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The Rev. Robert Maurice Tenery, 89, of Pleasant Acre Drive, Mocksville, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born on July 18, 1932 in Milford, Texas to the late Rev. L.M. and Jewell Gardner Tenery.

He retired as a Baptist minister after 60 years. He pastored six churches in North Carolina and Texas. He graduated from Pfeiffer College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a member of the Governor’s Commission for Infant Mortality and participated in the George H.W. Bush Commission for training leaders in faith-based initiatives. He was president of the NC State Pastors’ Conference and vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. He also served 16 years on the Southern Baptist Convention Sunday School Board. He was chair of the board of directors for Operation Transformation and authored two books concerning Operation Transformation. He was recognized as one of the Who’s Who of Religious Leaders of America.

He was also preceded in death by: a grandson, Darren Martin; a sister, Glenda Faye Gamble; and a brother, James Tenery.

Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Willo’deane Foster Tenery of the home; 4 children, Sam Tenery (Debbie) of Mocksville, David Tenery (Stephanie) of Nebo, Kathy Martin (Gary) of Mocksville and Walt Tenery (Joanne) of Arlington, Texas; 4 grandchildren, Carrie Ratledge (Brad), Josh Tenery, Dustin Martin (Rebekah) and Kelli Ellison (Jeremy); 7 great-grandchildren; a niece and a nephew.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17 at Eaton Funeral Chapel with Dr. Steve Sells, the Rev. Scott Faw, Dr. Dale Robertson and Dr. Paige Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials: Operation Transformation, PO Box 1102, Salisbury, 28145.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.