Meet Rev. Dr. Leoda Topps a native of Duck Hill, MS. She is the youngest child of Theoda Harrison McKinney Crowder and the late Aphrodite McKinney, Sr. She was married to Bobby L. Topps for 32 years and they had 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

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She is a graduate of Duck Hill High school, has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Mississippi Valley State University; a Master’s of Science Degree College of Education from Mississippi State University, a Doctor of Divinity from Jacksonville Theological Seminary, and is currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree program. The Reverend Dr. Leoda Topps taught school in the Winona Public Schools District for 17 years.  She has completed certification courses in Mental Health First Aid, Grief Support and First Responders of Mississippi.  She currently serves as a SHIP counselor for the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) with North Central Agency on Aging. 

  

She is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  She has pastored the following churches:  Rayburn Chapel, Mt. Herman, New Tuscahoma, Edwards Chapel, St. Peter and is currently the pastor of Avery Chapel.  She was the first female pastor at Mt. Herman, Edwards Chapel, and St. Peter

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Her service to the African Methodist Episcopal Church also includes:  North MS Conference Trustee, Conference Secretary, Bonner Campbell Trustee, Conference Coordinator for Women In Ministry, Secretary for the Eighth Episcopal District Women In Ministry, First Vice President for the Eighth Episcopal District Women In Ministry, Eight Episcopal District President of Women In Ministry (March 2010-July 2021), Chair of the Annual Conference Finance Committee, Member of the Annual Conference Finance Committee, Dean of the Conference Institute, Dean of the Board of Examiners Ministerial Training Board, Member of the Judicial Committee for the North MS Conference, Alternate Delegate to the 47th Session of the General Conference, Delegate to the 48th Session of the General Conference , Delegate to the 49th Session of General Conference,  Delegate to the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference, and she was elected as a Delegate to 51st Session of the General Conference

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