Pastor Michael Dwain Pryor

he Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving for the Life, Love and Legacy of

Friday, The Twelfth day of January Two Thousand Twenty– Four at One Hour before High Noon

444 W. Ledbetter Dr. Dallas, Texas 75224 Pastor Joshua L. Pryor

Pastor Michael Dwain Pryor was the youngest son born to the lineage of the late Founding Pastor, Dr. George Wynn Pryor, and Founding First Lady Sister Alma Jewel Pryor on June 24, 1965. Pastor Michael Pryor delighted in telling the congregation the intriguing story of his father delayed by the police when he was enroute to the hospital to see his wife and new baby (Michael). He expressed satisfaction as he seized the moment sharing, he was the very first baby born after the opening ordination of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

The instant Pastor Michael laid eyes on Stephanie; he knew she was destined to be his wife. Pastor Michael Pryor and Stephanie Betts married on February 11, 1989. They were so close to making 35 years. Together, they built a strong and loving family. Pastor always affectionately told the New Birth congregation how he wanted Stephanie and his relationship remembered. His biblical saying was, “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.” They were a team and partners in the work of the Lord. She labored lovingly at his side while working in the Children’s Church and the Music & Fine Arts Ministry. Although a husband, father, and grandfather, as our Shepherd, he faithfully fed us the Word of God, pouring life lessons into us and giving us biblical wisdom and teachings to live by “where the rubber meets the road.” He provided well for his household and reared his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching them the importance of keeping Christ as the center of their lives. He was a doting grandfather, known affectionately by his grandchildren as “Big Daddy.” Home and family meant everything to Pastor Pryor. He loved his family passionately, with all his heart. Pastor Michael Pryor is a native of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of David W. Carter. After High School, Pastor Pryor attended Mountain View College where he received an Associate’s Degree. He then pursued a degree in Engineering at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. But God placed a burning yearning on his heart to study His Word so that he could preach the gospel. Therefore, he left Texas Tech and the pursuit of earning an Engineering degree and came home to Dallas to enroll and commute to The University of Texas at Dallas to acquire an Education Degree. Upon acknowledging his call to the ministry in 1987, he then enrolled in Southern Bible Institute. This led him to the campus of The University of Texas at Arlington to take an exam, and lo and behold, he crossed paths with the beautiful Stephanie Betts for the second time. He saw her for the first time when she was fifteen, but she was not interested at that time. Their eyes met on the campus of UTA while taking an exam in 1987. They were a couple from that point on! He often told this emotional story to his congregation. Pastor Pryor’s academic preparation included: Criswell College – Master of Arts in Christian Leadership; Dallas Baptist University – BA Degree in Pastoral Ministries in 1994; and Southern Bible Institute – Degree in Theology. Additionally, he attended the University of Texas at Dallas and Mountain View College. Pastor Michael has always been an extremely diligent worker. He started working at the age of 8 years of age for his Uncle James Harrison who owned and operated an Asphalt Company and continued as an employee until he was eighteen. He held positions with: American National Insurance Company, Sales Agent/Accounting; Dallas Independent School District, Substitute Teacher; Frito-Lay and Co., Sanitation Technician; Harrison Asphalt and Paving, Estimator; United Parcel Service, Car Washer/Detail Specialist; and G&D Laundry Cleaners, General Manager. During the early years of marriage, he was a Substitute Teacher for Dallas ISD and worked weekends on a midnight shift at Frito Lay in the Sanitation Department. After working all night, he would attend all the Sunday Services, beginning with the 7:50 AM Service and concluding with the 5:00 PM Service. He

