Alumni Link

Obituaries

Published Date: September 1, 2017

Reverend Beverly Barnett, BDiv 1953, passed away in his home on Lake Wildwood on August 3, 2017. He was 89. Bev, a pastor’s son, was born in Iowa and was the fourth of eight siblings. He graduated from Houghton College in 1949, where he met his wife of 69 years, Margie Lou Miller. Like his father, Bev was called to the ministry and attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, then soon joined the USAF as a chaplain. He had an enjoyable career that was highlighted by his key role in establishing a church in Nagasaki, Japan. He retired after 28 years active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel. He and Margie finally settled in Lake Wildwood and they joined the Penn Valley Community Church. Beverly taught a Sunday school class for many years and occasionally filled in as pastor. In 1992, he received a Doctorate in Ministry from Westminster Seminary. He was a Presbyterian presbyter for Northern California and worked to encourage the ministry of many fellow pastors. Unfortunately, a stroke and Parkinson’s disease in the last few years limited Bev’s spiritual activity. Finally, while under the loving care of Margie, he peacefully joined the Saints in Heaven. Beverly is survived by his wife, Margie; son Mark (Karen), of Eagle River, AK; daughter Deanne (Stephen Mahoney) of Burke, VA; six grandsons and two great-grandchildren. Please contact his family at Lake Wildwood, 530-432-3267, if you wish, for condolences and questions. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to SIM-USA, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241 to support the mission ministry of Dan and Kim Scheel.

Earl Dwayne Hinshaw, MDiv 1983, 69, finished his journey with cancer peacefully surrounded by his family then went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. He was born in Alamance County to the late Earl Jackson and Doris Hoover Hinshaw and was married for almost 32 years to Janeice S. Hinshaw, who survives. Dwayne worked at Hinshaw Cabinet Shop, starting there with his dad at the age of 10 and continued as a cabinetmaker for most of his life and was currently employed by The Cleora Sterling Corporation. He graduated from Eastern Alamance High School, Southern Pilgrim College, Elon University, John Wesley College, Southern Wesleyan University and Asbury Theological Seminary where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1983 and was ordained as a pastor in the Wesleyan church. He briefly served as a professor at John Wesley College. Dwayne truly cared for kids and youth, starting 3 basketball teams affectionately known as “B-naz” and worked for several years at Victory Mountain which is a Wesleyan Church camp for children. He served in missions through the Wesleyan church district and spent several years pastoring churches, but he truly loved being a teacher/preacher where he spent hours in preparation, reading and studying the Bible so he could help others really learn and understand especially by using his illustrative paper timeline which he called the “travel line.” Dwayne served as pastor at Durham Christ Chapel, Mt. Olivet Wesleyan, Staley Wesleyan, Rose Hill Wesleyan, Asheboro First Wesleyan and Pleasant Union Wesleyan where he retired. He served as youth pastor at Shamrock Evangelical Methodist Church and as assistant pastor at Florence Wesleyan Church. Dwayne previously attended Burlington First Nazarene Church and was currently attending Burlington First Wesleyan Church where he had also served as assistant pastor. He is survived by his wife, Janeice; son, Earl Michael Hinshaw; sister, Beverly (Kemp) Walker; nephews, Brandon (Joanna) Walker and Holden Walker and great nephew, Lucas Walker. Memorials may be made to the ARMC Cancer Center, 1240 Huffman Mill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215 or Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215 or to Gideons International, P.O Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 .

