Reverend Leroy Curtis McLaughlin was born in Goochland, VA, on December 28th, 1929, to Robert E. and Lena B. McLaughlin. The Lord called Leroy home on December 24, 2025. Leroy was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Turner McLaughlin, daughter June Annette McLaughlin, brothers Wallace and Robert McLaughlin, and sisters Regina Brice, Clara Tinsley, and Catherine Cooley. He was a loving, encouraging, hardworking, and generous man of integrity who devoted his life to serving the Lord, Jesus Christ, and serving others.

Leroy received his education from Goochland Public Schools and was a faithful member of Second Union Baptist Church in Goochland County. After moving to Chesterfield County he enlisted in the United States Army. After three years of military service, he then began a career as a barber at the Veterans Administration (V.A.) hospital in Richmond, VA. In May of 1952, Leroy married the love of his life, Bertha D. Turner, with whom he had two daughters, June and Janet.

Leroy was a faithful member of Brown Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, led the junior choir, helped with revival preparations, and performed many other duties. As a barber, he believed that his career provided a great opportunity to lead people to Christ. He held weekly Bible study at his barber shop, the McLaughlin Barber Shop, to spread the gospel and introduce people to Christ. While Leroy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age, he did not sense his call into pastoral ministry until later in life. After retiring from the V.A., he completed his seminary education at Liberty University and became the sixth pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Cartersville, VA, on June 18th, 1989. Leroy later received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Infinity Bible Seminary on June 26th, 2011. As pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, he served as a spiritual leader in faith, wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. He also led efforts to expand, improve, and care for the worship center and fellowship hall at New Hope Baptist Church. Pastor Leroy retired after 25 years of faithful pastoral service. Additionally, he established the McLaughlin House, a home dedicated to helping individuals obtain a drug-free life, establish a spiritual foundation, and lead law-abiding lives.

Leroy enjoyed reading and teaching the Bible, fellowshipping with others, farming, cooking, caring for and working with animals, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Janet McLaughlin Branch who honored him and diligently cared for him, son-in-law Paul Branch, Jr, granddaughters Alexis Branch and Brianna Branch Hickey (Kevin), great granddaughter Kehlani Hickey, sister Elenor Cook (Arthur), brother Johnnie McLaughlin, devoted friend Mr. Walter Jones and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.