Lloyd Steward Dillard, Sr.

CW5 (R) Reverend Lloyd S. Dillard Sr. was born in Axton, Virginia on 8 December 1936, to parents, Hertie Dillard and Everline Wilson Dillard. He was the oldest of 5 children. On 15 August 1962, Reverend Dillard united in holy matrimony to Barbara Ann Pegues in
Birmingham Alabama and as a result of his military career moved to Taipei Taiwan where he was assigned. To this union 2 children were born; Leslie and Lloyd II.
 
A combat veteran, Reverend Dillard served his country for thirty-eight years in assignments both foreign and domestic. He was instrumental in developing both the Master Warrant, which preceded the CW5 rank, and the coveted CW5, of which he became the first African American to wear the rank. His final assignment before retiring in 1997 was as the Deputy Commandant of the Warrant Officer Career Center, Fort Rucker Alabama. His awards included the Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (6th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Staff Identification Badge.
 
 Reverend Dillard answered the call to minister in 1984 while serving under Dr. Reverend Grainger Browning at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. In 1985 the Army moved the family to Fort Rucker. Reverend Dillard joined St Paul AME Church in Ozark, Alabama under Reverend WG Treadwell. The family moved to Fort Monroe, VA, and joined Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Reverend Bernard Lloyd. Reverend Dillard began his study at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA., attaining a Master of Divinity Degree from the School of Theology in May 1993. Pastor Bernard Lloyd licensed Reverend Dillard to preach on 22 July 1990 and ordained him on 14 February 1993 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Hampton Roads, VA. Reverend Dillard served under Reverend Dr. SC Jackson of First Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, Ozark, AL. Reverend Dillard served the Lord in numerous assignments but none more coveted than pastoring the flock of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. He led the flock of Tabernacle for 13 years.
 
Reverend Dillard served the community in a number of organizations to include serving as the 1st Vice Moderator of the St. Mary District Baptist Association, Chaplain of Houston County Alabama Democratic Conference, President , Booker T. Washington Interpretative Museum Board, Executive Council Member of Dothan NAACP, Friends of Ozark, as well as serving as a member of several social and civic organizations.
 
Reverend Dillard departed this life on Saturday, 2 July 2022. He leaves to cherish his
memory, his wife, Barbara; daughter, Leslie, of Saint Robert, Missouri; son Lloyd II of
Orlando, Florida; grandchildren, Ladara of Savannah, GA , Marc, and Elizabeth of Orlando, FL; great-grandchildren, Aubree and Ashton; brother Eric of Charlotte, North Carolina and a host of relatives and friends.
 
Reverend Dillard was preceded in death by his father Hertie Dillard, his mother, Everline
Dillard, and his siblings, Sally, Kathy, Carol, and Charles.
 
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday July 9, 2022 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Military Honors to follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to in Lloyd Dillard's name to the Alzheimer's Resource Center in Dothan, AL. 
 

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