Derrall Kinard

Derrall Leolden Kinard, 92, born February 19, 1934, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on April 11, 2026. He was the 13th of 14 children born to Eugene and Dana Kinard on Firehill in Walterboro, South Carolina. Following graduation from Walterboro High School in 1952, he proudly served in the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was a boxer, winning all but one of his matches. After his military service, Derrall attended North Greenville Junior College and later earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Belmont University.

During a bowling match, Derrall met the love of his life, Harriet Hawkins, a meeting that would become one of his favorite stories to tell. They married on April 1, 1961 (no joking), beginning a remarkable 65-year love story built on faith, laughter, and unwavering devotion. They began their married life in Nashville, later moving to Irmo, South Carolina, and ultimately settling on Lake Murray in Lexington. In his younger years, he loved to go hunting and fishing. After the family moved to Lake Murray, Derrall would be found on the lake water skiing, pulling his children skiing, going sailing, or putting Jet Skis in the water. He was excellent with his hands and could fix just about anything. He loved bird watching with numerous feeders and wood duck boxes in the yard. Another passion of his was attending the sporting events of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Derrall began his career with Ford Motor Company/Windshield Division. He later found his calling in ministry, combining his love for people and his faith. He started with the Baptist Sunday School Board Broadman Press Division before embarking on a 30-year career in Christian music sales with Provident Music. He worked with well-known Christian artists, including Bob Carlisle, DeGarmo and Key, DC Talk, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Larnell Harris, and Sandi Patty, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed.

Derrall and Harriet shared a love for travel, especially when it came to serving others. Together and independently, they participated in numerous short-term mission trips around the world, including Brazil, Romania, Tajikistan, China, Tanzania, Armenia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Nicaragua, South Africa, Turkey, Israel, Guatemala, and Bashkortostan. Whether building churches or encouraging communities, Derrall’s heart for service left a lasting impact far beyond the places he called home. They found their church home at Lexington Baptist Church in 1979. He served in various roles, including Sunday School Teacher in the Children’s department, Youth Group, and College and Career Program. He proudly served as a Deacon and Chairman of the Ushers for many years.

Derrall was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family deeply. In addition to his Wife, he is survived by four children: Dr. Lisa Wilson (Art Dennis), Brant “Bucky” Kinard (Kelly), Murry Kinard (Amy) and Bobby Kinard; seven Grandchildren: Dr. Malissa Etheredge (Chris), Ashlee Bruemmer (Dylan), Harrison, Bryce, and Ellie Kinard, as well as Katherine and Susannah Kinard; and four Great Grandchildren: Clara and Cooper Etheredge, Woods and Blake Bruemmer. In addition to his children and their families, Derrall is survived by his sister, Betty Warren (Ralph), and many nephews and nieces. Derrall was predeceased by his son-in-law, Blair Wilson, as well as 8 sisters: Vera Mole (Hoyt), Lennis Rentz (Eldred), Margaret Mole (Haskel), Lorene Carter (Herman), Grace Lyons (Rudolph), Mildred Hightower (Hayne), Rachel Wellons (Jimmy), and Evelyn Herndon (Eric); 4 brothers: George Kinard (Mazie), James Kinard (Annie Lee), Ned Kinard, and Lehmon Kinard (Alice).

Above all, Derrall loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be remembered as a man of deep faith, unwavering love, and a life well-lived in service to God and others. His faith was not only something he believed, but something he lived out daily—in his work, his service, and his relationships. He would want anyone reading this to know that the path to eternity is found through a personal relationship with Jesus, a truth he carried with him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the lives he touched, and the faith he shared with others.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072, on Friday, April 17th at 1 pm, with visitation to follow. There will be a private family burial at Woodridge. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home is in charge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Lexington Baptist Church Missions Ministry or Senior Adult Ministry.