Meet Our Pastor

On April 17, 2026, The Right Reverend Harry L. Seawright appointed the Reverend Latisha Thomas Cokely as Pastor of Ward Memorial AME Church. Rev. Cokely made history as the first female Pastor of Ward Memorial. Previously, Rev. Cokely pastored Embry A.M.E. Church in College Park, Maryland.  Prior to this, she served as pastor of Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church in Jessup, Maryland, from 2020-2022, and Adams Inspirational A.M.E. (AIAME) Church in Fort Washington, Maryland from 2018-2020.

Prior to her appointment to Adams Inspirational AME, Pastor Tish served for several years as an Itinerant Elder at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glenn Dale, Maryland, under the dynamic leadership of her father in ministry, Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington.  At Reid, she served in several capacities, including Online Host/Minister for Reid’s 11:15am worship experience, Lead Editor of Dr. Washington’s book No Hidden Agenda, a contributing writer for From Membership to Discipleship, and scheduler for the ministerial staff pulpit rotation.

An accomplished and creative writer, Pastor Tish is the author of a children’s book on developing healthy friendships, Aleko Wanted a Mohawk, and her sophomore book on the topic of bullying, Vic Takes on Billy the Bully.  A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she feels a mandate on her life to encourage and uplift others with the promises of God’s Word.

Trained in head and heart, Pastor Tish holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Savannah State University, a Master of Science degree from American University and a Master of Divinity degree from Howard University.  She is bi-vocational and is employed with the federal government as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist.

A native of Dillon, South Carolina, Pastor Tish and her husband, Rev. Dwight Cokely, reside in Maryland and are the very proud parents of three amazing and inspirational children: Dominic, Truth, and Vic’Tor, and an adorable Goldendoodle named Tyson.  She truly believes the words spoken in Matthew 6:33 that if we “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto you.”  She serves with a humble and grateful heart, knowing that God has done great and mighty things in her life, yet “Eyes have not seen…”