Coot Gilreath's story, submitted by Brenda Dobbins
REV. COOT GILREATH, JR.
Rev. Gilreath was born in Wilkes County on June 3, 1937, to Coot, Sr. and Kathleen Anderson Gilreath. He completed his earthly journey on Tuesday, January 4, 2000, in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the oldest of seven children.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 31, 1955, and was honorably discharged on November 23, 1955.
A graduate of Lincoln Heights High School, he attended A&T College (presently North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University), Wilkes Community College and received a Bachelor of Technology Degree and Masters Degree both from Appalachian State University. He was Director of Veteran Affairs and Affirmative Action at Wilkes Community College where he began his career in 1973.
He married Rosalind Petty on October 8, 1961. To this union was born a son: Gregory (LuAnn) and a daughter: Amy Rose (Gavin) Barringer. There are three grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Gilreath served as the pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro for 33 years. He was also a member of Poplar Spring Missionary Baptist Church, where he fulfilled the role of a deacon before he was called to ministry. Additionally, he held the position of Vice President at the Yadkin Valley Sunday School Convention and was the Minister of Education for the Yadkin Valley Missionary Baptist Association.