Services for the Rev. Joe H. Royalty, of Petal, are 10 a.m.Friday, July 31, at Moore Funeral Home Chapel in Hattiesburg withburial in Prentiss City Cemetery.

Visitation is Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeralhome.

The Rev. Royalty, 87, died July 28, 2009, at Bedford CareCenter. He was born in Wiggins on Dec. 7, 1921, to Oscar H. Royaltyand Mattie Burkett.

The Rev. Royalty grew up in Bassfield, where he playedbasketball and graduated from Bassfield High School. He alsograduated from Mississippi College. For 64 years, he served inpastorates in both Mississippi and South Carolina. He also servedas an assistant to E.J. Daniels’ Christ for the World EvangelistAssociation. His evangelistic crusades carried him to South Africa,India, Brazil and Guatemala. His civic activities earned him manyawards including: Star Teacher of the Year at McClure Academy(1982-1983), Outstanding CASA Worker for Forrest County Youth Court(1995-1996), Volunteer of the Year for Forrest General Hospital anda 2000 Mississippi Ageless Heroes Award for community involvementin Petal.

Preceding him in death were his father, Oscar H. Royalty; astepmother, Natalie Royalty; his mother, Mattie Burkett; and astepfather, Guy Burkett.

Survivors are his wife, Emily Polk Royalty, of Petal; adaughter, Sharron Post Royalty, of Petal; a granddaughter,Stephanie Harrison, of England; and a great-granddaughter, EmiHarrison, of Petal.