continued this faithfulness until his health began to fail. The diagnosis of Stage 4 Colon Cancer on March 31, 2022, did not slow him down from serving God. He fought a good fight of faith to serve the Lord. After 35 chemotherapy treatments, he was still going strong. But the last three treatments (36, 37 and 38) took a toll on his body. God was saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Pastor Pryor has been pastoring for 26 years. For the past 7 1/2 years, he served faithfully as Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. He also served as the Pastor of Third Avenue Missionary Baptist Church from 1996-2015 as well as the Executive Minister of New Birth from 1990-2015. He dutifully served as an Instructor at Southern Bible Institute for many years. Pastor Pryor also served as the President of the Missionary General Baptist Convention of Texas State Congress; Moderator of the Dallas Regional District Association; Member of Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; Member of Dallas Baptist Minister’s Union; and Member of the National Baptist Convention of America. Pastor Pryor has been blessed to receive numerous awards: The Interdenominational Ministers Alliance Young Pastor’s Award in 1999; Pastor of the Month by KGGR Radio Station in 1998; Man of the Year Award from New Birth Baptist Church in 2006; Induction in the Elite News Religious Hall of Fame on August 25, 2007; and Teacher of the Year at Third Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in 2012. While Rev. Michael D. Pryor has many awards and accolades, his highest honor was that of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving as Pastor and Teacher of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Pryor always said that “As a good steward, I want to be available and supportive to my membership.” John 14:6 – “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Titus 3:8 – “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Pastor Pryor was preceded in death by his father, Founding Pastor, Rev. Dr. George Wynn Pryor and sisters, Tammy Pryor, and Denise Erskine. Pastor Pryor leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife of 34 years, Stephanie Pryor; two sons, Joshua (Michelle), Caleb (Brittany); two daughters, Seaira, and Elizabeth; four grandchildren Solomon, Immanuel, Jewel and Seth; his two nephews Chaz and Simeon Pryor who he helped in raising and rearing; mother Alma Jewel Pryor; sister, Pamela Myers (Adrian); two brothers, Rev. Darrell Wynn Pryor (Michelle) and Timothy Williams; aunt Freddie Pool and several special nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and his loving church family.

T HURSDAY , J ANUARY 11, 2024 6:00 PM PASTOR DAVID WILSON Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church ◆ Dallas, TX ~ O FFICIANT ~

………………..…………..….. Pastor Robert Adams Zion Missionary Baptist Church— Dallas, TX …………………...………..…... Pastor Daryl Horton Mt. Zion Baptist Church—Austin, TX ………………..…………..……….. Pastor Darrell G. W. Pryor Harvest Bible Fellowship— Dallas, TX ……………….. Tribute to Our Daddy: Michelle Pryor Brittany Pryor Elizabeth Pryor

Caleb Pryor Joshua Pryor Seaira Pryor Tribute to My Uncle: Chaz Pryor Radio Ministry: Howard and Jackie English Friend: Reverend Samuel Hawkins

………………..……………..…..….. New Birth Mass Choir ………………..……………...….. Pastor Darrell Wynn Pryor New Covenant Baptist Church—DeSoto, TX

………...….. Golden Gate Directors

F RIDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2024 11:00 AM PASTOR DENNIS JONES Gethsemane Baptist Church ◆ Houston, TX ~ O FFICIANT ~

………………..………………….…..….. Reverend Kerry Ross Son of New Birth …………………...…………....…... Reverend Samuell Pryor Son of New Covenant Baptist Church —DeSoto, TX ………………..…………..……….. Pastor Roy Brackens Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church— Forest Hill, TX ………………..…………..………..…….. New Birth Mass Choir

¨ New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Gilbert Gest, Chairman of Deacon Board/Trustee ¨ Dallas Regional District Association Reverend Kevin Norvell, 1st Vice Moderator ¨ Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas Reverend William T. Glynn - Fort Worth, TX (All Other Resolutions will be turned into the family)

………………….…....….. “Mentor/Friend/My Daddy’s Friend” Pastor Robert Castle Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church—Wichita Falls, TX

……….………….....….. Sister Stephanie Denise Pryor

………………..……………………………………………….....….. Adrian Myers ………………..………………………….....….. Pastor Joshua LeBetts Pryor New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

………………..…………………………...….. Golden Gate Directors

Est. February 11, 1989

There is such great comfort in the assurance that we are not alone in this hour of our great loss. That assurance is affirmed by the many warm and sincere expressions of comfort and sympathy each of you have shown. We extend gratitude for all acts of kindness and concern during this season. Your personal visits, telephone calls, delicious food, cards, beautiful floral arrangements and especially your fervent prayers, are deeply appreciated. May the rich and abundant blessings of the Lord be upon each of you. The love you’ve shown to us will never be forgotten. The Family of Pastor Michael D. Pryor

A CTIVE P ALLBEARERS

Julian Jones Ryan Jones Samuell Pryor Chaz Pryor

Sydney Clayton Tyrone Clayton Mike Clayton

Travis Ward H ONORARY P ALLBEARERS Deacons and Ministers of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church F LOWER B EARERS Ushers of Homegoing Service F INAL R ESTING P LACE Laurel Land Memorial Park Dallas, TX