Darrell Ward Church

Reverend Darrell Ward Church, 77, of Bluefield, WV, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at his home. Born July 12, 1943, he was the son of the late Hermie I. Church and Katie Reeves Hughes. He was a member of Burke Baptist Church, serving on the deacon board, adult Sunday School Teacher, and served as Pastor for 16 years. Rev. Church also served as pastor of Beartown Memorial Church from October 7, 2012 until the present. Rev. Church also served in the National Guard and was a Staff Sargent. He was also employed for several years as a coal miner and did construction work. In addition to her parents, he was proceeded in death by his brothers, Hermie L. Church and John T. Church; sister, Wanda Simpson Church; wife of 29 years, Arletta Burks Church who passed away in 1996; and his late wife of 14 years, Irene “Lillie” Southern Church. Survivors include three daughters, Diana and husband Henry Asbury of Bluefield, WV, Sherry and husband Glenn Hollinworth of Willis, VA, and Donna and husband Mike Roman of Pineville, WV; two sisters, Mary Jo Jarrett of Cleveland, OH, and Betty C. Church of Cleveland, OH; five grandchildren, Tanya Sarver, Mikel Roman, Matthew Roman, David Demarcy, and Dustin Williams; four great-grandchildren, Sam Sarver, Abby Sarver, Matthew Roman, Jr. and Peyton Roman; a host of friends also survive. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Brother David Bailey, Brother Blaine Cecil, Brother Ualdas Bailey, and Brother Earnest Francis officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Family Cemetery on Burke Mountain in Keystone, WV where Kevin Sarver, Mikel Roman, Michael Roman, Matthew Roman, Ivan Kelley, and Robert Fowler will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.cravens-shires.com. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV is serving the Church family.