Rev. Dr. Garnita Lynette Pleas was ordained a Local Deacon in the AME church on October 13, 2019, at the Missouri Annual Conference. Before entering into ordained ministry, Rev. Dr. Pleas devoted her career to educating children. She was a classroom teacher for twelve years, and an elementary school counselor for eighteen years. 

Her life has been dedicated to “EMPOWERING” women. She founded and co-sponsored a young women’s Empowering group at Marion Elementary School, which she began in September 2000. She is now the founder and director of Rev. Dr. Garnita L. Pleas Ministries - Empowering Without Limits, LLC, an organization specializing in addressing the needs of women in society. Rev. Dr. Pleas works diligently towards taking her ministry “outside” the walls of the church, empowering all to know and understand that just as they are, they are “ENOUGH”. 

Rev. Dr. Pleas is the proud mother of twin daughters, Alana Michelle and Alexis Janee’, who are her biggest supporters and encouragers.