Walt Isley Obituary (2014) - Greeneville, Tennessee

The Rev. Dr. Walter A. Isley, 74, entered into the nearer presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ of God on Sunday morning. Walt was born in Alabama, the eldest of three children of the Rev. and Mrs. B.B. Isley. Walt has one sister, Ms. Nina Sinclair; and one brother, the Rev. Dr. B.B. Isley, Jr. Walt served as senior pastor of SBC churches for 40 years, then served the last 10 years as a United Methodist Church pastor. He retired in June of 2014. Walt is married to the Rev. Mother Carolyn W. Isley, Priest/Rector of St. James Episcopal. They are the proud parents of two wonderful children: a daughter, the Rev. Kimberly S. Isley, who earned a Master of Divinity degree; her husband is the Rev. Bill Beard; a son: Walter "Drew" A. Isley Jr., who earned a Bachelor of Architecture; his wife is Diana Payne. Walt and Carolyn have three beloved grandchildren: Kaitlin Beard, Spencer Isley and Mason Isley. Walt loved his alma mater, the University of Richmond, Va. where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He met and married Carolyn there 52 years ago. Walt earned master's and doctorate degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.. During one of Walt's earliest pastorates, he taught math and science and coached basketball in public schools. God gifted Walt with a brilliant mind and a great love for Jesus and the New Testament, which he could translate from its original languages. He could read five foreign languages and was blessed to have studied at the feet of the major theologians of the 20th century. Walt spent his life preaching the Gospel and often said, "There are only two kinds of people in the world -- those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and those who do not yet believe it." Walt contended that Christ's teachings call us to work actively for the reconciliation of the races and for equal rights for women. Walt Isley has been a unique gift to the world. He loved traveling to the cathedrals of Europe with Carolyn. He will forever be loved by Carolyn's family, especially Carolyn's mother, sisters, brothers, in-laws, nephews and nieces. He will be buried in Virginia in the yard of the church where he and Carolyn were married. Walt believed that because God raised Jesus from the dead, God will raise us also. Walt's greatest gifts have been steadfastness and a great sense of humor. He has fought a good fight; he has finished the course; he has kept the faith. Thanks be to God for lending Walt to us; he has been one of God's gracious instruments for the coming of Christ's Kingdom on earth. Walt and family are grateful to God for Walt's excellent doctors, including: Dr. Russell F. Devore III (his beloved oncologist), Dr. Garrett Lischer, Dr. John Anderson, Dr. Rangnekar, Dr. Tom Beckner, Dr. Prince, Dr. Beals, and Dr. Philip Thwing who walked with him daily; to his spiritual director, the Rev. Walter Weikel, UMC D.S., and to his friend and colleague, Mr. Richard Jeffers. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Walt Isley, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. print Print Obituary