Frank Harris Vest, Jr. (January 5, 1936 - April 5, 2008) was the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, serving from 1991 to 1998.

The Right Reverend

Frank Harris Vest

D.D., D.H.L.
Bishop of Southern Virginia
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseSouthern Virginia
In office1991–1998
PredecessorCharles Vaché
SuccessorDavid Conner Bane Jr.
Previous post(s)Suffragan Bishop of North Carolina (1985-1989)
Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Virginia (1989-1991)
Orders
OrdinationJune 1963
by William Henry Marmion
ConsecrationMay 19, 1985
by John Allin
Personal details
Born(1936-01-05)January 5, 1936
DiedApril 5, 2008(2008-04-05) (aged 72)
Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
DenominationAnglican
ParentsFrank Harris Vest and Viola Gray Woodson
SpouseAnn Jarvis
Children3
Alma materRoanoke College

Early life and education

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Vest was born in Roanoke, Virginia on January 5, 1936, the son of Frank Harris Vest and Viola Gray Woodson. He was educated at Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, Virginia. He then studied at Roanoke College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1959. He also studied at the Virginia Theological Seminary from where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1962. The same seminary awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1985 and the University of the South awarded him a Doctor of Humane Letters in 1987. He was awarded another Doctor of Divinity by St Paul's College in 1991 and Roanoke College in 1998, respectively. He married Ann Jarvis on June 14, 1961, and together had three children, a daughter and two sons.[1]

Ordained ministry

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Vest was ordained deacon in June, 1962, and priest in June, 1963 by Bishop William Henry Marmion of Southwestern Virginia.[2] In 1962 he became curate at St John's Church in Roanoke, Virginia, while in 1964 he became rector of Grace Church in Radford, Virginia and chaplain at Radford University.[3] Between 1968 and 1973 he served as rector of Christ Church in Roanoke, Virginia. In 1973 he became rector of Christ Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he remained till 1985.

Bishop

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Vest was elected Suffragan Bishop of North Carolina in 1985 and was consecrated on May 19, 1985, in the Duke Chapel, Durham, North Carolina, by Presiding Bishop John Allin. In 1989 he was then elected Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Virginia, with the right of succession. He succeeded as diocesan bishop in 1991 and retired in 1998. He died on April 5, 2008, in Lynchburg, Virginia.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "vest, Frank Harris". Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 2001–2002. 28: 676. 2001.
  2. ^ "Frank Harris Vest Jr". The Episcopal Church Annual: 312. 1976.
  3. ^ "Appointments Accepted". The Living Church. 149: 23. 6 September 1964.
  4. ^ Gravely, Carlyle; Kawamoto, Janet (April 8, 2008). "Frank Harris Vest Jr., eighth bishop of Southern Virginia, dies at 72". Episcopal News Service.
Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by 8th Bishop of Southern Virginia
1991–1998
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Moultrie Moore
3rd Bishop Suffragan of North Carolina
1985–1989
Succeeded by