Reverend Thurman A. Hargrove Sr., 85, longtime Worcester Baptist Minister and community activist, passed away peacefully into the arms of the lord, Monday, April 7th, 2014 with his family gathered by his bedside.

     Rev. Hargrove, known by all, and loved by most, was a devoted minister helping others up to his death, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on October 10, 1928, one of 14 children of Thurman and Isabella Hargrove. After the death of his Mother his Father married Oalia who raised him from a child. He grew up in Tuscaloosa, attended school in Taylorville, AL, completed seminary classes in Northport, AL and Northborough, MA, attended The Urban Training Center in Chicago, IL and took courses in Police Relations. Rev. Hargrove received his license to minister on May 23, 1948 by the Mount Galilee Baptist Church in Northport, AL. Ten years later he received his ordination in Northport, AL. He moved his family to Worcester in 1958 where he founded the Second Baptist Church in the Mission Chapel on Summer Street. With the downtown construction of Medical City, Rev. Hargrove moved his Second Baptist Church ministry to quarters on Hammond Street where it remains today. Always a man to help others, Rev. Hargrove took great pride in ministry and helping those less fortunate and down on their luck. He and his wife took in foster children and people with no shelter, formed the Prison Ministry, and established a sober house for those afflicted with alcohol and drug addictions. He founded the Teen program at Second Baptist Church on Summer Street, the United Five Council of Churches in Worcester, the Second Baptist Food Bank and helped establish a sister church in Ayer, MA. He was a member of many committees including; the Human Rights Committee of the city of Worcester, Worcester Redevelopment Community Board, State Employment Community System and also served as a community representative to the Department of Education. Rev. Hargrove was instrumental in ensuring jobs and housing for low income and minority people. He also advocated for many individuals in the judicial system.

     Rev Hargrove is survived by his wife of 65 years, whom he married on July 23, 1948, Mary Magdalene (Hughes) Hargrove, his six children, Barbara Murray of North Carolina, Thurman Hargrove Jr.( Debra) of Webster, Beatrice Charles(Rev. Kim Charles), Mary “Maggie” Hargrove, John Hargrove(Angela) all of Worcester and a foster daughter, Linda Fischer of Cape Cod, three brothers, Lum Hargrove Of Worcester, Cliff Hargrove and Lee Hargrove of Alabama, a sister Lottie Ball of Boston, and a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great- great grandchildren and many other extended family members and friends who loved and followed his ministry. He was predeceased by his son Willie C Hargrove.

     Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 15th at 11:30 am in Belmont AME Zion Church, 55 Illinois Street, Worcester, MA 01601. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. A period of calling hours and personal reflection will be held from 9:30 am to the time of the service. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to serve the family in its time of need.