The Rev. Jarrett Parke Renshaw, 87: ‘Was committed to civil rights and race relations'

You'd be hard-pressed to question the Rev. Jarrett Renshaw's commitment to race relations. The United Methodist minister was a founding member of the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta.

For 25 years, he was involved in the organization's various projects. He served on its board of directors and as its chaplain. He was a recipient of the organization's Legacy Award for being a founding member.

"He was our first white member and the first white male we honored," said the Rev. Timothy McDonald III, a former president of the organization. "He didn't differentiate by race or denomination. He was a bridge builder. We honored him for his spiritual involvement and support."

On Sept. 24, the Rev. Jarrett Parke Renshaw died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at Odyssey Healthcare of Atlanta Inpatient, a hospice in Decatur. He was 87.  A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Decatur First United Methodist Church.

The Memphis-born minister earned two degrees from Emory University -- a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943 and a divinity degree in 1949. Afterward, he served five small United Methodist churches near Wrightsville before he and his first wife, Eunice Whiting, became missionaries in Brazil. He was pastor of a church in Maringa in the Brazilian state of Parana.

Next, the Rev. Renshaw taught Portuguese in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, to missionaries in training. He spoke the language so well many thought he was a native Brazilian.

In 1966, he returned to the United States and earned a doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Florida. Two years later, he became an associate professor at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

In 1978, he married Mary Grable Renshaw, his wife of 32 years. The couple moved to Piracicaba, a town in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, where he taught at the Methodist University of  Piracicaba  and oversaw three churches.

"We had an amazing four years there," his wife said. "I was able to teach in the university on a limited basis. I look back and marvel at that experience."

In 1982, the couple returned stateside and he joined the staff at the Christian Council of Atlanta. He helped found the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta during this time.

"His work in race relations has been marvelous," said L. Bevel Jones, a retired United Methodist bishop. "He was so committed to civil rights and good race relations. He was respected by ministers from all denominations."

In the mid-1990s, the Rev. Renshaw was pastor of Atlanta's Park Street United Methodist Church. He helped form the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta and served as a board member.