Alabama native and longtime denominational worker Keenar Pharr died Nov. 3 in Signal Mountain, Tenn. He was 88.
Since 1982, he has served as president of Church Growth Priorities, a church vitalization ministry.
Pharr’s ministry-related contributions included serving as president of the Alabama Baptist Training Union, Alabama Religious Education Association, North Carolina Religious Education Association, Southeastern Religious Education Association. Southern Baptist Religious Education Association and as vice president of the Southeastern Religious Education Association.
He also served as moderator of the Mecklenburg Baptist Association in Charlotte, N.C., and as a trustee of Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C.
In addition to his work in the Alabama and North Carolina conventions, Pharr also held leading positions at the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville (now LifeWay Christian Resources) during the 1960s and the Florida Baptist Convention from 1969 to 1981.
A native of Gadsden and Fort Payne, his work with the Sunday School Board took him around the world, and he served as a planning consultant for the Orient Bible Teaching Crusade throughout Asia.
He was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Southern Baptist Religious Education Association in 1991. A U.S. Army sergeant, Pharr also served as a consultant to the U.S. Armed Forces Chaplains Board 1960-1967.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Faulkner Pharr; two daughters; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Signal Mountain Baptist Church in Signal Mountain, Tenn. Burial was in Fort Payne.
(BP)
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