Dr. J. Wendell Runion

Asheville Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Runion, 76, went to be with the Lord Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. Dr. Runion was the son of the late Claude Edger Runion and Zora Belle Fore Runion and was also preceded in death by his brother, Calvin Runion. He was a native of Madison County and graduated from Owen High School in Black Mountain, NC. He later attended Pensacola Bible Institute in Pensacola, FL, and was ordained into the ministry January 20, 1973 at Trinity Baptist Church. He received his Bachelors Degree of Theology and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Baptist College in Knoxville, TN. In addition, he earned his Ph.D. in Religion from Emmanuel Baptist University in Conover, NC and honorary doctorate from Travelers University in Cairo, Egypt. He was founding pastor of Asheville Baptist Tabernacle (currently Parkway Baptist Church). God gave him a vision to reach the world for Christ and in 1996 he founded International Baptist Outreach Missions along with radio stations WKJV-1380AM and WKJW-1010AM. Through these ministries God would change the lives of thousands across the globe. His burden was to proclaim that Jesus Christ died on a cross, bore the sins of the human race, and rose from the grave so that all who believe can have a home in heaven. Dr. Runion dedicated his life to proclaiming this message of hope. He loved his family and his greatest joy was to see his family have the same desire to live for Christ. He will be greatly missed on earth but it is a comfort to know that this soldier for Christ is finally in the presence of his Savior. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Joyce Ann Ammons Runion; daughters: Lynn Mitchell and husband, Randy of Statesville, Angela Page and husband, Todd of Taylors, SC and Hannah Hensley and husband, Ricky of Burnsville; grandchildren, Bradley, Tyler and Kevin Page, Anna and Joshua Mitchell and Makenzie and Isaac Hensley; sister Lucy Hollifield of Black Mountain and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, April 13, 2018 at Trinity Baptist Church, with Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr., Dr. Keith Gomez, and Dr. Richard Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Flowers are accepted and appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to International Baptist Outreach Missions or WKJV/WKJW Radio at 70 Adams Hill Rd. Asheville, NC 28806.