Beverly Felty, 1920-1991

On Thursday, January 10, 1991, loved ones and friends from near and far gathered to honor the life and ministry of Beverly Felty. The setting was Raleigh Court United Methodist Church in Roanoke, Virginia, where, as a child, Bev began his spiritual journey. The service was conducted by Dr. Gregory L. Adkins, pastor of Raleigh Court; Dr. T. Eugene Carter, superintendent of the Roanoke District; and the writer. It was a service of memory and thanksgiving for a loyal friend, a good person, and a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.

Bev  was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on October 13, 1920, the son of Wythe D. and Anne M. Felty. He attended Jefferson High School. At Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, he received his Bachelor's degree in 1942. At Candler School of Theology of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, he earned his Master of Divinity degree. Later, Randolph-Macon conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.

Upon completion of his work at Emory University, Bev was ordained and commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Navy in March of 1945. He received an honorable discharge in 1946, was received into full connection in the Virginia conference of the Methodist Church, and was appointed as the director of the Wesley Foundation at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and associate pastor of the Whisner Memorial Church in Blacksburg, Virginia. He continued his service in our conference as the faithful and effective pastor of Chesterfield Heights Church, Norfolk; Central Church, Richmond; Christ Church, Arlington; Virginia Beach Church, Virginia Beach; Ghent Church, Norfolk; and Arlington Church, Arlington. From 1971 to 1977, he served well as the district superintendent of the Danville District. During the years of his active ministry, he enjoyed taking part in the youth work, especially in summer conferences and camps. He also enjoyed the opportunity of teaching youth and adults in Christian Workers' Schools.

In June of 1984, he retired to the Roanoke United Methodist Home. In retirement, he served as part-time assistant pastor at Raleigh Court Church and later as the chaplain of the Roanoke United Methodist Home. In the latter capacity, as he was returning from some pastoral visiting in a local hospital, on Thursday, December 6, he was involved in an automobile accident which claimed his life exactly one month later on January 6, 1991.

Bev is survived by his wife, Margaret S. Felty of Roanoke; a daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Huffman (Gwen and Harvey) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; a son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Felty (Michael and Julie) of Alexandria, Virginia; two granddaughters, Lisa Ann Huffman and Kathryn Leigh Huffman; and one grandson, Jack R. Davis.

Following the service of death and resurrection on January 10 at Raleigh Court, interment took place at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke. In the words of Paul, "I thank God in all my remembrance" of Bev, and, as it was said of another, I would like to say of my true friend, Bev Felty, "There will never come an end to the good he has done."

-George Wesley Jones