Rev. Michael D. Broadnax, Sr.

Rev. Michael D. Broadnax, Sr. was born on August 13, 1957, in Reidsville, NC to the parents of Rev. John T. and Mrs. Evon Broadnax. He received his heavenly wings on June 10, 2025, at his home in Franklin, TN.

As a youth, he was an outstanding athlete. He was a letterman in baseball, basketball, and football. Mike was an integral part of Tabor City’s 1973 state 2A runner-up football team.

He was well educated. He graduated from Tabor City High School in 1975. Mike attended North Carolina A&T State University, Wilberforce University, and the University of Louisville. He graduated from Kentucky State University and Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

A year after he graduated from high school, he accepted his call to the gospel ministry. His initial sermon on July 11, 1976, at Pike Creek A.M.E. Church in Burgaw, NC was entitled, “First Things First.” Rev. Broadnax was ordained an itinerant deacon and elder by Bishop Howard Thomas Primm in 1978. He was ordained as an itinerant deacon at his home conference, the Kentucky Annual Conference. One week later he was ordained an itinerant elder at the West Kentucky Annual Conference held at Bowling Green, KY.

Rev. Broadnax’s ministerial career spanned 49 years, 36 of which were in the active pastorate. His pastoral assignments include Trinity A.M.E. Church, Louisville, KY 1978-1980. St. John A.M.E. Church, Louisville, KY, March-August 1980. St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, Midway, KY, 1980-82. Bethel A.M.E. Church, Boneyville, KY, 1982-83. St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Columbia, TN 1983-1990. Youngs Chapel A.M.E. Church, Louisville, KY 1990-93. Bethel A.M.E. Church, Knoxville, TN 1993-2004. Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Nashville, TN 2004-2013. St. James A.M.E. Church, Memphis, TN 2013-16.

Rev. Broadnax was known as an innovative pastor who established new and revived ministries wherever he went. He was a pioneer of the audio-visual ministry in the 13th Episcopal District, establishing audio-video ministries at St. Paul, Columbia, Youngs Chapel, Louisville, and Bethel, Knoxville. All three churches also had weekly radio broadcast.

Rev. Broadnax instituted the celebration of Kwanzaa during the first seven Sundays of the year. He did this to not forget our heritage. The celebration on the seventh Sunday with a karamu feast. This celebration grew at such a rate that it was eventually moved to a local school.

Rev. Broadnax was also known for his powerful preaching and evangelism. This led to exponential church growth both spiritually and numerically. It also led the birthing of over 25 sons and daughters in the ministry. He was also a strong advocate for the youth of the church which resulted in successful and strong youth programs. Other accomplishments include the complete renovation of the sanctuary at St. Paul, Columbia and the liquidation of the mortgage 10 years in advance at Greater Bethel, Nashville.

Rev. Broadnax had a love for music and made it his mission to make sure his churches had strong music ministries. In many of his churches he instituted the use of new instruments such as drums, guitars, and saxophones. At Bethel, Knoxville he named the church’s musicians J.A.M. - Jesus’s Anointed Musicians. The Rejoice Choir was revived at Greater Bethel, Nashville. He was overjoyed to establish musicians at St. James, Memphis.

The combined choirs are represented today in this celebration. Knoxville, TN “The Chancellor Choir”, Memphis, TN “The Starks Ensemble”, and Nashville, TN “The Rejoice Choir”.

Rev. Broadnax also served the church on the connectional level as a delegate to the A.M.E. General Conference in 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. He was an alternate delegate in 1984, 1988, & 1996. Rev. Broadnax served on the General Board of the A.M.E. Church from 2004 to 2012. At the conference level he served as treasurer for the East Tennessee and Tennessee Annual Conferences. He served as a conference trustee in the West Kentucky, East Tennessee, and Tennessee Annual Conferences. Rev. Broadnax was a member of the Board of Examiners in the West Kentucky, East Tennessee, and Tennessee Annual Conferences. He served as the chairman of the East Tennessee Conference Board of Examiners.

Rev. Broadnax’s last pastorate was St. James, Memphis. He was extremely excited about building the ministry there and was looking forward to leading the congregation in building a new edifice. At the time of his illness the church had begun the process of finding a location for the new St. James.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John T. and Mrs. Evon Broadnax. He leaves to mourn and celebrate his life and legacy, his wife of 41 years, Charlotte Cooke Broadnax. His legacy includes his daughters, Yolanda (Chad) Walden of Kannapolis, NC, Gordonyale Johnson-Tulloch of Lexington, KY, Elder Michelle Broadnax of Franklin, TN and his son, Michael (Ashley) Broadnax, II. Mike was a cherished grandfather to Dorian (Sadie) Galbreath, Anyla Galbreath, ShaDiamond Tulloch, Ja’Malachi Tulloch, Brooklynn Broadnax, Donathan Tulloch, Zaya Walden, Jaylie Walker, Michael Broadnax, III, Nuri Broadnax and Maverick Broadnax (on the way). He was a loving great-grandfather to Luca Galbreath and Alphonse Galbreath. Mike is survived by his brother, Minister Timothy (Min. Carren) Broadnax, sister-in-laws, Donna Stallard, Yolanda Cooke, and Angela (Greco) Perry, nephews, Thomas (Judy) Stallard, Jr., Theo (Tomneka) Stallard, & Brandon Wade, nieces, Sunshyne Perry, Thomiyah Stallard & Imani Broadnax, adopted daughter, Chaunda Brown & family. Special extended family, Dr. Paula Michelle Wyatt, Minister Lorraine Burnett and family, Rev. Dr. Charlene Boone and family, Rev. Donaldson Jones, Rev. James Owens, Sharron Blackstock and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.