiritual father. Bishop, you will definitely be missed
Sorry for your lost ,Dr Sharon Denise McMillian P O Box 30054 Columbia S.C , enjoyed the work & fellowship when ever our group met with him & service 10 years, 1/25/2026
Sorry to hear about your loss of our wonderful classmate 🙏
My Condolences to you and your family Luella, praying for you all. Jasmine keep your head up baby girl.
Although my heart weeps, my soul rejoices. Today, I honor the life and legacy of our beloved Presiding Bishop Redfern 11 mentor , friend, encourager, partner, and ministry companion, Bishop Redfern, who has gone to be with the Lord. His radiant presence will be deeply missed, yet I find peace in knowing he now rests in the eternal embrace of our Creator—immersed in the mystery, beauty, and glory of life beyond. My heartfelt condolences go out to Dr Bishop Luella and the entire Ecumenical Church of Christ world wide, Cross style family. Together, we celebrate Bishop Redfern 11 remarkable journey and the visionary, leadership, and encouragement leaves behind—a legacy of faith, joy, and devotion that continues to inspire us all.
Shalom, love, joy, and peace to everyone as we remain united in the everlasting love of God.
My sincere Condolences to Bishop Redfern wife and children. Also his Siblings. Bishop Redfern was a Mentor of mine. I learned so much from him in turns of Servitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Bishop Redfern leaves us with a Legacy of Leadership, Servitude to the Kingdom of God and Dedication to Education. This World is going to miss this Giant who gave to the World not only this country! Family keep the Faith. Our God is Able to see you through this Valley experience.
My love and prayers go out to the family. From Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bowens of N.J.
Such a giant & Godly man! He will surely be missed! I met him in 1969 @ Benedict, he has always greeted me with a smile & hug when I would see him. Prayers, Condolences & Love to Lady Luella, his family, Worldly church family & all who knew him!
To the family of Bishop Redfern II , you are in our prayers, Bishop Redfern II is a true servant , always ready to respond to the call of God, willing to lay down his life and resources to build the kingdom of God, the church in Kenya will miss you greatly
Our condolences and prayers.
In 1969 I remember traveling one Saturday morning from Voorhees College Denmark to Columbia SC to participate in my first Civil Rights March, Redfern II was the leader of that March to protest the Tapp’s Department Store on Main Street for its lack of hiring blacks.
My sincere condolences to the Redfern II family.
Sincere condolences to Randy, my Elementary School, classmate, and all of Bishop Redfern II’s family and friends. I was always so proud to hear and read about all the accomplishments and his dedication to community service. Rest in heavenly peace, Bishop Redfern II. Praying for God‘s grace, comfort and healing to all of the family.
Sending condolences to the Redfern family, his family was our neighbors in meadow lake, I used to go with them to march in his rallies back in the 70’s. Take your rest.
My condolences to the Redfern family, his family were u next dor neighbors in meadow lake, I used to go with them to march in his rallies, back in the 70’s. Take your rest.
I remember our childhood days when you and my cousin Keith played together at my grandmother’s house on Haskell Avenue. Rest in peace,Jimmy.
What are you Doing here on this obituary page ? My Brother this was not in the plans for this new year, we talked on Tuesday as you got your hair cut and shave about the New year 2026, a Year of New beginnings ✨️ 🙌, Not knowing that God had a plan to take you Home on Friday. OMG !! Who knew this Day was so soon to come. SMH !!
My Deepest Condolences goes out to the family for this Great loss to them and this community. Bishop Redfern was one of my favorite customers, he was a Delight and Truckload of laughter and support to me as his Batber and Friend. He will be forever remembered for the Joy he gave to so many.
I Thank God for the time we shared in the Barbers Chair. STAND TALL My Brother at the Gate , Our God will be waiting ! Rest in Power ! Until we see you again ! We pray !
Deacon Nathaniel ‘Rev’ Stewart
My sincere condolences to Randy and the Redfern family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.🙏🙏
To the Redfern Family,
On behalf of Pastor Douglas Sanders, First Lady Nadya Sanders, and the Greater Nations Church family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of Bishop Redfern II.
We know that no words can fully express the sorrow of this moment, yet we pray you feel the comfort and peace of God surrounding you. May His presence be near, His strength uphold you, and His love carry you through each day ahead.
Bishop Redfern II’s life leaves a lasting legacy of faith, leadership, and impact. His influence will continue to live on through the lives he touched and the example he set. We honor his memory and stand with you in prayer during this time of grief.
Please know that you are not alone. You are covered in prayer, love, and support.
With sincere sympathy and love,
Pastor Douglas Sanders
First Lady Nadya Sanders
The Greater Nations Church Family
To the family of Bishop Redfern II.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Bishop was a customer when I was Asst. Manager at Kinko’s for 15 yrs. He was such a force to be reckoned with. He was always making me laugh and often shared his wisdom with me and my children. Praying that the Father wraps you in His loving arms comforting and giving you peace.
Elaine Crumblin
Bishop Redfern II was an outstanding humanitarian. At a young age he became active in Columbia’s Civil Rights movement. He lived a life of community service which extended beyond Columbia and the United States. Thru his leadership and with the help of worship centers, and local religious leaders he was,instrumental in improving lives thru education and community transformation. He helped people to empower their communities. His Legacy is his commitment to making the World a better place. We are forever grateful for his service, and we will keep his spirit ALIVE. Sincere prayers and strength to his family.
My deepest condolences and prayers are with the family 🙏🏾💙🙏🏾
Bishop was truly a gentle giant, a true friend and supporter of all of my campaigns.
He will be missed. My heart is saddened. Rest in Peace
My deepest condolences and prayers are with the family 🙏🏾💙🙏🏾
Bishop was truly a gentle giant, a true friend and supporter of all of my campaigns.
He will be missed. Rest in Peace
Sending Prayers
I wanted to express my condolences to the family of Bishop Redfern. He was a giant in our community and around the world for the work he performed on behalf of disenfranchised people and communities. He was a man of conviction and faith, and he maintained both of them throughout his life. I enjoyed my many interactions with him both as a friend, colleague, and spiritual leader. I will miss his wit and his perspective on the world, which was always entertaining and enlightening.
Get your rest, you have earned it. God bless you and your family.
Rest in peace, my brother🙏🏽
What a shock! For we know not the day or the hour; the only thing that we do know is that death is certain. Rest on my friend , you have done your work and you are ready for your crown. My sincere condolences to Randy and the rest of your loved ones.
Sending our condolences and Love to all the family
Condolences unto biological family, Spiritual family of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Might you rest in peace Bishop Redfern 2.
Thank you for your service
Jimmy! My life long friend. I was stunned and saddened when RANDY called gave me the news. It was just a couple of weeks ago that you took me back in time with a memory of some the many things we shared. Death is never timely,but as RANDY told me (Keith,you have to stay ready)REST in Heaven my friend. Keith and Family
My sincere condolences to the family of the Honorable Bishop Redfern II; “May the work you’ve done speak for you.”