Rev. Lee Roy Denton

Rev. Lee Roy Denton, age 97, of Weaverville went to be with the Lord, Monday, August 19, 2024.

Rev. Denton was born October 4, 1926, in Burke County, NC to the late Lincoln Sylvester and Martha Miller Denton. He was a graduate of George Hildebrand High School, attended Gardner Webb College (1954-1956) and graduated from Limestone College in 1958. He attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 1958-61 where he received his M.Div. Rev. Denton was the pastor at Chesnee Southside Baptist Church in Chesnee, SC during his college and seminary years. He was pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Morganton from 1961-1965, Riverview Baptist Church in Lincolnton, NC from 1965-1969 and then became pastor at First Baptist Church Weaverville from 1969-1989 where he retired. After retirement he served as interim pastor at many churches throughout Western North Carolina. He served on several NC Baptist Convention and Buncombe Baptist Association denominational committees through the years. During the Korean War he served in the US Army. Roy enjoyed golf, woodworking, and gardening. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ruby Mabe Denton who died in 2016; siblings, Clyde, Hubert, Nina, Naomi, and Wade.

Surviving Rev. Denton are his daughter, Phoebe Penley and husband Dennis and their children, Adam (Tiffany) Penley, Alex (Kelly) Penley, Austin (Elizabeth) Penley, and grandchildren, James, Brayden, John, Emily, Lincoln, Addie Mae, and Bo Penley (due next month);  son, Jimmy Denton and wife Shelia and their children, Kaleigh (Staley) Brown, Kassie (Trent) Waller, Kaleb (McKayla) Denton, Kaison (Jessica) Denton, and grandchildren, Hudson and Hallie Brown, Steele and Sky Waller, and Krue and Creed Denton; son, Doug Denton and wife Julia and their children, Rebecca, Holly and Jake Denton, and Sister, Vergie Swinson. Special thanks to Mr. Denton’s care giver, Jill Penland for the special blessing she was to him and the family.+++

Rev. Denton’s funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm, Friday, August 23, 2024, in Newbridge Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Rev. Brian Buckner and Rev. Clark Henderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Veteran’s Section of West Memorial Park with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends from 12:15 to 2:15 pm on Friday at the church prior to the funeral. At other times, the family will be at the home, 41 Gill Branch Road, Weaverville.

Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 2292, Weaverville, NC 28787.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Rev. Denton’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under his obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.