Barry Gilreath

Barry Gilreath, Sr., 65, Ringgold, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, June 7^{, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Gilreath was born in Lafayette, Georgia on March 18th, 1946, son of the late Russell and Mattie Lee Gilreath of Summerville.}

Mr. Gilreath was a long-time 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 Alabama, 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, Georgia 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 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.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be sent to Gospel Broadcasting Network in Ringgold.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.