Category: 1954

D. Moody Smith, Jr., professor emeritus at Duke University Divinity School, died on May 10, 2016. Smith was born in 1931, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Nellie Beckwith and Dwight Moody Smith.

He attended public schools in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1950.Smith received a B.A. in history, summa cum laude, from Davidson College in 1954, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa.

As a candidate for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church, he attended Duke University Divinity School, from which he received a B.D. in 1957.

In that same year, Smith entered the graduate school of Yale University to pursue a Ph.D. in New Testament. He completed this degree in 1961, with a dissertation entitled The Composition and Order of the Fourth Gospel: Bultmann’s Literary Theory.

This work marked the beginning of a career-long interest in the Johannine literature of the New Testament, about which Smith wrote a number of books and articles.

His most widely read book was Anatomy of the New Testament (1969), co-authored originally with Robert A. Spivey and, beginning with the sixth edition, co-authored also with C. Clifton Black. This book has been in print continuously since publication and is currently in its seventh edition.

Notably, Smith also served as editor of a series entitled Studies on Personalities of the New Testament. Smith’s first teaching position was at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. In 1963, he and his family lived for a year in Zürich, Switzerland, a leave made possible by a Lilly Fellowship.

In 1965, Smith moved to Durham, North Carolina, and began his thirty-seven year career as a professor at Duke Divinity School.

In 1970, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship, spent the following year at Cambridge University in England, and returned to Duke in 1971.

During his tenure at Duke, Smith served as Associate Dean of the Divinity School, as the Director of Graduate Studies in Religion, and in 1987, he was named the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament. Smith taught more than 2,000 divinity students and directed twenty-four Ph.D. dissertations.

Among his former students are deans of theological schools, a college president, a bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and a past president of the National Council of Churches.

In 1990, Davidson College conferred upon Smith an honorary Doctor of Letters degree, and, in 1993, Duke University named him the Scholar/Teacher of the Year.

In 1996, his friends and students presented him a Festschrift, Exploring the Gospel of John in Honor of D. Moody Smith, edited by R. Alan Culpepper and C. Clifton Black.

In 1999, Smith served as President of the Society of Biblical Literature, an association of more than 8,000 members in the United States and abroad. He was also a member of the International Society for New Testament Studies and the American Theological Society.

Smith married the former Jane Allen in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1954, and he is survived by her. He is also survived by his four children, Cynthia Smith and her husband, Frank Reiss; Catherine Smith Meynardie and her husband, Robert Meynardie; David B. Smith and his wife, Deborah Camp Smith; and Allen Smith and his partner, Andrew Wilson.

Additionally, Smith leaves behind six granddaughters: Hannah Mary Reiss, Juliana Cornwell Avery, Elizabeth Grace Meynardie, Isabella Jane Reiss, Mary Margaret Meynardie and Eleanor Jane Meynardie.

His family will remember him for his quick wit, his abidingly kind nature, his passion for tennis, his dedication to social justice and his devotion to his family.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff of The Pines at Carolina Meadows and to UNC Hospice for the very compassionate and skilled care which they have provided since last September.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Durham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 North Church Street, Durham, NC, 27701.

Arrangements by Walker’s Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, NC.

New Orleans native, Robert Kent Mitchell died peacefully Saturday, May 7, one day before his 82nd birthday. Kent was born May 8, 1934, at Touro Infirmary to Robert and Dean Kent Mitchell. He grew up in Jefferson Parish, graduating from Newman School in 1950. He received a BA in History in 1954 from Davidson College in North Carolina.

After graduation, he served in the Transportation Corps at Fort Sill Oklahoma for 2 years, completing his stint as a 1st Lieutenant. Kent then completed his military service in the Louisiana National Guard, in 141st Field Artillery Battalion, retiring as a major.

With his father, Bob, he operated Louisiana Transit Company, serving as General Manager and then President. Kent had many and varied interests, and served the Greater New Orleans community well through the years. He was the Treasurer of WYES, was on the board of NBC in Jefferson Parish, The Red Cross, and The Boys and Girls Club. He was on the Board of Directors of STAIR from 1998 to 2006, service twice as president in 2002 and 2004.

He was active in The American Legion, VOA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and ACME. Kent was a member of the St Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church where he served on the Session. He belonged to The Stratford Club serving as King of Mithras one year, several Carnival organizations, and the Civil War Round Table.

He was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, the New Orleans Opera Association, and The New Orleans Symphony. He was an early and active supporter of the World War II Museum. He was a dedicated and vocal LSU fan. Kent was a kind, intelligent, witty man. His love of and loyalty to his family, his city, his church, his country and his many friends will serve as his legacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Alton Mitchell and Dean Kent Mitchell, his brother, Sherwood Anderson (Pete) Mitchell, and his first wife Jean Wilson Mitchell.

He is survived by his second wife, Elizabeth Denton Mitchell, two sons John Wilson Mitchell, Paul Allen Mitchell and wife Fonda; 3 grandchildren, John Paul, Sarah Jean, and Jacob Mitchell; sister-in-law Evelyn Mitchell Contois, nephew Robert Austin Mitchell and wife Susan; niece Anne Mitchell Souvignier and great nieces and nephews Robert, Margaret and Richard Mitchell, and Clara and Alex Souvignier. He is also survived by cousins, HP Forbes of Hammond, and Mary Virginia Thomas and Helen Dean Lawlis of Baton Rouge.

The services will be at 2 pm at Saint Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 12, 2016 with a reception following. Visitation begins at 1 pm.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be sent to STAIR, 1545 State St., 70118; the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 1010 Common St #2120, 70112; or The New Orleans Opera Association, 616 Girod St. Suite 200, 70130.

