Malcom C. Briley

Bishop Dr Malcom Conrad Briley II was born January 13, 1950 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the late Bertha Mae (Mack) and MC Briley. As the eldest of 13 children, he spent his youth picking cotton as a sharecropper and helping care for his younger siblings. Bishop Briley moved from his hometown to Ohio in 1968 where he met the love of his life, the late First Lady Debbie N. (McGee) Briley. They both had left their hometowns in search of better opportunities. They found one another thanks to Bishop Briley's dear friendship with Jim McGee, First Lady Debbie's older brother.

Bishop Briley was born again and baptized with the Gift of the Holy Spirit in 1969. He attended the Ohio Dominican College 1970-1972, Columbus OH. After a three-year courtship, Bishop Briley married First Lady Debbie on August 8, 1972 and became the parents of three lovely children: Malcom III, Anika, and Ashley.

With the support of his loving wife and family, Bishop Briley received his Evangelistic License in 1973 and accepted his call from God to serve in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ministered with Bishop Christine C. McGee from 1979 until 1991 when he and his wife began their own church, The Word Outreach Evangelistic Ministries (T.W.O.E.M).

Bishop Briley's ability to bring the Word of God was showcased when he worked on a ministering circuit from 1989 until 1990. He was faithful in the work of his ministry despite economic toils and spiritual hardships. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, he spoke the message of JESUS CHRIST THE LORD to God's people, through Godly inspired sermons and songs in churches, in night clubs, on cities' streets, through prayer and counseling, and community outreach.

Bishop Briley was a great humanitarian. His life in the ministry allowed him to bring comfort to those who were in need. He did not hesitate to answer the call of others or be there for those who needed his support. He stood as an example for his family and church, of what it meant to be filled with the Word of God. People whom he'd never met could see His light, even when he did not introduce himself as a Man of God.

When not ministering, Bishop Briley spent time with his wife, children, siblings and parents. He enjoyed time cooking on his Weber grill and sharing his infectious smile as he told stories of his youth. He was a country boy at heart who loved horticulture and the beauty of nature. His love of traveling meant he frequently took his wife and children on road trips, including their often-yearly trips to Canada, Mississippi and Louisiana.

When in Louisiana there were three guaranteed destinations: First Lady Briley's family home in Independence, Three Stooges in Hammond and The Rowan Family. Bishop Jackie and First Lady Linda Rowan were dear confidants to both Bishop and First Lady Briley. They often spent hours talking and fellowshipping with one another. They encouraged one another in all aspects of their ministries and lives.

After retiring from the US Post Office, Bishop Briley was able to devote more of his time to the ministry, though he still took time out for family and to pursue personal goals. Those who knew him, knew he had a helping spirit and would not be surprised that he completed coursework to become a Home Health Aid in 2010. This new skill allowed him to minister to both the bodies and souls of those around him.

During the last few years, his ministry had allowed him to bring THE WORD to those who were incarcerated and to fellowship with many churches in Columbus OH and beyond. He stayed faithful in preaching THE WORD by going live on Facebook during times he could not gather at church.

These qualities and achievements made Bishop Dr. Malcom C Briley a loving and caring husband, father, brother and friend until his passing at the age of 71 on December 14, 2021 at Mt Carmel East Hospital, Columbus OH surrounded by his children.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters Mary Ann Briley and Dorothy Ann Briley Lynch; and brothers David Briley and Donald Briley.

"Thank you for having my daughters." were some of the last words Bishop Briley spoke to his loving wife as they both were being cared for by them during the days leading up to their hospitalization. During a time when it was hard for him to speak, his eldest daughter at his feet, the other assisting close by, he still took time to look at the gift that was his helpmate.

He was followed in death by his loving wife, First Lady Debbie N. Briley on January 5, 2022.

He is survived and missed by his children, Malcom Briley III (Shannon), Anika Briley, and Ashley Briley all of Columbus OH; brothers, Ernest Briley (Mary), Columbus OH, Curtis Jaron Briley (Lisa) Columbus OH, Ronald Ray Briley, Calvin Ray Briley (Anna, Columbus OH; and sisters Doris Jean Briley Scott, Lillie Ruth Briley Neal, Bertha Mae Briley-Salter, as well as grandchildren Erika, Malcom IV, Dionna, Micaelyn, Paige, Jerrica, Savonna, Sumara, Izaiah, some long standing church members including Assistant Pastor Benny Thompson, Sister Diana Saunders, Deacon Corey Scott, Sister Jakeema Scott, Sister Hazel Comer, Brother George White and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

JESUS IS REACHING FOR YOU, WILL YOU REACH FOR JESUS?