“Dale Everette Bilbrey, 83, passed away on June 10, 2026. Born on October 17, 1942, in Jackson, TN, he was the beloved son of William and Martha (Scott) Bilbrey, both of whom preceded him in death.
A devoted member of Brookmeade Congregation at UCC Church and a lifetime member of Highland Chapel Union Church, Dale lived a life defined by compassion for his family, his church, a thirst for knowledge, and his gentle love and service to his fellow man.
Dale graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1960, then completed his BA degree in 1965 from Bethel University in McKenzie, TN.
He continued his “inner calling” when he entered Vanderbilt Divinity School in the fall of 1965; proceeded to Princeton Theological Seminary from 1966–67; and returned to Vanderbilt, where he earned his M.Div. in 1969. After his ordination in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Dale worked as a rural pastor in Kentucky for four years and as a Rehabilitation Counselor.
He returned to Peabody College and received his degree in Library Science in 1978. As a member of the Graduate School staff of Scarritt College from 1981–1989, Dale often volunteered at The Upper Room, a global interdenominational Christian ministry and publishing organization.
Equipped with his library degree, Dale then moved to Memphis, TN, to become Head Librarian at the Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he remained until 1999.
He next moved to the vocation in which he would serve for the remainder of his working years. He achieved his certification as a chaplain by working at a VA Trauma Center in Memphis and later at The Med until 2000. It was here that the doctors would call Dale to calm situations which occurred in this less-than-ideal environment.
Finally, so he could be a help to his father, who was ill at the time, he returned to Nashville and took the position of Hospice Chaplain for Gentiva Hospice Group and served there for over a decade. He had found his true calling.
He is survived by his sisters, Diane (John Bennett) Lewter and Jane Grissom; nephews, Robert Ben (Sara) and Matthew Lewter; great-niece, Sophia; and numerous cousins and dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to visitation on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 1150 Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN 37072. Additional visitation will be held on June 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at noon, with graveside service and burial at 1:00 p.m.”
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