Rev. Dr. Henry Molden Sr.

Reverend Doctor Henry Ernest Molden, Sr, Staff Sergeant Retired, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, passed away on March 7, 2025 at Ochsner Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rev, as he was affectionately known to many, was born June 1, 1927 to Freddie and Magnolia Molden in White Castle, Louisiana. He moved to New Orleans to further his education. Unknowingly, it was destiny that the most beautiful girl across the street would become his wife; his eternal love, Helen Marie Joseph Molden. They enjoyed 75 years of wedded bliss. To GOD be the glory for their union. A Soldier on the Battlefield for His Country! After graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Army. Sgt Molden participated in several combat missions in Europe and Asia, and he had many amazing stories of his time there. He wrote incredible letters home to his wife and children, detailing the antics of his fellow soldiers, the scenery in the area, and very edited descriptions of the action he encountered. The U.S. Army recognized Sgt Molden for his honorable service with a Purple Heart, specifically for his heroic action in Vietnam, where he pulled another soldier to safety. Sgt Molden achieved many military first, to include being a Triple Nickel member, the first Black Jump Master and first Black Special Forces soldier and a member of the Golden Knights Paratrooper Team, an Army Ranger, a member of the 101st Screaming Eagles Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division and the 7th Special Forces Green Beret Unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following his retirement from the military, he began working for the United States Postal Service. While there, he held various positions until he retired. A Soldier in the Army of the LORD! Dr. Molden earned his Doctor of Divinity degree from the Western Assembly Bible Institute, Newton Grove, North Carolina. His MS from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana and an undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Dr Molden pastored several churches in New Orleans to include: Oriental Baptist Church, First Evangelist Missionary Baptist Church, founded Love and Peace Baptist Church, as well as My Brother’s Keeper Church, Fayetteville, NC. If you asked several people who “Rev” was, they’d all give distinct narratives – A teacher, a Bible scholar, a social worker, a politician, a leader, a doctor, a preacher’s preacher and a jack-of-all trades. Quite possibly he was all of them. But, what he definitely was, was a narrator and a storyteller. No matter the occasion, Rev had a story, and more likely, a joke to tell. Dr. Molden is predeceased by his parents, Freddie and Magnolia Molden, siblings, Freddie Molden, Jr., Ethel Hunter, Alfred Molden, Mary Craig and his son, Gregory L Molden, MD. He is survived by his wife, Helen, his daughter Deborah Molden Underwood (Levi), his sons, Henry E Molden, Jr (Sabrina) and Karl B Molden Sr (Sherita), as well as seven grandchildren, Angelo, Sean and Gyasi Underwood, Jamal and Kwame Molden, Brandon and Karl Molden and nine great grandchildren. His is a legacy of untiring love and dedication to his family. The visitation will be held at Mount Tabor Baptist Church, 4128 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122, Rev Dr Ronnie M Vinson, Pastor, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 9 – 10 am. The funeral service will begin at 10 am. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122.