The Right Reverend Frank Harris Vest Jr.

The Right Reverend
Frank Harris Vest, Jr.
Reverend Vest, Jr., 72, the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, formerly of Charlotte, died April 5, 2008, at Westminster-Canterbury, Lynchburg, VA. Born January 5, 1936 in Salem, VA, he was the son of the late Frank Harris Vest and Viola Woodson Vest.
After graduating from Blacksburg High School, Frank was valedictorian and president of the student body at Roanoke College, class of 1959. He received his Master of Divinity, cum laude, from Virginia Theological Seminary, where he again served as president of the student body. Frank was also a recipient of several honorary degrees. Ordained in 1963, he served as curate at St. John's, Roanoke and as rector of Grace Church, Radford and Christ Church, Roanoke. In 1973, he was called by Christ Church, Charlotte, NC, where he served as rector for thirteen years. He was elected Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina in 1985, and installed in the chapel at Duke University, where he later taught as a visiting lecturer. In 1989, Frank was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Southern Virginia and was installed as diocesan bishop in 1991, where he served until his retirement in 1998. After his retirement to Lynchburg, he served as interim rector at St. Barnabas and Trinity Episcopal churches, interim chaplain at Virginia Episcopal School, and interim rector at St. John's. His ministry was one marked by his strong administrative and pastoral skills. An eloquent and gifted preacher, Frank is also remembered for his unfailing sense of humor, his abiding compassion, and his strong commitment to respecting the dignity of every human being.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ann Jarvis Vest, of Forest, VA; his children, Nina Vest Salmon and her husband, Jerry, of Lynchburg, VA, Frank Harris Vest, III and his wife, Legare, of Nashville, TN, and Robert Alexander Vest and his wife, Katherine, of Charlotte, NC; eight grandsons, Marshall, Patrick, and Harris Salmon, Frank, Alec, and James Vest, and Alex and Henry Vest; one granddaughter, Ann Mason Vest; a brother, James Aurich Vest, and his fiance, Renee Collet Fisher of Bedford, VA; a mother-in-law, Nina Cauthorn Jarvis, of Bedford, VA; two brothers-in-law, Harold Wheatcroft Jarvis and his wife, Gale, of Roanoke, VA and Robert Cauthorn Jarvis of Bedford, VA; a niece, Catherine Vest Olson and her husband, Kyle, of Afton, VA; and two nephews, Greg Jarvis and his wife, Anna, and Steve Jarvis, all of Roanoke, VA.
A celebration of Frank's life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Michael R. Sullivan officiating. The family will receive friends and visitors immediately following the service in Magill Hall and other times at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider memorial contributions to St. John's Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, PO Box 3123, Lynchburg, VA 24503 or St. John's Episcopal Church, Bedford, 314 N. Bridge St., Bedford, VA 24523 or Westminster-Canterbury, 501 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, VA is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.