Preacher dies after giving sermon

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Members of a Virginia Beach church are mourning the sudden death of their pastor, who died after delivering a sermon.

 62-year-old Bishop Barnett K. Thoroughgood gave his last sermon at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ on Sunday morning. His daughter, Mekia Thoroughgood, told WAVY.com, "He was preaching the word. He said, 'Amen' and he went to his chair. He did not collapse. There weren't any screams. There weren't any panics going on."

Paramedics were not able to revive him.

Mekia went on to say, "My dad said he wanted to die preaching the word of God. He believed in holiness. He was a holiness preacher and he did exactly that. He passed away doing exactly what he lived for."  Mekia said her father "loved the people, loved helping, loved his family and he loved his wife."

The 2,000-member church was founded by Bishop Thoroughgood more than 40 years ago. He was active in the community, having served a term on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission. 

Bishop Thoroughgood's body will lie in state from noon to 6 p.m on Feb. 9 at the church, a memorial service will start at 6 p.m. On Feb. 10, a funeral service will be held at noon the Virginia Beach Convention Center, according to his daughter.