REV. BELVIN J. JESSUP, B.S., M. Div.
OBITUARY

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

On August 11, 2023 the Lord called his faithful servant Rev. Belvin J. Jessup to his heavenly home.

The Homegoing Celebration for Rev. Belvin Jessup will be held Friday, August 18, 2023 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Greensboro NC 2300 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27403.

The Family Hour will be held from 11 am-12:45 pm
The Homegoing Celebration will begin promptly at 1:00 pm. Interment will be immediately following:
Raleigh's Crossroads United Methodist Church 715 Guilford College Rd, Greensboro, NC, 27409.

Rev. Belvin J. Jessup was born in Westfield, a community in Surry County, North Carolina on July 11,1933. Belvin J. Jessup was the oldest of seven children born to William Rolen and Lula Mills Jessup. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arnetta Mckee Jessup, his parents, his brothers, William McCoy and Kenneth Jessup, his maternal grandparents, Joe Franklin and Lou Mills Franklin, his paternal grandparents, Virlen and Dora Ann Strickland Jessup.

He attended public schools in Forsyth County and Guilford County, and graduated from The James B. Dudley High School, Greensboro North Carolina in 1953. Between 1954 and 1956, Belvin worked at Western Electric Company in Greensboro. On August 28, 1955, he married his High School sweetheart the late Arnetta McKee and they were married for 59 ½ years. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1956 and served in Germany from 1956-1958. In 1961, Belvin entered the ministry and was ordained as a deacon in 1962 when he received a full-time pastor status.

Belvin completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in 1968.The following year Belvin was received into the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and received full connection in 1971, during that same year, Belvin completed his Master of Divinity from Gammon-ITC Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1974, Belvin was selected to participate in an educational program entitled, “The Living Word” sponsored by the United Methodist Church, Western N.C Conference on Continuing Education. In this
program he was privileged to travel and study in Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England.

Upon returning, Belvin continued his studies in theology at Gammon Theological Seminary and received a Master of Theology in 1971. In 1985 he received a certification of Continued Education at Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC. In the spring of 1987, he received “The Most Distinguished Gammon Alumni Award” from Gammon-ITC Seminary.

During 1990-1991, Belvin served as consultant to the bishop and cabinet members on Ethnic Minority Local Church Concerns. In 2001 Belvin ran for a seat on the Greensboro City Council and won. He served as a City Councilman for District 1 between 2001-2003.

Belvin was a very active full-time pastor in the United Methodist Church for 46 years and the last 5 years of his retirement. He served as pastor to eleven churches throughout NC and TN. Belvin was a preacher with great faith, a builder, and a visionary.

He was an active, caring, and giving man of God for many years in addition to being a loving and great provider to his beautiful wife Arnetta and their three children, Belvin Timothy Jessup, Benita Jessup Winstead, Belvin J Jessup II, as well as his four grandchildren, Paisley Jessup, Yasin Shareef, Haley
Winstead, and Medina Shareef.

Belvin loved being asked to be the guest speaker at various engagements, worshipping with friends and family, working with community service organizations, reading, and monitoring political, social and economic events.

He loved his Jessup, Mills and McKee families and always made time for family gatherings. He was proud of his Jessup heritage and especially his name. He was a huge NC A&T Aggie fan and supporter. He had a great sense of humor.

Left to cherish his legacy and precious memory are his three children, Timothy Belvin Jessup (Yvette), Benita Jessup Winstead (Hilton), Belvin Jessup II, and four grandchildren, Paisley Jessup, Yasin Shareef, Haley Winstead, and Medina Shareef, two brothers, Virlen R. Jessup and Oliver T. Jessup (Michelle), two sister’s Carol Jessup Owens and Janice Jessup (Carl Malone), brother-in-law Lt. Colonel Jona McKee (Iris), sister-in-law Marlene Feaster, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21