10 notable Christians who died in 2022
Calvin O. Butts III – Oct. 28, 2022
The Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, a prominent African American pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York City known for his social activism, died from cancer at the age of 73.
Serving as lead pastor at Abyssinian from 1989 to his death, Butts was known for social activism and for serving as president of the State University of New York College of Old Westbury on Long Island from 1999-2020.
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He earned many honors, including the United Negro College Fund’s Shirley Chisholm Community Service Award, the Medal for Distinguished Service from Teachers College of Columbia University and Man of the Year from the Morehouse College Alumni Association.
Cornel West, an African American scholar and left-wing political activist, took to Twitter earlier this year to offer his condolences, describing Butts as “my deep friend of over 40 years.”
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my very dear brother the great Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts lll,” West tweeted in October. “My love and respect for him are forever! God bless his precious wife Patricia and his family!”
