By Rebecca Billman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FINNEYTOWN - Bishop Joe D. Sizemore was still in his teens when he accepted the call to minister while growing up in Western Kentucky.

After high school, he dedicated himself to full-time evangelism and went to Texas to preach.

There he met and married Jacquelyn Bobo in 1952.

The young couple began a joint ministry that brought them to Cincinnati as newlyweds 50 years ago today.

The Rev. Mr. Sizemore became pastor of the Covenant Apostolic Church (then known as the Full Gospel Church) affiliated with the Apostolic Pentecostal movement.

The Rev. Mr. Sizemore, 71, died of an apparent heart attack Wednesday at his home here. His years in Cincinnati were fruitful. Under his guidance, the congregation - which had about 100 members when he began leading it - grew until it had to build a new church on North Bend Road in 1960. They changed the name to the Carthage Apostolic Church.

The increase continued over the next 20 years and they broke ground on 22 acres in Finneytown in September 1980 - the present location of the Covenant Apostolic Church. At one time, the church had as many as 800 members and provided the basis for two new churches, according to the Rev. Mr. Sizemore's son, David, of College Hill.

The Rev. Mr. Sizemore was appointed bishop of the church in 2000.

Other survivors include Jacquelyn, his wife of 50 years; another son, Dan Sizemore of College Hill; two daughters, Cheryl Tummonds of Winter Haven, Fla., and Celecia Wheelerof West Chester; a brother, Jack Sizemore of Fairfield; a sister, Joy Allen of Alegan, Mich.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Bishop Joe D. Sizemore Memorial Fund, Covenant Apostolic Church, 7630 View Place, Cincinnati 45224.

E-mail rbillman@enquirer.com