Rev. David W. Briddell (STH’55)
This obituary was originally posted on the Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home and can be found here.
Reverend David Wesley Briddell, of Berlin, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 20, 2022, with his family present. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jane Brice Briddell, his daughter, Jocelyn Briddell, his younger brother, John C. Briddell (Emma), his granddaughter, Syeeda Thomas Briddell, and several nieces and nephews. His son, Mark Briddell, predeceased him in 1988, as well as siblings, William D. Briddell (Elsie), Carlton Smack (Sarah), and Helen P. Briddell Emerson (John).
Born and raised by his parents, William T. and Elsie C. Briddell, in Berlin, he finished high school and he attended Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) in Baltimore, Maryland. He went on to study and graduate from Boston University Theological Seminary. While there, he was friends with classmate and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ordained as a Methodist minister in 1955, David served two congregations including Shiloh United Methodist Church in Crisfield, Maryland and Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1965, David accepted a position with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, in New York City, where he was responsible for the production of audio visuals interpreting the mission work of the Board. In 1978, he took the position of Director of Intermedia with the National Council of Churches in New York City. He worked overseas with churches and agencies to develop communication and educational programs for adults and children.
In his retirement, David and Dr. Clara Small, a now retired professor of history at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, wrote the book “Men of Color, to Arms!” detailing the historical contribution by African American soldiers to the Civil War (1861-1865). David and his wife wrote a book outlining the history of the Waters, Briddell and Fassett families. David was also elected an honorary life member of the World Association for Christian Communication and to the Hall of Fame of the United Methodist Association of Communicators.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11 AM at Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home, P.A., 1618 West Road, Salisbury. Family visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM. An Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Omega Ceremony will begin at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow the funeral service at Saint Paul’s Cemetery, 10543 Assateague Road, Berlin. If you wish to sign the guestbook, please do so online.