Rev. Johnny Anastatious Dinas, 98, of Grenada, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at his residence. He was born March 25, 1921 in Aberdeen to Greek Immigrants A.K. and Mary Provias Dinas and moved to Durant at the age of 2.   He confessed Jesus Christ as Savior at Durant Methodist Church at the age of 18 in 1939. Rev. Dinas was a graduate of Durant High School where he served as Student Body President, President of Hi-Y, and played football, basketball, baseball, tennis and ran track. He was also selected as most popular boy in high school. Rev. Dinas earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi State University. While at MSU, he was President of the YMCA and was a member of the ODK National Leadership Society, Blue Key Honorary Leadership Society, the Maroon Band and the honorary military and drill group, Scabbard and Blade. He was also awarded the "Scales Christian Character Award", the Outstanding Graduate Award in the School of Education, Outstanding Senior in Class of 1943 and Elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Rev. Dinas honorably served our country in the US Army during World War II with the 88 ^th Infantry Division as a Rifle Platoon Leader. He was wounded in action in the Italian Campaign and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. At the time of his discharge he had achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.

Following World War II, Rev. Dinas attended Duke University Divinity School and earned a Master of Divinity. Rev. Dinas received his first appointment in June, 1950 as pastor of the Coffeeville United Methodist Church. He also served as pastor at Fulton, Tchula, Central UMC in Columbus, Trinity UMC in Greenville, First UMC Pontotoc, First UMC West Point, First UMC Cleveland, First UMC Kosciusko and retired in June, 1986 as pastor at Wesley UMC in Tupelo. During his ministry he also served as Chairman of the Methodist Conference Board of Evangelism,the Board of Health and Welfare Ministries and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Methodist Hospitals in Memphis where he held several officer positions and was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Methodist Children's Home in Jackson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Grenada with Rev. Tom Potter and Rev. Daniel Herring officiating. Interment will follow in the Mizpah Cemetery near Durant. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until service time Friday at the church.

Rev. Dinas is survived by sister-in-law, Athanasia Dinas of Chicago, IL; nephew, Theodore A. Dinas, Jr., Chicago, IL; a first cousin, George Provias of Aberdeen; and other nieces and nephews, Wayne and Melba Smith of Grenada, Charles and Gail Davis of Grenada, Davis and Mary Ann Richards of Starkville, Linda and Ken Futch of Tucker, GA, Jeff and Lottie Davis of Miramar Beach, FL, Margaret Davis and Diana Davis both of Grenada, Smokey Moss and Barry Moss of Ellisville, MS and a host of great nieces and nephews..

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Orena Davis Dinas and twin brothers, Theodore A. Dinas and Constantine A. Dinas.

Pallbearers will be Al Cooper, Scott Crawford, Jerry Dantone, Roy Geiger, David McElwrath and James Potts. Honorary Pallbearers will be Morris Hubbard and Lane Tucker.

Memorials may be directed to "The Samaritan's Fund" at First United Methodist Church – Grenada.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Tarsi, Dr. Weldon, the staff of Mississippi Home Care, the staff of Halcyon Hospice and his devoted home caregivers.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).