Harrell Byars was born August 23, 1909, near Smithville, TN. He married Nell Burnette June 3, 1938, in a sunrise ceremony, the same day he graduated from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TPI). Three children were born to them: Betty Jo Wilson. Eugene Byars. and Kay Hemphill. He began his ministry in the Tennessee Conference, serving Celina, Palmer, Mulberry, Clarkrange, and Savannah Circuit. He transferred to the Holston Conference in 1953 and served Addilyn, Rural Retreat, Carter Street, Pearisburg Circuit, and Cross. He retired in 1972 to Cookeville, to the house he designed and built himself. Beyond retirement he continued to supply appointments when called upon, as long as his health permitted.
His ministry was noted for consistently better-than-average preaching, with a focus on everyday Christian living. He did not compromise for votes or promotion, and in church organization he always held to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
His retirement years were among the most active and fulfilling of his life. Despite failing health, he never gave up and never complained. His cheerful spirit and good humor were inspiring, and he never failed to have a smile and a joke for everyone. In addition, he maintained an active telephone prayer ministry which blessed many.
To his children he left a legacy of enduring values for which we are very thankful. He had a remarkably wide range of interests and abilities, including an inquiring mind and a lifelong love for learning. He was an avid gardener, noted especially for his strawberries and sweet potatoes. He was an artisan and craftsman, a skilled carpenter, builder and restorer of antique furniture. He was always learning new crafts and in later years did excellent needlepoint, latch hook rugs, afghans and other crochet work. He taught us the godly principles of tithing, of doing a job well, of patient persistence, and of prompt attention to necessary tasks. His life was a testimony to God's grace and unfailing provision for our every need.
He died on October 6, 1988, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was buried next to his wife in the cemetery at Clarkrange United Methodist Church. He loved to sing the old hymns, and fittingly, his Homegoing service at Summerfield United Methodist Church concluded with his all-time favorite, "The Awakening Chorus." The words of its refrain are especially appropriate: "Jehovah reigns! Rejoice!" We know he is doing just that.
Written by: Betty Jo Wilson and Kay Hemphill
Holston Conference Journal - 1989
His ministry was noted for consistently better-than-average preaching, with a focus on everyday Christian living. He did not compromise for votes or promotion, and in church organization he always held to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
His retirement years were among the most active and fulfilling of his life. Despite failing health, he never gave up and never complained. His cheerful spirit and good humor were inspiring, and he never failed to have a smile and a joke for everyone. In addition, he maintained an active telephone prayer ministry which blessed many.
To his children he left a legacy of enduring values for which we are very thankful. He had a remarkably wide range of interests and abilities, including an inquiring mind and a lifelong love for learning. He was an avid gardener, noted especially for his strawberries and sweet potatoes. He was an artisan and craftsman, a skilled carpenter, builder and restorer of antique furniture. He was always learning new crafts and in later years did excellent needlepoint, latch hook rugs, afghans and other crochet work. He taught us the godly principles of tithing, of doing a job well, of patient persistence, and of prompt attention to necessary tasks. His life was a testimony to God's grace and unfailing provision for our every need.
He died on October 6, 1988, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was buried next to his wife in the cemetery at Clarkrange United Methodist Church. He loved to sing the old hymns, and fittingly, his Homegoing service at Summerfield United Methodist Church concluded with his all-time favorite, "The Awakening Chorus." The words of its refrain are especially appropriate: "Jehovah reigns! Rejoice!" We know he is doing just that.
Written by: Betty Jo Wilson and Kay Hemphill
Holston Conference Journal - 1989
Harrell Byars was born August 23, 1909, near Smithville, TN. He married Nell Burnette June 3, 1938, in a sunrise ceremony, the same day he graduated from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TPI). Three children were born to them: Betty Jo Wilson. Eugene Byars. and Kay Hemphill. He began his ministry in the Tennessee Conference, serving Celina, Palmer, Mulberry, Clarkrange, and Savannah Circuit. He transferred to the Holston Conference in 1953 and served Addilyn, Rural Retreat, Carter Street, Pearisburg Circuit, and Cross. He retired in 1972 to Cookeville, to the house he designed and built himself. Beyond retirement he continued to supply appointments when called upon, as long as his health permitted.
His ministry was noted for consistently better-than-average preaching, with a focus on everyday Christian living. He did not compromise for votes or promotion, and in church organization he always held to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
His retirement years were among the most active and fulfilling of his life. Despite failing health, he never gave up and never complained. His cheerful spirit and good humor were inspiring, and he never failed to have a smile and a joke for everyone. In addition, he maintained an active telephone prayer ministry which blessed many.
To his children he left a legacy of enduring values for which we are very thankful. He had a remarkably wide range of interests and abilities, including an inquiring mind and a lifelong love for learning. He was an avid gardener, noted especially for his strawberries and sweet potatoes. He was an artisan and craftsman, a skilled carpenter, builder and restorer of antique furniture. He was always learning new crafts and in later years did excellent needlepoint, latch hook rugs, afghans and other crochet work. He taught us the godly principles of tithing, of doing a job well, of patient persistence, and of prompt attention to necessary tasks. His life was a testimony to God's grace and unfailing provision for our every need.
He died on October 6, 1988, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was buried next to his wife in the cemetery at Clarkrange United Methodist Church. He loved to sing the old hymns, and fittingly, his Homegoing service at Summerfield United Methodist Church concluded with his all-time favorite, "The Awakening Chorus." The words of its refrain are especially appropriate: "Jehovah reigns! Rejoice!" We know he is doing just that.
Written by: Betty Jo Wilson and Kay Hemphill
Holston Conference Journal - 1989
His ministry was noted for consistently better-than-average preaching, with a focus on everyday Christian living. He did not compromise for votes or promotion, and in church organization he always held to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
His retirement years were among the most active and fulfilling of his life. Despite failing health, he never gave up and never complained. His cheerful spirit and good humor were inspiring, and he never failed to have a smile and a joke for everyone. In addition, he maintained an active telephone prayer ministry which blessed many.
To his children he left a legacy of enduring values for which we are very thankful. He had a remarkably wide range of interests and abilities, including an inquiring mind and a lifelong love for learning. He was an avid gardener, noted especially for his strawberries and sweet potatoes. He was an artisan and craftsman, a skilled carpenter, builder and restorer of antique furniture. He was always learning new crafts and in later years did excellent needlepoint, latch hook rugs, afghans and other crochet work. He taught us the godly principles of tithing, of doing a job well, of patient persistence, and of prompt attention to necessary tasks. His life was a testimony to God's grace and unfailing provision for our every need.
He died on October 6, 1988, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was buried next to his wife in the cemetery at Clarkrange United Methodist Church. He loved to sing the old hymns, and fittingly, his Homegoing service at Summerfield United Methodist Church concluded with his all-time favorite, "The Awakening Chorus." The words of its refrain are especially appropriate: "Jehovah reigns! Rejoice!" We know he is doing just that.
Written by: Betty Jo Wilson and Kay Hemphill
Holston Conference Journal - 1989
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