Copyright 2016, The Advocate / Capital City Press LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Burl McRae Compton, RPh, 83, of Roanoke, VA, formerly of Princeton, WV, died Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem, VA.

Born October 11, 1932 in Rhodell, WV he was the son of the late O.D. “Bus” Compton and Mary Elizabeth Malcolm Compton. Burl was a 1951 graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA. He attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Burl was a retired Pharmacist and a former owner of Hometown Pharmacy in Narrows, VA, Pembroke, VA and Peterstown, WV. He was a member of Princeton Masonic Lodge #134 AF&AM, Beni Kedem Shrine Temple, Knights Templar, and Narrows Kiwanis Club. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and attended the Windsor Hills United Methodist Church in Roanoke, VA.

In addition to his parents, Burl was preceded in death by his first wife, Sybil Davis Compton; one sister, Katie Compton Prinzbach; and one brother, Milton C. “Mick” Compton.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Elizabeth Cunningham Compton of Roanoke, VA; one son, Steven Burl Compton of Princeton; one daughter, Ashley Nicole Compton of Roanoke, VA; and two brothers, Dr. DeLone Compton and wife Dorthea of Charlotte, NC and L.M. “Skip” Compton and wife Gayle of Pen Hook, VA.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton, WV, with Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:00 Noon until the service hour on Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hargrave Military Academy, 200 Military Drive, Chatham, VA 24531 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.seaverfuneralservice.com.

Copyright 2016, Princeton Times / Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. (CNHI). All Rights Reserved.

Mr. Dan McIntyre, age 83, of Denver, NC, formerly of Charlotte passed away peacefully after a brief illness on January 14, 2016. He was born June 20, 1932, son of Judge D. Baker McIntyre and Hattie Blanche Salmon McIntyre and grew up in Marion, SC. He had a great love for his family, second only to God.

Mr. McIntyre graduated from Marion High School in 1950 where he was Senior Class Valedictorian, Senior Class President and was a member of the State Champion Debate Team. He attended Davidson College for two years where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the Rifle Team.

He transferred to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1955. While at USC he was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa for outstanding leadership, served as Wesley Foundation Cabinet President, was elected Senior Class Vice-President, played trumpet in the Pep Club and was listed in Who’;s Who in American Universities and Colleges.

Mr. McIntyre worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation as a sales engineer for 39 years. He was a Boy Scouts of America Scout Master for 11 years. He was active in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church where he served on the Laity Council and was elected to attend the jurisdictional conference.

He served in many leadership roles at Grace United Methodist Church where he was a longtime member. He served on the Bethlehem Center Board of Directors and on the Aldersgate United Methodist Home Board of Directors.

He enjoyed traveling, singing in his church choirs, water skiing and spending time outdoors.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, June Laughlin McIntyre; son, Baker McIntyre and his wife, Betsy McIntyre; daughter, Vicki Mauney, and her husband, Todd Mauney; and four grandchildren: Jessica Mauney, Erica Mauney, Christopher Mauney and Daniel McIntyre. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 18, 2016, at Harry &; Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.

The service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 19th at Salem United Methodist Church, 378 N. Pilot Knob Road, Denver, NC. A committal by the graveside will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 378 N. Pilot Knob Road, Denver, NC 28037 for the Christian Life Center.

Reverend George Albert Bud Grissom, 85, passed away August 19, 2015, after several years of deteriorating health. Bud was born in December 1929, to the late George Lester and Edith Jennings Grissom.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving and faithful wife of 53 years, Sylvia Howe Grissom, and his sister Eva Jones, in-laws Walter Hamilton, Robert Hallman and Hugh Cagle.

He is survived by his sons Daniel (Brandy) Grissom of Gastonia, and John (Pat) Grissom of Johns Creek, Georgia; five grandchildren Zachary (Victoria) Grissom, Jennifer Grissom (David Parker), Kathleen & Joanna Grissom & Alyssa Myers; two great-grandchildren Heidi Parker & Emma Grissom.

Bud was one of six children and is survived by his brother Gene (Kathleen) Grissom of Gastonia, and his sisters Shirley (Vernon Cahoon) of Creswell, NC, Carolyn (Gene) Glaze of Hickory, Judy Stewart of Belmont, in-laws Nathan Jones, Phyllis Hallman, Charlotte Cagle and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bud graduated from Gastonia High School, Presbyterian Junior College, and Davidson College. He earned his Divinity Degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and was ordained into the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in 1957.

During his ministry he furthered his education in order to better serve others by earning a Masters Degree in Counseling from N.C. State University in 1968. Bud served small churches throughout Georgia and the Carolinas until his retirement in 1994.

As a retired Presbyterian Minister, Bud was a life-long learner who valued thoughtfulness and faithfulness and cared for all. Bud will be remembered as a kind, gentle and caring man who seldom raised his voice in anger. He endeavored to always follow his faith and served as an example of Christs love in action to all whom he came in contact with. He truly loved and cared for each and every one of Gods creations.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday August 21 at McLean Funeral Directors, located at 700 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia NC 28054. A funeral service celebrating Buds life will be held at Olney Presbyterian Church, 251 Olney Church Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056 on Saturday August 22 at 2:00PM with Rev. Libby Sigmon officiating. Interment will follow the service in Olneys cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere love and gratitude to the staff of Morningside Assisted Living of Gastonia for their love and care of George and our family during the past three years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Mission Agency Funds, The Joy Gift Offering or One Great Hour of Sharing thru Olney Presbyterian Church, 251 Olney Church Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056.

Condolence messages and remembrances may be shared with the family at www.McLeanFuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Rev. Grissom. MCLEAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS PO BOX 1544 GASTONIA, NC 28054 704-865-3451