W.D. Jeffcoat

Mr. (W.D.) William Dawson Jeffcoat age 84, of Murray, Kentucky, died Saturday, August 02, 2014 at the Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Jeffcoat was born on October 17, 1929 in Black Oak, AR. His parents were the late (H. D.) Henry Dawson Jeffcoat and Eunice Swafford Jeffcoat. Mr. Jeffcoat was a Gospel preacher and a Hymnologist. He received his higher education at Itawamba Community College, Memphis State University, Freed-Hardeman College and Harding Graduate School of Religion. He is an Honorary Graduate of Memphis School of Preaching.
He has preached for many years including considerable radio preaching, and has spoken during numerous Bible lectureships.
Mr. Jeffcoat has written for such religious journals as the Gospel Advocate, Spiritual Sword, First Century Christian, Voice of Freedom, Firm Foundation, and various other periodicals. He has contributed chapters to several books and has also authored several books. Much of his writing in various journals, as well as numerous lectures, has involved church music, the evils of alcoholic beverages, Church Restoration History, and Civil War History.
For several years he directed the Freed-Hardeman College Chapel Singers, including both mixed chorus and male quartet, who made personal appearances in many states and recorded for International Gospel Hour, in addition to television appearances each Sunday. The crowning achievement of his life was "His" hymnal. He was the compiler and editor of Sacred Songs of the church, a hymnal of 946 songs that was published in 2007.
Since 1957 he has written over five hundred sacred songs, many of which have been published in such hymnals as Christian Hymns III, Precious Praises, Songs of the Church, and Church Gospel Songs and Hymns, several of which have been translated into foreign languages. He has an extensive collection of music material including over one thousand hymnals, several of which date to the 1700's.
The Metro Manila School of Preaching in the Philippines Islands, school theme song was written by Mr. Jeffcoat.
Survivors include wife Betty Wheeler Jeffcoat of Murray, they married on June 26, 1948 in Fulton, MS., three daughters, Rose Wyatt and husband Larry of Almo, KY., Cindy Wood and husband Tim of Bartlett, TN., Carol Davis and husband Brian of Jonesboro, Ark., six grandchildren, Joy Logan and husband Rob, of Starkville, MS; Matthew Wyatt and wife Jenni of Benton, KY; Dawson Wood and Dr. Leah Wood, both of Bartlett, TN; Bonnie Davis of Nashville, TN, and Michael Davis of Knoxville, TN. Seven great grandchildren survive, Wyatt and Tadd Logan, both of Starkville, MS; Alexia Wyatt, Lilly Wyatt, Jackson Wyatt, Devin Wyatt and Allie Wyatt, all of Benton, KY. Also surviving are special family friends, Leonard and Nancy Sherouse of Alachua, FL and Fred and Sherry Horton, of Jonesboro, AR.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 4 – 9 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home. Funeral and burial services will be held in Fulton, MS.
Expressions of sympathy may go to; Southern Christian Home, 100 West Harding Street, Morrilton, AR 72110.

Online condolences can be left at; www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com