Daniel Clayton Hindman, age 77, went to be with his Lord June 7 at Helen Keller Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Dan was born to W.S. (Swanson) Hindman and Florence Quinn Hindman March 18, 1939, in Franklin County. He attended school in his home community of Hodges and graduated from Vina High School in 1957. Prior to his high school graduation he married the love of his life, Shirley Mae Davidson, Oct. 27, 1957.They enjoyed a partnership that spanned almost 60 years.

Soon after graduation, he and Shirley left Franklin County for Livingston State College (now West Alabama University), Livingston, to further his education. He completed college with a B.S. degree in 1961 and returned to North Alabama, where he began his career in education at Phillips High School, Bear Creek. Following serving as a teacher and coach at Phillips and Vina High School, he served as principal of the Hodges Junior High School for one year before returning to Livingston in 1968 to obtain his Master of Education Administration. Education, both personally as well as professionally, was important to him, and he continued his education by attending the University of North Alabama.

Mr. Hindman began working with the Russellville City School System in 1969 and served as principal of College Avenue Elementary School from 1970-1980. Following a three-year period in which he served as the first branch manager of the Citizens Bank of Hodges, he returned to the field of education and ultimately retired as principal of Hackleburg High School in 1997.

While his work in education was his job, his calling and true passion was a minister and pastor. He was ordained by the First Missionary Baptist Church, Hodges, Sept. 21, 1974, and began serving as pastor of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Detroit, Ala. Over his 42 years preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, he held numerous revivals, countless weddings and funerals, in addition to serving as pastor of Burnout Missionary Baptist Church, Burnout, and Crestview Missionary Baptist Church, Russellville, where he was recently honored as pastor emeritus.

Funeral services were held June 10 at 5 p.m. at the Burnout Missionary Baptist Church, Vina, with Bro. Danny Stanford, Bro. Roger Akers and Bro. Eddie Glasgow officiating. Burial was in Burnout Cemetery, Vina.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Davidson Hindman, Russellville; daughters, Sharon Hindman Hester and husband Randy, Russellville, and Terry Hindman Mann and husband Stan, Rienzi, Miss.; grandchildren, Mysti Mann Hively and husband Chad, Anna, Texas, and Kristofer Klae Mann, Denton, Texas; sisters, Faye Hindman Guinn and husband Foy and Joyce Hindman Baker and husband Jerry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, William Taft Davidson and Gertrude Taylor Davidson.

Pallbearers were Stan Mann, Randy E. Hester, Klae Mann, Chad Hively, Junior George and Donald Gober. Honorary pallbearers were the men who are co-laborers as pastors, evangelists and preachers in the spreading of the gospel of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Visitation was June 9 at Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, and he laid in state June 10 at Burnout Missionary Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Franklin West Camp, P.O. Box 1203, Red Bay, AL 35582.