Henderson Belk ’45

Henderson Belk ’45, 88, of Charlotte, N.C., died on Oct. 20. He was born on Aug. 1, 1923, in Charlotte, son of the late William Henry Belk (founder of Belk Department Stores) and Mary Leonora Irwin Belk. Belk attended Davidson and graduated from Duke University with a B.A. degree in 1948. He then continued his studies later in life and earned his M.A. degree in Biblical studies in 1996 and his Ph.D. in Christian counseling in 1997, as well as many honorary doctorate degrees from universities in the southeastern United States. Belk served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46. He then went to work for Belk Department Store, where he retired after 45 years. He also had many other business interests in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Belk attended Trinity Presbyterian Church and was elected elder in 1960, and then First Baptist Church in Charlotte, where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher and served on the foreign mission board. He served as preacher at Henderson Mission Church and as founder, president, and professor at Henderson Christian University International, with 14 campuses worldwide. Belk also served on many charitable organizations, including JAARS, Pennsylvania Theological Seminary, Carolina University of Theology, Henderson Christian University, The Gideon’s, Christ for the World, Reformed Theological Seminary, the Salvation Army, and many others. Belk is survived by his wife, Linda Belk, P.O. Box 339, Cramerton, NC 28032-0339; children, Tommy (Donna), Paul (Cecelia), Connie, Jay (Pam), Mary (John), and Margaret (Paul); stepchildren, Sean (Sophia), Chris (Amanda), and Ashley; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Sara Belk Gambrell; and a brother, Irwin Belk ’45.