It is with heavy hearts, yet profound gratitude for a life lived in service to the Lord, that we announce the passing of Leslie Glenn Tyndall, who arrived in Heaven to a thunderous chorus of “Oh Happy Day” on March 5, 2026.
A loving husband, brother, grandfather, friend, and father to his own two kids as well as a father-like figure to hundreds of college students, Glenn lived out his faith through works (James 2) and his beloved music.
Born on February 5, 1942, in Kinston, NC, Glenn began his faith journey at Queen Street United Methodist Church (UMC). He discovered his love of music in the 8th grade when he began singing in the adult choir and continued to do so until he graduated high school. He was actively involved as a leader for the Grainger High Singers under the leadership of the amazing James Hall. As an undergraduate at Duke, Glenn sang in the Duke Men’s Glee Club, the Madrigal Singers, and the Duke University Chapel Choir. While in seminary at Duke Divinity School, he also sang in the Divinity School Choir.
Upon graduation from Duke, Glenn’s first appointment was in 1968 as Minister of Education/Youth Minister at Asbury UMC in Harrisonburg, VA eventually becoming the Associate Pastor. He used music as a means of getting youth involved in the church, directing some of the very popular musicals of that time, like “Tell It Like It Is.” They toured with this musical with a youth choir in excess of 60 voices.
In 1974, Glenn was appointed to serve as the Director of Campus Ministry at the Wesley Foundation at Virginia Tech. One of his first acts was creating the Wesley Singers. For an organization that previously had no musical involvement, this group quickly grew to nearly 70 voices and toured the eastern and southeastern US on spring break. These spring breaks were not the typical college experience as the Wesley Singers spent their week staying with host families, singing in churches, and pouring themselves into service projects like disaster relief while also having fun in the form of a beach day or a visit to Disney World. This continued for 35 years, and many alumni today say these trips were the highlight of their college experience. His final year at Wesley culminated with a Wesley Weekend worship service at Blacksburg UMC featuring over 200 students and alumni united in voice. At the final service, Glenn’s 8-year-old grandson Madden Wesley, accompanied the choir on the piano playing a Wesley favorite, sacred choral piece by Don Besig titled “Love Grows Here” which sums up Glenn’s love for others and the love that grew within Wesley and beyond.
Glenn felt the call to ministry early in life. He led with faith, wisdom, intellect, compassion, and always walked alongside those in need. Whether it was as a Founder of the Montgomery County Christmas Store, taking students on a “life of the homeless walking tour” on a cold day in the city of Richmond, or serving as a refuge for safety and security during the tragic April 16th shooting at Virginia Tech, Glenn’s impact on the community was profound; leading, loving, and teaching by example. Glenn’s life was not just spoken words but actions often offering spiritual guidance and comfort in times of sorrow. Glenn also shared in many joyful times of celebration conducting numerous United Methodist baptisms and over 100 weddings for friends, family and students.
Glenn was a larger-than-life presence in the lives of his family and every friend he made throughout his incredible life. He made friends playing guitar during summers at the Tyler Place Family Resort in Vermont, and later worked alongside his wife at Camp Alta Mons where he also loved playing his guitar. Glenn will also be remembered for his wit and infectious sense of humor, as well as being an avid sports fan with his favorites being Duke basketball (never missed a game in Cameron during his 4 years in college), Virginia Tech football, Boston Red Sox baseball, plus any sport, music/dance recital, or theater show his child or grandchild was playing in.
Glenn graduated from Grainger High School in 1959. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Duke University in 1963, a Master’s of Divinity from Duke in 1966, and a master’s in religion with an emphasis from church history from Wake Forest in 1977. In 1968, Glenn was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. That same year he and LaVina Stevens were married at Trinity UMC in Winston-Salem, NC.
At home, Glenn was the best husband, father and grandfather ever, never missing a moment in the lives of his family. He taught his family the importance of faith, integrity, love, selflessness, and servanthood, and prioritized his family with unwavering devotion.
He was preceded in death by his father Leslie Earl Tyndall and mother Wilma Keel (Tyndall) Hemby.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, LaVina Tyndall; his brother Gary Hemby and wife Lynn of Marietta, GA; his children, daughter Cheryl “Cherye” Moore and son-in-law Stephen, son Bradley Glenn Tyndall and daughter-in-law Sara, and grandchildren Madden Wesley Moore, Maeleigh Moore and fiancé Eric Davis, Macy Tyndall, and Payton Tyndall; and a host of extended family and friends all over the country who will forever cherish his memory.
A “Celebration of Life and Legacy” service will be held on Saturday, June 13th at 1pm at Blacksburg UMC at 111 Church Street, SE, Blacksburg, VA. A reception will be held immediately following at the Wesley Foundation at Virginia Tech at 209 W Roanoke Street, Blacksburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montgomery County Christmas Store (www.mcchristmasstore.org/donate) or the Wesley Foundation at Virginia Tech (www.vtwesley.com/donate).
“Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:23
(Source: https://www.adamsgreen.com/obituaries/Leslie-Glenn-Tyndall?obId=47500253)