I met Roy Vernon 30 years ago, in 1971. I had just graduated from seminary and was serving my first appointment in the Virginia Conference. He was serving in his final active appointment. Roy was a seasoned pastor, and I was drawn to him for that reason, and so began a relationship that has been a sustaining grace for me over the years. Roy’s listening skills, sensitivity, experience, and empathy were offered to me as gifts. He gave those gifts freely to all in his churches and to the communities where he served. Without him, I do not know if I would have continued in ministry. For his effective ministry, I am a thankful witness!

  Born February 23, 1913, in Atwood, Kansas, he was the son of Clifton Everett and Cora Ramey Vernon. He earned a B.S. degree in education in 1945 from the University of Southern Illinois, and an M.Div. degree in 1950 from Westminster Theological Seminary, the predecessor to Wesley Theological Seminary. He began his ministerial career in 1939 and served in the Illinois and Peninsula conferences. Ordained deacon in 1948, and elder in 1950, he then served in the Virginia and New England conferences. In 1963, he was appointed director of Christian Activities and taught at Sue Bennett College, Loudon, Kentucky, until 1968. Returning to Virginia, he served until his retirement in 1978.

  He married Christine Synder on October 1, 1953. Christine is the granddaughter of the Rev. Christopher Sydenstricker who founded seven churches in what was then the Baltimore Conference. Christine lives at Westminster-Canterbury, Winchester, Virginia, where she and Roy had made their home for 10 years. Their daughter, Margaret Bell Vernon, is deceased.

  We celebrated Roy’s life at a service on March 16, 2001, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, Berryville, where Roy held his charge conference membership. The Rev. Jay E. Luther joined me in assisting the Rev. William K. Dawson, pastor of Duncan Memorial Church. Jay and I had served with Roy over the years. Bill, his new pastor, discovered quickly the special person that he was. Roy taught us that ordained ministry is personal, collegial, and communal. To have exercised our ministries in company with Roy Vernon has been a rare privilege. John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer captures Roy’s life and work:

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee, or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.