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Rev. Billy Frank Gerald

Visitation will be this Sunday, April 14th, from 2PM to 5PM at Riverwood Family Funeral Service on Hwy 51 just south of Hwy 84.

A funeral service will be held here in Brookhaven at Riverwood on Monday at 10AM. The graveside service will be held at Clear Creek Church near Brooklyn, Mississippi, at 3PM.

 

 

The Reverend Dr. Billy Frank Gerald, long time resident of Brookhaven, MS, passed away peacefully in his home on April 11th at the age of 87. He leaves behind his wife of 66 years,

Fay Ivey Gerald, and their six children: Judy Ratcliff (Scott), Larry Gerald (Delores Myers), Cindy Smith (Oscar), Keith Gerald (Aimee), James Gerald (Emily Dabney), and Sharon Gerald.

The family also includes 14 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

 

Born August 19th, 1931, in Greene County, MS, to Claude Frank and Rosa Holder Gerald, Dr. Gerald was the third of eleven children. He joins his parents in the Promised Land,

along with his siblings Gayle, Nell, Sam, and Ben. His surviving siblings are John, Ralph, Patricia, Paul, Sandra, and Darlene.

 

Ordained as a minister on December 4th, 1949 by the Methodist Protestant Conference of Mississippi, Dr. Gerald attended Kletzing College at University Park, Iowa,

Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Additionally, he held a lifetime

teaching certification in secondary education from the State of Mississippi.

As a minister, he pastored 18 different churches during his career, planted 4 Methodist Protestant churches, and founded several independent Methodist congregations.

His ministry included 3 years as President of the Methodist Protestant Conference of Mississippi, 8 years on the Board of Religious Education for the General Conference

as well as 6 years on the Board of Missions. He served for 10 years on the Board of the World Gospel Mission from 2000 to 2010.

As an educator, he taught and served as an administrator in several high schools around the state, but he is most remembered for his years at Whitworth College in Brookhaven, MS.

There, from 1960 to 1976 as first Dean and then President, he helped mold the next generation of both preachers and teachers, raised children,

and become a member of the community he loved. Many in Brookhaven will also remember him as the owner of the WCHJ and WBKN radio stations.

 

Most importantly, as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he showered everyone with love, lived the example we were to follow, and shared his deep devotion to God.

We followed him as he whistled gospel tunes, walked in his footsteps in the fresh tilled soil of his garden, and counted pine trees with him in the woods of south Mississippi.

His love of growing things was so great that the Lincoln County and Southwest Districts of the Mississippi Forestry Association both recognized him as the 2013

Tree Farmer of the Year. In their words, there were planters with more trees, but he was the only one that knew them all by name.

 

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, you donate to one of Dr. Gerald’s two favorite charities:

the World Gospel Mission (www.wgm.org) headquartered in Marion, Indiana, or the Wesley Biblical Seminary

(www.wbs.edu) in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

 

 

 

Media

8 comments

  • Comment Link Peggy Johnson Monday, 15 April 2019 22:55 posted by Peggy Johnson

    Loved Bro. Billy Frank he and Mrs Faye were very special people. I so enjoyed being with them at conference, also Bible School and camp meeting. He was my teacher several times at Bible Camp. Just always loved them. Robert and myself send to Mrs Faye and family our sincere condolences and love with prayers.

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  • Comment Link Kathy Calhoun Monday, 15 April 2019 20:44 posted by Kathy Calhoun

    Heaven ‘s gain is our loss for there are not near enough men as good and kind as Bro Bill was I will keep your family in my prayers for I know you will miss him .

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  • Comment Link Ligia Meji-Pantoja Sunday, 14 April 2019 13:23 posted by Ligia Meji-Pantoja

    Very sorry to learn about the passing of brother Bill. He and wife were the most gentle people with me when I went on my first HMA for WGM, housing me and giving encouraging words that gave me strength for what was coming ahead and the mission field. My love and condolences to Fay and children.

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  • Comment Link Opal Roberson Saturday, 13 April 2019 10:45 posted by Opal Roberson

    I loved working for Dr. Gerald. Love to Faye, Larry, Judy, Cindy, Keith, James and Sharon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  • Comment Link Buzz williams Saturday, 13 April 2019 10:04 posted by Buzz williams

    Rest In Peace Uncle Bill. We always loved you and your family.

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  • Comment Link Suzie Wade Ritchie Saturday, 13 April 2019 01:43 posted by Suzie Wade Ritchie

    Bro. Billy Frank and the Gerald family will always have a special place in the hearts of those to whom he ministered. Our prayers are with you all as I know he will be greatly missed.

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  • Comment Link Bonnie Friday, 12 April 2019 17:11 posted by Bonnie

    Bro Billy Frank was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He set an example of how to live and love. He leaves a huge gap in all our lives. My deepest sympathy for all the family.

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  • Comment Link Michael Jinks Thursday, 11 April 2019 22:18 posted by Michael Jinks

    Very sorry to hear of the passing of B. F. Gerald. He was responsible for me coming to Brookhaven. Prayers for the family.

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