Larry Houck, MDiv 1977, DMin 1988, age 70, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Laurels of Mount Vernon. He was born on October 8, 1946, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to the late James and Pauline (Biddle) Houck. Larry was a graduate of God’s Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio, class of 1970. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1977. He later earned his Doctorate in Religion from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1989. He pastored FM Churches in Erie, New Castle, and Oil City, PA and also at Wesley Chapel UM in Danville. He taught in the religion department at Greenville, Ill College for 6 years and at Mount Vernon Nazarene University for 10 years. He served in missions in Indonesia for 2 years and in the Philippines for 2 years. He was World Missions Director of the FM Church for 6 years. Larry enjoyed teaching and writing. He published a book in 2015 on Spiritual Formation. He was a member of the North Central Ohio District of the Nazarene Church for the last 12 years. He loved music and played the trumpet and harp. He also enjoyed whittling and working with wood. He is survived by his wife Sharon (Hughes) Houck; his son Michael James Houck; two brothers, James (Juanita) Houck, Randy Houck; his sister Linda Ziman; and his aunt Joan Houck. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Hospice of Knox County. To send the family a condolence online visit: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Rev. Dr. William Russell (Billy) Key, BDiv 1948, DDiv 1976, of Dublin, Georgia, died on August 27, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Mildred (Sunshine) Key and their five children, Brenda Adams (Don) of Dublin, Danny Key (Kris) of Augusta, Todd Key (Janice) of Barney, Scott Key of Dublin, and Betsy Moran (Keith) of Dublin. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Billy is survived by his brother, Rev. Dr. Jack Key of Dublin. He was preceded in death by his parents Morris Denton Key and Bertha Leila Key of Adrian; his sisters Bertha Nell Bagwell of Macon and Major Marjorie Leila Key (Salvation Army), Dallas, Texas and his brother, Woodruff Denton Key, of Swainsboro. Billy was born in Adrian, Georgia on December 18, 1923. He graduated from Adrian High School, Young Harris College, Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He received the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1976. He served as a United Methodist pastor for 43 years. His pastoral appointments included: Gravel Switch/Johnson Chapel, Highland/Kings Mountain, the Kentucky Annual Conference; appointments in the South Georgia Annual Conference included: Winona Park/Gilcrest Park, Waycross; Woodland, St. Marys, Waynesboro First, Perry, Americus First, Tifton First, Valdosta First, Superintendent of the Dublin District, Isle of Hope, Savannah. Billy was a leader in the South Georgia Annual Conference, elected to the General Conference clergy delegation five times, the final time as leader of the delegation. Known for his commitment to orthodox evangelical Christianity, he served for many years as a member of the board of Good News, a national organization which promotes scriptural Christianity in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition. He was very active in the Emmaus Walk retreat community, serving on dozens of walks into his 8th decade of life. He retired from active pastoral ministry in 1989 and became a full-time evangelist, preaching in approximately 200 camp-meetings and local church revivals following his retirement from pastoral ministry. His family knew him as a fruitful pastor and lover of Jesus and scripture, a person who exuded a positive spirit of faith and love, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, whose example of Christian character, faith, hope and love will continue to inspire generations to follow. Memorial gifts can be made to: Rev. Billy Key Endowment Scholarship, Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390, or to Serenity Hospice.

Kenneth Cain Kinghorn, BDiv 1962, 87, husband of Hilda Marie (Hartzler) Kinghorn, passed away peacefully at his home on July 23, 2017. Born June 23, 1930 in Albany, Oklahoma, he was a son of the late Kenneth and Eloise Rye Kinghorn. The family later moved to Indiana, where he played clarinet in band and was a stand-out in high school track and basketball. He received a B.A. in music education and composition from Ball State University, working his way through college as a woodwind specialist when Big Band music was still popular. For 5 years he directed music programs in South Bend, Indiana, his high school band receiving a number of honors. During his time as a music teacher, he met and married Hilda. He left the music field in 1958 to pursue graduate work in historical theology, receiving an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Ph.D from Emory University. Although he pastored churches in Kentucky and Georgia during his time as a graduate student, he devoted the rest of his professional life to theological education, joining the faculty at Asbury Theological Seminary in 1965 and teaching full-time until 2003 and part-time through 2016-a span of 50 years. Dr. Kinghorn taught church history and served as Provost (1983-86) and Dean (1995-99). He also taught continuing education through 2016 for the United Methodist Church’s Appalachian Lay Pastors School. Dr. Kinghorn helped to found and to lead, as well as to fundraise for, several foundations providing financial support for graduate students preparing for academic and pastoral vocations within the Wesleyan tradition: in particular, A Foundation for Theological Education and Foundation for United Methodists. For several decades, he regularly spent weekends traveling to churches throughout the country, preaching and leading workshops. He also did preaching and teaching tours in Japan and Korea. Dr. Kinghorn authored hundreds of articles and over 25 books, including The Heritage of American Methodism and The Story of Asbury Theological Seminary. Several of his books, such as Gifts of the Holy Spirit, were translated into multiple languages. His strong work ethic, forged during the Great Depression, included rising very early each morning for writing and for devotional reading. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to his career and family life, he enjoyed woodworking, classical music, vegetable gardening, and the study of trees. Dr. Kinghorn is predeceased by his sister, Mary Peters. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Dr. Jon Rye (Jane) Kinghorn of Dayton, OH; his daughter Kathleen Marie Hagerty of Raleigh, NC, and sons Kenneth James (Edie) of Lexington, KY, Kevin Paul (Barbara) of Mt. Sterling, KY, and Kent Joseph (Lynn) of Columbus, OH; and his grandchildren Anne Marie and David Hagerty, Kelsey Dunning, Jasmine Edwards, Anna Keren and Joseph Kinghorn, and Miranda and Lauren Kinghorn. Contributions in Dr. Kinghorn’s memory may be made to Foundation for United Methodists, Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY, 40390, or Bluegrass Care Navigators/Hospice, 2409 Members Way, Lexington, KY 40504.

