John Steven Delony

Rev. John Steven Delony, 78, of Byhalia, MS went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2025. Rev. Delony was born on January 11, 1947, in Ruston, Louisiana to the late John Elward Delony and Helen Jefcoat Delony. Steve and his three younger siblings grew up in Minden, Louisiana. He attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. While at Tech, he met his wife Shelia Stewart, and they were married on March 9, 1969. The couple would eventually welcome three children Jay, Jeremy, and Joy. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons during their childhood years. After LA Tech, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and later earned his Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. He coached track and field in his early teaching career and many years later - returned to teach Science classes at Byhalia High School where he was affectionately known as “Mr. D”. Brother Steve pastored several Southern Baptist churches in Mississippi and Arkansas. Teaching the Word of God, Discipleship, Prayer, and Pastoring are how most will remember this Beloved Pastor. Brother Steve was a gifted teacher of God’s Word and had a heart for discipleship and seeing people grow in their faith. After he retired from teaching and preaching, he spent many hours studying God’s Word, praying for individuals, praying for his family, and sharing the Gospel in the community. Even as his mind began to falter, he spent hours studying God’s word, praying for others, and reaching out to find out what God was doing in one’s life.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sue Gram; niece, Haley Delony; and grandchildren: Drew, Owen, and three others that he is now with in Heaven. Rev. Delony is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shelia Stewart Delony; son, Jay Steven Delony (Andrea); son, Jeremy Stewart Delony (Laura); daughter, Joy Delony Traylor; grandchildren: Jakin Delony, Logan Delony, Elijah Delony, Hayden Delony, Lily Delony, Logan Reed, Ben Traylor (Jamie), Ethan Traylor (Caitlin), Luke Traylor, Landon Traylor, and Abigail Traylor; great-granddaughter, Magnolia Lynn Traylor; and brothers, Wayne Delony (Joyce) and Pat Delony (Nancy). The family will receive friends for a time of visitation at Brantley Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 5-7 pm. A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church Olive Branch on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm with a time of visitation beginning at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church Missions Fund in his honor.