Bishop Samuel Eli Malave

Bishop Samuel Eli Malave was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to Pedro Malave Feliciano and Narda Eliza Justiniano Ruiz. He was a beloved brother to Pedro A. Malave, Edwin Malave, and his late sister, Elizabeth Malave Rodriguez. 

On June 27, 1981, Samuel married his beautiful wife, Myrna Malave. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Samuel Eli Malave Jr. and Eric Daniel Malave, who, along with their spouses, brought joy to their parents with nine grandchildren. Samuel's daughter-in-law, Anna Malave, was also a cherished member of the family. 

Bishop Samuel was a man of remarkable resilience and dedication. He pursued various educational achievements, including an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a three-year program at the Christian Bible Institute of “Iglesia Pentecostal de Jesus Cristo.”

Samuel began his pastoral journey on December 14, 1986, and recorded a Christian cassette titled “Te Necesitó” in 1987. He was ordained as a minister on July 10, 1998. His commitment to public service was evident when he ran for the Coney Island City Council in Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Professionally, Samuel excelled as a Financial Specialist at SAMERIC Financial and was a highly skilled insurance agent. His passion for education led him to found and teach at L.I.F.E. University, which offered programs in Pastoral Management, Chaplaincy Certifications, and Counseling Sessions. 

In addition to his many roles, Samuel served as a chaplain for the Haines City Police Department, providing spiritual support and guidance to the community.

Samuel Eli Malave was a devoted father, husband, brother, uncle, son, and grandfather. His unwavering faith and love for the Lord were evident in every aspect of his life. He truly fought the good fight of faith, as reflected in 1 Timothy 6:12. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 p.m with Pastor Jonathan Malave officiating. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, FL. Final resting place will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City, FL.