Rev. David Shatwell Tribute
Bishop R. David Shatwell entered this world on May 9, 1959, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Richard Nelson Shatwell and Virginia Louise Shatwell. In his 65th year of life, April 24th, 2025, he peacefully stepped into eternity in the same city where his journey began.
In 1979, he married his beloved Dorinda “Momma Doe” Shatwell. Together, they walked hand in hand through 45 years of faithful marriage and ministry. Their union was a testimony of love, purpose, and unwavering commitment to the work of God. Side by side, they labored to reach souls and serve the Kingdom of God with compassion and conviction.
Bishop Shatwell was a devoted husband, a loving father, a treasured brother, and a loyal friend. Above all, he was a true servant of the Lord—humble in spirit, steadfast in purpose, and passionate about people. His ministry began with six impactful years of global evangelism before he was called to plant roots in Okemah, Oklahoma, where he pastored The Refuge Church for 37 fruitful years. Though the echoes of his ministry resound across the earth, they will only be fully understood in eternity. Bishop Shatwell faithfully held ministerial credentials for 43 years with the United Pentecostal Church International and served the Oklahoma District as Section 3 Presbyter for ten of those years. His spiritual leadership left an indelible mark on those he mentored, pastored, and walked alongside.
Though a shepherd in the pulpit, Bishop Shatwell also found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He was an avid reader, a lover of history, and a faithful student of the Word of God. He cherished long conversations and was always ready with a story, a laugh, or a word of encouragement. A passionate golfer, he fondly remembered the day he achieved a hole-in-one at Earlywine Golf Course on July 25, 2009—a moment he never tired of sharing.
Bishop Shatwell’s life was a shining example of godliness, joy, and perseverance. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the church he served, and the Gospel he so faithfully preached. Though he has finished his race, his influence will echo for generations to come.
In 1979, he married his beloved Dorinda “Momma Doe” Shatwell. Together, they walked hand in hand through 45 years of faithful marriage and ministry. Their union was a testimony of love, purpose, and unwavering commitment to the work of God. Side by side, they labored to reach souls and serve the Kingdom of God with compassion and conviction.
Bishop Shatwell was a devoted husband, a loving father, a treasured brother, and a loyal friend. Above all, he was a true servant of the Lord—humble in spirit, steadfast in purpose, and passionate about people. His ministry began with six impactful years of global evangelism before he was called to plant roots in Okemah, Oklahoma, where he pastored The Refuge Church for 37 fruitful years. Though the echoes of his ministry resound across the earth, they will only be fully understood in eternity. Bishop Shatwell faithfully held ministerial credentials for 43 years with the United Pentecostal Church International and served the Oklahoma District as Section 3 Presbyter for ten of those years. His spiritual leadership left an indelible mark on those he mentored, pastored, and walked alongside.
Though a shepherd in the pulpit, Bishop Shatwell also found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He was an avid reader, a lover of history, and a faithful student of the Word of God. He cherished long conversations and was always ready with a story, a laugh, or a word of encouragement. A passionate golfer, he fondly remembered the day he achieved a hole-in-one at Earlywine Golf Course on July 25, 2009—a moment he never tired of sharing.
Bishop Shatwell’s life was a shining example of godliness, joy, and perseverance. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the church he served, and the Gospel he so faithfully preached. Though he has finished his race, his influence will echo for generations to come.
