Burrell David Dinkins

Dr. Burrell David Dinkins, a devoted United Methodist minister and missionary, passed away peacefully in Wilmore, Kentucky on January 7th, 2025, at the age of 91. His life was marked by a deep commitment to faith, service, and global outreach, leaving a legacy in both the United States and Brazil. 

Burrell, the seventh of eleven children, was born on April 30th, 1933, to Edward and Bessie Dinkins in a small sharecropper house in Madison County, Florida. The family moved to Valdosta, Georgia, where Burrell attended elementary school and high school, and one year at Valdosta State College. He was then given a generous tuition stipend by a church member of Valdosta’s Forrest Street Methodist Church. Burrell chose to go to Asbury College, in Wilmore, Kentucky, because as Burrell put it: “The best preachers I’ve heard had gone to Asbury”. This decision set in motion Burrell’s future ministry and family life. At Asbury, he met another student, Phyllis Diehl from New Stanton, Pennsylvania, and they became college sweethearts. Phyllis was one year ahead of Burrell, and when she graduated, her teaching degree took her to Cuba where she patiently waited for Burrell to finish his studies at Asbury. Burrell and Phyllis were wed in Phyllis’s hometown of New Stanton, Pennsylvania, on August 5th, 1955, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Burrell began his studies for the ministry at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. 

Following ordination as a United Methodist pastor in 1959, Burrell’s appointment took the family to south Georgia, where he served four small churches simultaneously. Just over a year later, the vocational call to be missionaries was answered with an appointment by the Board of Missions to send Burrell and his family to Brazil, where they served from 1961 to 1971. During that time, they helped to establish Methodist congregations in rural areas of southern Brazil. Burrell served as pastor, seminary professor, hospital chaplain, and president of a large Christian school. The energetic and far-ranging work he and Phyllis did transcended borders, and their deep compassion for the people they encountered shaped their ministry for decades to come. 

Upon returning to the United States, Burrell continued his pastoral work in various churches. Known for his creativity, leadership, and spunky spirit, he helped guide countless individuals in their spiritual journeys and inspired several generations of young people to pursue careers in ministry. 

Burrell’s deep love of learning, and drive for professional growth led him to complete a doctorate in pastoral counseling at Emory University in 1976. He went on to serve in that capacity in The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

In addition to his professional pursuits, Burrell was passionate about organic gardening, especially growing tomatoes, learning from videos, and offering frequent unsolicited, but really good advice. These passions would complement his love for reading and for learning. Burrell was always present, always willing to share a hug.

Learning, mentoring and serving continued to be themes in Burrell’s life. In 1977 he moved into academia as a founding professor at Oral Roberts University School of Theology in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While working in Tulsa, Burrell and Phyllis also started three new churches. 

In 1985, after nine years in Tulsa, Burrell and Phyllis moved back to Georgia where Burrell served as a pastoral counselor at Roswell United Methodist Church. 

In 1992, another professional opportunity brought Burrell and Phyllis back to the town where they had met in Kentucky. Burrell served as professor of pastoral care and counseling in the Asbury Theological Seminary from 1992 to 2006, first in Wilmore, then as a founding faculty member of the campus in Orlando, Florida. 

His long career as a minister, counselor and teacher inspired Burrell to share his knowledge and experience through writing, culminating in the publication of two books, titled “Narrative Pastoral Counseling” and “Seasons of Life.”

Retirement in 2007 brought Burrell and Phyllis to Atlanta for another ten years, until their move to Wilmore in 2017 brought their dating and married life full circle. After a beautiful marriage of 64 years, Phyllis died peacefully at Wesley Village Retirement Community on March 8th, 2020. Burrell and Phyllis are now buried side by side at the Wilmore Cemetery, less than half a mile from where they met in 1952. 

Burrell will be greatly missed by friends and family, including his children Randy (Billie), Ruth (Bob), Walter (Becky), Susana (Ray), and Paul (Susan), numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many other members of the extended family. Burrell was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and four brothers. He is survived by one sister and two brothers. In lieu of flowers or other material gifts, those wishing to express their love for Burrell can dedicate a donation in his name to Wesley Village (wvillage.org), or Wilmore Free Methodist Church (wilmorefmc.org) or Bluegrass Care Navigators (bgcarenav.org). A memorial service for Burrell will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm at Wesley Village Retirement Community in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Betts & West is honored to serve Burrell and his family in their time of need. An online guestbook is available at www.BettsAndWestFuneralHome.com