Rev. Henry Dillard, Jr.

Obituary For Rev. Henry Dillard, Jr.

Reverend Henry Dillard, Jr was born to the Late Henry Dillard, Sr and Katie L. Stinson-Dillard on Monday, March 3, 1930 in Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia. He was the youngest of seven children.

Rev. Dillard received his basic education in the Lisbon Zion Hill Public School System in Eastman, Georgia. He pursued his post-secondary education briefly at Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia and later pursued a curriculum in Theology with the American College Seminary of Chicago, Illinois.

After becoming acquainted with Elizabeth Lamb, the two united in Holy Matrimony on January 5, 1948 in Chester, Georgia. To this Holy Matrimony were born 10 children. After the birth of their second child, Rev. and Mrs. Dillard relocated their budding family to Gifford, Florida.

In 1961, Rev. Dillard received the call from the Lord to Preach the Gospel. While under the leadership of Reverend James English at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dillard accepted that call. On December 25, 1961, Rev. Dillard was ordained a Minister of the Gospel by Rev. English.

In 1963, Rev Dillard accepted the call to pastor St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in Wabasso, Florida and then in October of 1972 Rev. Dillard co-founded and pastored Canaan Land Missionary Baptist Church in Wabasso, Florida until his retirement in 2006, ending 43 years of faithful service to the Lord and His people.

Rev. Dillard was also a successful businessman in Indian River County. Rev. Dillard owned and operated a local lawn service and landscaping business for over 45 years. His lawn service happily serviced hundreds of citizens of this county and provided countless jobs for many people.

Rev. Dillard was a member of countless organizations in this county and throughout the State of Florida including the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, Prince Hall Affiliated, Friendly Lodge #436 F & AM PHA, Order of Easter Stars Radiant Chapter #88, the Indian River County Ministerial Council and the Pastor’s Association of Indian River County. Rev. Dillard was a member of the Consistory Shriners and obtained the Highest Degree in Freemasonry, that of the 33°.

On, Sunday, February 2, 2020, Rev. Henry Dillard, Jr heard the final and most grand call from the Lord and was called from Labor to Reward. He was received into reward by the waiting arms of Jesus Christ and the loving embrace of his father and mother, brothers and sisters, his Loving wife of 62 years, the Late Elizabeth L. Dillard, and his 2 children, the Late Elma Gene D. McKissick and the Late Edward L. Dillard, Sr.

The memory of this great and mighty Man of God will forever be etched and the hearts and minds of his children; sons, Reverend Joseph W. Dillard, Sr of Atlanta, GA, Henry (Darlene) Dillard, III and Vernon (Anita) Dillard both of Vero Beach, FL; daughters, Ernestine (Julius) Dillard-Modest of Rochester, NY, Claudia (Larry) Franklin of Miami Gardens, FL, Adonai (Adelowo) Adeshile, Shelia (Keith) Hurley, Samatha Dillard, Nickie Norris, and Kristie M. Moore all of Vero Beach, FL; One God-Daughter, Jacqueline Flowers of Vero Beach, FL; 37 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, and 8 great, great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, fellow ministers and parishioners, friends, former client and associates.

Many people who met Rev. Dillard will never forget the profound impact that he left in their lives. He will definitely be missed and celebrated by all who knew and loved him.

Public visitation for Rev. Henry Dillard, Jr. will take place on Friday, February 14, 2020 at Stone Brothers Funeral Chapel in Vero Beach, FL from 3:00pm-7:00pm. A Celebration of his life will convene on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL beginning at 12:00pm. Burial will immediately follow in Gifford Cemetery in Gifford, FL.