Philip Wayne Upton I, MDiv 1982, 62, of Davidson, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017, at W.G. Bill Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina surrounded by family. He was born November 13, 1954 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to Rev. Carroll and Carolyn Richardson Upton. Phil was commissioned in the United States Navy in 1984 and was first assigned to serve as the Chaplain for 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion followed by 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion of Camp Schwab, Okinawa. He was then assigned to the Naval Weapon Station in Charleston, South Carolina where he finished his seven years of service in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant. He graduated from Kernersville Wesleyan Academy in 1973 and traveled to Zambia, Africa in 1976 as a Missionary where he taught English and Bible at Choma Secondary School. Upon returning to the U.S., Phil went on to Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1978 with a B.A. in Philosophy. He then attended Asbury Theological Seminary where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1982. Phil was the Student Body President for all three schools and was awarded Preacher of the Year by the seminary faculty. Upon graduation, Phil served as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Joplin, Missouri, where he and his wife Chris were married. After his time in the Navy, Phil worked as a producer for several radio stations including WTHP in High Point. In Charlotte, Phil worked at WTDR, WSOC, WKKT, and was instrumental in the founding of WFAE 90.7 FM Charlotte Talks morning show. In addition, with his sons, he helped his daughter establish and build a thriving dog grooming business in Mooresville, North Carolina. Phil enjoyed taking walks to ponder, as well as fishing, gardening, horseback riding, swimming, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Chris proudly home schooled their children from grade school through high school. In addition to his parents, Phil is survived by his wife of 34 years, Christine Winters Upton; a daughter, Whitney Windecker and husband Daniel of Vacaville, CA; two sons, Philip “PJ” Upton II and wife Cassie of Rolesville and their daughter Adelaide Upton; Drew Upton and wife Aaren of Huntersville and their daughter on the way, Evalyn Upton; and two brothers, Nathan Upton and wife Heidi of Flat Rock and Don Upton and wife Margaret of Auburn, AL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization at http://secure.dav.org or funeral expenses for Phil Upton I at https://www.gofundme.com. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.

Reverend Clifford Neal West, MDiv 1982, 76, of Riverview Heights, West went peacefully home to be with his Lord at his home following a courageous battle. He was born in Spencer on October 25, 1940: son of the late Warden R. West and Viola (Rogers) West. On July 13, 1974, he married the love of his life, Lenora (Trimble) West, who survives. Clifford is survived by three wonderful children: Cherri West of Linn, Andrea Heath and husband Scott of Weston and Patrick West and wife Melody of Winder, GA and five grandchildren: Trenton and Adisson Heath, Mason Watkins-Boss, Evan Sisk and Lilly West. He is also survived by one sister: Dolores Boggs and husband Wayne of Looneyville, WV, one sister-in-law: Mabel West of Spencer and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Clifford was preceded in death by one brother: Earl Wayne West. Clifford graduated from Spencer High School in 1958. He then joined the US Navy for four years and accepted the call to ministry upon honorable discharge in 1962, serving churches for 44 years throughout West Virginia (Weston, Shinnston area, Johnson Avenue in Bridgeport, Mount Hope, Heart and Hand House in Philippi, New Haven) and in Stanton, Kentucky. Clifford graduated from Asbury College with a B.A. in 1978. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1982 with a Master of Divinity. Clifford lived his life to the glory of God in ALL that he did! He believed in serving Christ by serving others. Therefore Clifford served others through various organizations: Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and prison ministry at FCI Gilmer. He also served in ministry through the Lewis County Ministerial Association, Evangelical Association of the WV UM Church, Our Neighbor Ministry, Lewis County Parish, UM Board of Ministry, Mountaineer United Christian Ashram, Chaplaincy programs at various hospitals, and district youth ministry programs. Many were blessed to hear him sing, and his jokes brought laughter. Many were loved by “Pap,” and he faithfully prayed for them all by name. Many will miss him, and those who have heeded The Word he proclaimed will join him again in the Presence of the Lord, whom he served faithfully “until his race was finished.” Online condolences and life stories in memory of Cliff may be expressed at hardman-palettifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mountaineer Christian Ashram Scholarship Fund 172 S. Florida Street Buckhannon, WV 26201. 

