Harold A. Shirley, 87, of St. Petersburg, Fla., founding pastor of NewKirk Baptist Church in Rock Hill, died Jan. 23, 2016.

Born in Meridian, Miss., he graduated from Samford University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a Baptist minister for more than 50 years in six southern states. His longest residency was in Rock Hill.

Survivors include two children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Davis Shirley, in 2011.