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Dr. B. Frank Belvin

Bishinik, Durant, OK; Issue: Feb 1999
Transcribed by April (Wharton) Makerney

Longtime Okmulgee, Oklahoma resident, Dr. B. Frank Belvin, passed away January 14, 1999 in Durant, Oklahoma. He was 84.

Dr. Belvin was born to W. J. and Mabel (Powers) Belvin on January 23, 1914 in Boswell, Oklahoma. He was a graduate of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he later taught. He earned a master's degree from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas and a doctorate degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becoming the first American Indian to earn a Ph.D. in theology. He was later awarded an honorary Ph.D. from this seminary.

Dr. Belvin was selected by the Baptist Home Mission Board to serve as missionary to the Apache, Kiowa, Creek and Seminole Indians. During his 40-year tenure, he was responsible for the building of over 60 mission churches and the conversion of limitless numbers of Native Americans to Christianity.

He was appointed to the National Council of Indian Opportunity by President Richard Nixon and to the Indian Task Force by President Lyndon Johnson. He was also invited by President Jimmy Carter to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D. C.

He served on the Human Rights Commission and was named as one of the 16 Outstanding Indians of the United States. He was named to the Bacone Hall of Fame, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Ottawa University Distinguished Service Award. He retired as Consultant on Indian Affairs.
Dr. Belvin has had a number of books written about his life including J. M. Gaskin's "Heroes in Oklahoma" and "God's Warhorse" by Naomi Hunke. An author himself, Dr. Belvin published several books including "The Tribes Go Up", "The Status of the American Indian Ministry" and "Warhorse Along the Jesus Road". He published a bimonthly paper, The American Indian Baptist Voice, for over 30 years.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Wilma (Mibeck) Belvin in 1984, his parents and five brothers including Harry J.W. Belvin, former Principle Chief of the Choctaws.

He is survived by 20 nieces and nephews.

Dr. B. Frank Belvin, 84

Durant Daily Democrat, Durant, OK; Issue: Friday, 22 Jan 1999.
Transcribed by April (Wharton) Makerney

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1999, at Belvin Baptist Church in Okmulgee for Dr. B. Frank Belvin, 84, longtime Okmulgee resident. Belvin died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, in Durant. Burial was in Independence, Kan., under the direction of Kelly Funeral Home, Okmulgee.

He was born Jan. 23, 1914, in Boswell to W. J. and Mabel (Powers) Belvin.

Dr. Belvin was a graduate of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he later taught. He earned a master's degree from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas and a doctorate degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, becoming the first American Indian to earn a Ph.D. in theology. He was later awarded an honorary Ph.D. from this seminary.

Belvin was selected by the Baptist Home Mission Board to serve as missionary to the Apache, Kiowa, Creek and Seminole Indians. During his 40-year tenure, he was responsible for the building of over 60 mission churches and the conversion of limitless numbers of Native Americans to Christianity.

Dr. Belvin was appointed to the National Council of Indian Opportunity by President Richard Nixon and to the Indian Task Force by President Lyndon Johnson. He was also invited by President Jimmy Carter to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D. C.

He also served on the Human Rights Commission and was named as one of the 16 Outstanding Indians of the United States. He was named to the Bacone Hall of Fame, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Ottawa University Distinguished Service Award. He retired as Consultant on Indian Affairs.

Belvin has had a number of books written about his life including J. M. Gaskin's book "Heroes in Oklahoma" and "God's Warhorse" by Naomi Hunke.

An author himself, Belvin published several books including "The Tribes Go Up", "The Status of the American Indian Ministry" and "Warhorse Along the Jesus Road". He published a bimonthly paper, The American Indian Baptist Voice, for over 30 years.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Wilma (Mibeck) Belvin in 1984, his parents and five brothers including Harry J.W. Belvin, former Principle Chief of the Choctaws.

He is survived by 20 nieces and nephews.