Barry Gilreath

Sr.RINGGOLD Barry Gilreath Sr., 65, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Gilreath was born in LaFayette, Ga., on March 18, 1946, son of the late Russell and Mattie Lee Gilreath of Summerville.Mr. Gilreath was a longtime minister for the church of Christ, and served congregations in the tri-state area. He was the founder of Gospel Broadcasting Network and served as executive director until his recent retirement.Mr. Gilreath had served as band director for several local schools. He was the founder and original director of the Wonderful Word Chorus, and organized various music festivals throughout the years.He is remembered as a motivator, encourager, and doer of good works. He is loved and missed by all whom he touched throughout the years.He is survived by his wife, Judy Lenderman Gilreath; son and daughter-in-law, Barry Jr. and Jodi Gilreath, of Florence Ala.; daughters and sons-in-law, Leslie and Wayne Weaver and Melissa and Mike Frost, of Ringgold; grandchildren, Barry III, Christi, Tyler, Nikki,, Hannah and Holly Gilreath, Kayla and Seth Weaver, Alex, Avery and Mallory Frost; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Kinsley Gilreath; sister, Peggy Cordell, of Summerville; mother-in-law, Shirley Lenderman of Summerville; and other family members.Funeral services will be in Dalton, Ga., on Saturday, June 11, at 3 p.m. at Highland Church of Christ where he served as an elder. Minister Jim Dearman, Minister James Andrews, Minister Barry Gilreath Jr., Minister Tyler Gilreath and Barry Gilreath III will officiate. The body will lie in state at the church building beginning at 2 p.m. until the funeral.Active pallbearers are Wayne and Seth Weaver, Mike Frost Barry III and Tyler Gilreath, Eugene and Dustin Cordell, Shawn Johnson and Logan Gass.Honorary pallbearers are Highland Church of Christ elders and deacons along with GBN staff.Burial will be at Woodstation Cemetery in Ringgold.In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions be sent to Gospel Broadcasting Network in Ringgold.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family and view the memorial tributeVisitation will be from 3-8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.