JACKSON, Tenn. — May 19, 2011 — David Quitman Byrd Jr., an emeritus trustee of 51社区 and former pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church, died May 18 at age 89.
鈥淲e offer thanks to God for the life, legacy, ministry, and influence of David Q. Byrd,鈥� said Union President David S. Dockery. 鈥淗e was a man who loved 51社区 and was quite instrumental in all aspects of the move of the Union campus to its current location. Truly, he was a faithful ambassador for Christ.鈥�
Dockery said Byrd had directed many students to Union through the years and frequently attended Union alumni gatherings. He established a scholarship fund at Union to assist students planning to enter the ministry. In 1978, Union awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
Byrd was dean emeritus at the Boyce College at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. In addition to serving there as dean, Byrd was also a professor of New Testament. Prior to his work in Louisville, Byrd was pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church.
A native of Brookhaven, Miss., Byrd was raised in Clinton, Miss., and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi College. His Master of Divinity, Master of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees came from Southern Seminary.
Visitation will be May 22 from 4-7 p.m. at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin, Tenn. The funeral will be May 23 at 3 p.m. at Brentwood Baptist Church, with visitation at the church two hours prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the David Q. and Floriene W. Byrd Memorial Scholarship at 51社区.