The Reverend Doctor Floyd Naylor Wright, MDiv 1982, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at the age of 78. He was originally a poultry farmer in Denton, Maryland. After accepting Christ, he attended Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary and became an ordained United Methodist Minister in the South Alabama-West Florida Conference. He ended his career as a Hospice Chaplain in Panama City, Florida. The last part of his life, he lived in Odenville and enjoyed working in his yard, fixing up cars and spending time with his family. He never met a stranger and always made people laugh. Dr. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick Foulks Wright, Evelyn Naylor Wright, and his granddaughter Elizabeth Waller. He is survived by his former wife and best friend Sarah Wright, his brother Edward Wright, his sisters Norma Fleetwood and Linda Simms; his daughters Mary Beth Waller and Suzanne Freeman and her husband Neal Freeman and his three grandchildren Sarah Waller, Ryan Freeman and Emily DePew. Because he supported and enjoyed talking with veterans, the family requests donations to Wounded Warriors in lieu of flowers at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Check the box “Make this gift in honor or memory of an individual.” Please check the box “Mail an acknowledgement of my donation.” Include Floyd Wright as the recipient’s name and add 54 River Bend Circle, Talladega, AL 35160 as the recipient address. 

See all articles


9 responses to “Obituaries”

  1. Bill Payne says:

    Dr. Kinghorn was a giant in Methodist history. I owe so much to him. I am thankful that he ministered so faithfully to the students at ATS. May God rest his soul and give him the reward of the righteous.

  2. Kevin Barron says:

    Dr. Kinghorn was my professor at ATS in a class on the Holy Spirit. He taught us well and you could tell his love was for Jesus. God bless his memory.

  3. Dr Kinghorn introduced me to the glory of church history. Working with converts from other faiths who are ostracised for embracing a strange foreign religion, telling stories from church history helps believers to realise that they belong to a movement that has thrived for 20 centuries. It is a security building exercise for them.

  4. Wayne Sawyer says:

    I agree with these comments. I have benefited greatly from being his student in several courses. May his influence continue to bless many lives.

  5. Harry F. Wood says:

    Dr. Kinghorn was teaching on the Reformation and the Biblical teaching of Justification by Faith. It was in that class that the assurance came to my soul that indeed It is Christ and Him alone that provides for my salvation. What a release, what a blessing, what an impact from the influence of a master teacher.

    Harry F. Wood (Class of ’73)

  6. Dennis Barnett says:

    The Lord used Beverly Barnett, my uncle, in bringing me to Christ and leading me to Asbury for ministry preparation (MDiv 1978). Our Lord also used Bev’s older brother, Glenn (Wesleyan missionary with Janice in Haiti for 16 years) an earlier ATS grad in calling me to be a missionary when I was 9 attending the Houghton camp meeting with my grandfather, Rev. Clarence Barnett (Glenn & Bev’s dad) a retired Wesleyan pastor. Glory to God!

  7. Wade Compton says:

    Dr. Kinghorn was a gracious and loving soul. I am very thankful for the way he blessed my life.

  8. Wade Compton says:

    Phil Upton was a great guy to be around. He was very deep, theologically astute and full of humor and fun. He was an excellent leader for our class and student body. I look forward to the reunion and laughs ahead with him. God bless and care for his loved ones.

  9. Manuel Tabujara says:

    I was an International Student at Asbury Seminary in 1974. Dr. Kinghorn’s kind and loving spirit encouraged me so much.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *