David Harold Churchill was welcomed through the Gates of Heaven, into the arms of Jesus, and into the presence of God on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from his home in De Kalb, Texas. He was 88 years old.
Harold was born August 19, 1935 in De Kalb, Texas to Nathan and Eula Mae (Caddenhead) Churchill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David Ira Churchill; and one brother, W.C. “Dub” Churchill.
Harold is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce Spinks Churchill; one daughter, Tracie Burkhalter and her husband, Paul of Avery, Texas; one son, Michael Churchill and his wife, Missy of Hooks, Texas; one brother, Leroy Churchill and his wife “ Totsie” of Tyler, Texas; two sisters, Mary Sue Alexander of Rutledge, Georgia and Nelda Adams and her husband, Odell of Wake Village, Texas; seven grandchildren, Tabitha Churchill, Caleb Burkhalter, Christopher Churchill and his wife, Darcy, Joel Burkhalter, Logan Churchill and his wife, Charla, Krista Churchill, and Ariah Burkhalter; seven great grandchildren, Stetson May, Kinzlee Churchill, Kamri Churchill, Spencer Churchill, Titus Burkhalter, Isaiah Burkhalter, and Galadriel “Ellie” Burkhalter; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends – many of whom he loved like family.
Harold surrendered to the Gospel Ministry at the age of 22 and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1966. His lifetime of service to Our Lord and Savior included seven Southern Baptist Churches in Texas: College View Baptist Church, Abilene; Highland Home Baptist Church, Rotan; Friendship Baptist Church, Odessa; Hill Baptist Church, Simms; Calvary Baptist Church, Simms; Avery First Baptist Church, Avery; and Victory City Baptist Church, Hooks.
Harold was involved with service to others through mission trip with Bowie Baptist Association, Calvary Baptist Church, Avery First Baptist Church, work at Children’s Camps at Lakeview Baptist Encampment, Avery Big A Ministries (which he organized and directed) and Big A Basketball (which he coached), and many years of service at Victory City Baptist Church Food Pantry.
Harold was a member of the De Kalb Riding Club and an advanced fisherman. The most unusual of his interests was “H & J Pet Food Farm” where he raised countless white mice and rats for almost fifteen years. After retiring from “Mouse Farming”, he began woodworking and made gifts for family and friends, and items for sale.
Today, Harold Churchill would say to you, “Make certain that your future in Heaven is secure. Trust Jesus as your personal Savior today. Tomorrow could be too late.”
“Brother Harold”, “Dad”, “Grandy” will never be forgotten. He will continue to live in our hearts and memories, reminding us of the love and joy he brought into our lives. Memorial Services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Avery First Baptist Church following a private family burial.
Visitation will be held 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas.
The family requests memorials be made to Avery First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 56, Avery, TX 75554 or the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Texarkana, TX.
Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.
