sisters and two Girl Scouts while celebrating International
Girls’ Day. Delk was a Union student and Kappa
Delta member her freshman year. | Photo by Emilee Hartman
By Deshawn Manley
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
For the late Beverly Delk, former art major from Franklin, this was a basis for how she lived her life.
Delk died unexpectedly on Jan. 29 after recent complications from acute leukemia.
She took the life the Lord had graciously given her and spread his love and joy to everyone around her.
Delk attended Union from 2012 to 2013 and transferred to Middle Tennessee State University in fall 2013.
Throughout Delk’s freshman year at Union, a common theme can be seen in the way she lived her life, that of enthusiasm, joy and a passion to serve her savior.
“Whether it be staying up late working on an art project or hanging out with her friends, she always put her whole heart in to everything she did and exemplified Christ through it all,” said Emily Russell, junior psychology major and Kappa Delta president.
“She was a firm believer that despite what you are going through, despite the highs and the lows, you can still have your joy because it comes from the Lord,” Russell said.
In her short time as a student at Union, Delk touched the lives of both faculty and staff with her undeniable love for the Lord and enthusiasm to serve her school, community and Kappa Delta.
Delk joined Freshman Council in the fall of 2012.
Karen Taylor, associate director of Student Leadership and Engagement, met Delk as soon as she joined.
She said she was blown away by her enthusiasm, excitement and outgoing personality.
Delk had a way of voicing and generating activity within Freshman Council that got things done and got people excited about doing them.
“She helped unify the freshman class by meeting a lot of people and being a great liaison between the other council members and her class,” Taylor said.
There was no doubt that Delk had an incredible sense of positive and enthusiastic leadership.
“I do not think I have ever met anyone with more joy in my life.” Russell said. “It was abounding.”
