Paul F. Douglass

The Reverend Dr. Paul Featherston Douglass, born in Dyer, TN on August 22, 1933, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Brentwood Tennessee at the age of 83. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Featherstone Douglass and Margueritte Mcllwain Douglass, and brothers George Douglass and John Douglass.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Clayton Douglass; his children Clayton (Vickie) Douglass and Jan (Andrew) Bishop; grandchildren Christopher (Lindsey) Douglass, Kimberly (Jeremy) Mangrum, Bradley (Akiko) Bishop and Jennifer (Phillip) Reynolds; 8 great-grandchildren; a sister Ann (Don) Anderson; a sister-in-law Glenda Douglass as well as several nieces and nephews.

Paul attended Lambuth College and graduated from Bethel College. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a Master of Divinity degree, also from Candler. Lambuth later honored him with a Doctor of Divinity degree.

Paul was an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, serving his first appointment to Mifflin, Liberty and Diamond Grove in 1952-53. He went on to serve Sardis-Milledgeville,Friendship and Noah's Ark in Georgia, as St. John's Associate in Memphis, Longstreet in Memphis, Underwood in Memphis, First Church in Martin, First Church in Paris, as Superintendent of the Memphis-McKendree District, as Director of the Memphis Conference Council on Ministries, as Superintendent of the Paducah District, and Beech Bluff-Mount Pleasant. He was active in the Memphis Conference, serving on Boards of Evangelism, Social Concerns, Mission special quadrennial committees for 2 quadrenniums; as Secretary for Conference Commissior on Group Insurance for 8 years; as Chairperson of the Task Force on Campus Ministry; as Chairperson of the Commission on Equitable Salaries; as a member of Work Areas of Higher Education and Ministry and Missions; as a member of the Committee on the Episcopacy; the Conference Council on Ministries; and as a Trustee of Lambuth College. One of the things that meant the most to Paul throughout his ministry was spending time with the people he had the privilege to serve.

Visitation and the funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church St, in downtown Jackson, TN. Visitation will be in Disciple Hall from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm followed by the service at 3:00 pm. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Gardens, 3360 N Highland Ave, Jackson, TN.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to Jackson First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church St, Jackson, TN 38301 or Reelfoot Rural Ministries, 6923 Minnick Elbridge Rd, Obion, TN 38240.

Ministers and Spouses attending will have a Reserved seating section.