Walter Loyd Pelham Jr.

Rev. Walter Loyd Pelham, Jr., was greeted in heaven on January 9, 2025, by our Lord and Savior, and his wife Winona who passed October 20, 2024. Now, he and Winona are walking hand in hand on the streets of gold where their love will continue through eternity.

Loyd, a loving father who had turned 90 two days prior, is survived by his daughter, Krista (Jack) Beasley, Attalla; and his son, Shawn (Catherine) Pelham, Statesboro, Georgia. He leaves a legacy of five grandchildren: Jared Pelham, Statesboro; Elizabeth Pelham, Statesboro; Jack Beasley, IV, Attalla; Rebekah Beasley (Bryce Hunt, Fiancé), Tupelo, Mississippi; and John Beasley, Attalla.

Loyd was preceded in death by his parents W. Loyd Pelham, Sr. and Annie Mae Pelham White, and his sister, Caleata Pelham Sallas. He was born in Abbeville, Alabama, January 7, 1935, then grew up in the Cowarts Community near Ashford, Alabama, graduating from Ashford High School in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard College (Samford University) in 1956. While at Howard, he played left field on the varsity baseball team, and even had an opportunity to go a farm league. Through the years, he supported the Virgil Ledbetter Scholarship for Prospective Athletes. He began his ministry as a pastor at Antioch Baptist Church, Ashford, Alabama, where he received his Certificate of Ordination and met the love of his life, Winona Dupree, who was the Chairman of Deacon’s daughter. They married August 23, 1959, and celebrated sixty-five years of marriage before her passing. In 1961, he earned a Bachelors in Church Music (vocal performance) and graduated with his Master’s in Church Music in 1962 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Loyd served in churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida as a minister of music, youth, seniors, and sometimes associate pastor. After thirty-three years in full-time ministry, Loyd retired then graduated from The American College in 1992 as a Certified Life Underwriter and in 1993 as a Certified Financial Consultant with a Series 7 Securities’ License. He worked for Prudential Life Insurance, and later served as a Branch Manager with BBVA Compass Bank in Leeds, Alabama, officially retiring in 2002. He was also a longstanding member and soloist with the Alabama Singing Men, and a faithful choir and church member of First Baptist Church, Gadsden, Alabama.

Loyd was gifted in music vocally and enjoyed playing the acoustic guitar. He loved all sports, especially baseball and football, and played on many church teams. He was always ready to go fishing with his son or grandson, especially enjoying fly fishing. He relished watching old westerns, and was an avid crossword puzzler. Furthermore, he thought there was nothing better in the world than his wife’s cracklin’ cornbread, wearing baseball caps, and chewing on toothpicks.

Pallbearers will be his son Shawn Pelham; son-in-law Jack Beasley, III; brother-in-law Rev. Tim Kelley; grandsons Jack Beasley, IV and John Beasley; grandson-in-law Bryce Hunt.

A very special thanks to Gadsden Regional and Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gadsden First Baptist Church Music Ministry, Kyuka Baptist Church mission ministry, or Autism Speaks.

Service and visitation will be hosted by Morgan Funeral Chapel and Crematory on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Gadsden First Baptist Church Chapel. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Matt Alexander, officiating. Graveside/burial will follow at Kyuka Baptist Church Cemetery in Duck Springs, Attalla.