Booker, Jehonadab Anthony

Jehonadab Anthony Booker was born August 21, 1940, in Buckingham County, VA, the third child of ten to his parents, Hall and Mary Booker (née Wade). Jehonadab’s parents had been Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1938 and he was raised learning the teachings of the Bible. However, it was a number of years before he would become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Jehonadab was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools, worked for a time as a teenager and when he was 19 years old, enlisted and served for four years in the US Navy. While serving aboard a naval ship and feeling that his life might be in danger, he promised Jehovah (Ps. 83:18) that if He got him out of that situation, he would serve Him forever. When he arrived home on leave his father presented him with a gift of the Truth book. He read the book from cover to cover in one sitting and determined that the Biblical evidence given in that book was truly the truth. He came out of the military unharmed and after a bit of time, began seriously studying the Bible.

Through family connections he began spending time with, wooed and fell in love with, Gladys Diane Henderson, whom he married in 1970. From this union came Anthony, Stacye, and Kimberly. Jehonadab and Diane also cared for and raised Jehonadab’s nephew Nathaniel as their own.

To care for his family, Jehonadab worked as a crane operator. Then he took on extra training and became a certified class A welder, certified plumber, and pipe fitter at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point. After 39 years he retired. He later decided to drive a school bus for the Edgewood School system, which he enjoyed for a time. He worked hard and always did his best to provide well for his wife, whom he adored, and his children.

In 1971, Jehonadab dedicated his life to Jehovah and symbolized it through water baptism, becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. For a number of years, Jehonadab served as a Christian elder in the Northeast and then White Marsh Congregation.

Jehonadab loved his friends and his family and was often at the ready to enjoy a laugh, or to be generous—assisting family members or others or giving gifts without any fanfare or press. He would often share words of encouragement and wisdom ending with the words “I ain’t telling you what I heard, I’m telling you what I know!” or his often heartfelt “Stick close to Jehovah!” Jehonadab tried his best to live up to his dedication to Jehovah and had strong faith in God’s promise to wake those ‘sleeping in death’ in the resurrection. (1 Thessalonians 4:13; John 11:11-13) While groaning about the aches and pains of old age, he would often couple it with his strong faith in the time when God’s promise to get rid of pain and death and mourning would be a reality. He would say ‘Don’t worry if I close my eyes, Jehovah can wake me up’. (Revelation 21:3,4; Acts 24:15) And at that time he would have the opportunity to enjoy life forever. (Psalm 37:10,11&29)

Jehonadab was preceded in death by his wife Diane, and siblings Paul, Rachel, Diane, and Jerry.

Jehonadab leaves to mourn his son Tony (Crystal), and daughters Stacye and Kim. Grandchildren—Anthony, Camyron, Mykele, Johnathon (Mya), Erynn and Rhyan; brothers Frank (Margaret) and Timothy; sisters Dorothy, Isabel, Alice (Edward Jr) and a host of nieces, nephews and friends whom he loved and who loved him dearly.

In keeping with his wishes, Jehonadab will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.