Around the State_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Around the State

Anniversaries

R.E. Lambert, 65th in the ministry Oct. 16. He preached his first sermon at 15 at East Dallas Church in Dallas. He became a pastor at 19 and served churches in Dayton, Killeen and Dallas. He also was director of missions and stewardship for the Colorado Baptist General Convention prior to his retirement to Fort Worth.

Oak Hills Church in Floresville held a noteburning to signify the payoff of the sanctuary extension. The $18,500 note was paid off in eight months. The total cost was $85,000, of which $66,500 was raised prior to completion. Pictured are Stephan Dawson, Pastor Joel Odom and trustees Del Pearson and Eugene Osburn.

Eldon Johnson, 20th as pastor of Ringgold Church in Ringgold.

Walter Haynie, fifth as pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Nocona.

First Church in Rusk, 150th, Nov. 15-16. There will be a chuckwagon dinner and music Saturday evening. Pictures and items from the church's history will be on display. The anniversary will be commemorated during the Sunday morning service as well. Lee Welch is pastor.

First Church in Fabens, 80th, Nov. 23. Former pastor Bud Goodwin will preach in the morning service. Former pastor Ralph Teague will lead the music. Lunch will precede an afternoon service of music, testimonies and words from other former pastors and members. Josue Valerio, director of missions for El Paso Association, will bring a message of challenge. The event will close with a memorial service remembering deceased members. Warren Coffman is interim pastor.

Milton Capps, 15th as pastor of First Church in Bryson.

Leslie Adams, fifth as pastor of Calvary Church in Rockdale.

Events

The Singing Men of South Texas will present a concert at First Church in New Braunfels Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

Deaths

Gene Hadley, 73, Oct. 12 in Granbury. He began his career as a pastor at age 16 in Tennessee. He continued to be a pastor, and in 1968 came to lead First Church in Granbury, where he remained until his retirement in 1997. He most recently served as interim pastor at Lipan and Greenwood Church in Weatherford. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Margaret; daughters Rebekah North and Sarah Bergen; and five granddaughters.

First Church in Alpine dedicated a state historical marker in conjunction with its 110th anniversary. Shown preparing the site are Allan Pearce and Preston Bonner. Philip McCraw is pastor.

Bill Graves, 86, Oct. 18 in Longview. He and his late wife, Ada, were appointed by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board to serve in Argentina in 1953. He later served in several administrative roles in the Caribbean. He also was a trustee of the Spanish Baptist Publishing House in El Paso. He retired in 1987. Prior to his missionary service, he directed religious education for First Church in El Paso and Travis Avenue Church in Fort Worth. After the death of his wife in 1956, he married his second wife, Christine, who died in 1979. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughter, Sally Gerding; stepson, Paul Basden; step-daughter, Peggy Johnson; and six grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Fay Van Devender, 73, Oct. 23 in Dallas. She was the retired administrative assistant to Ron Smith, former executive vice president and provost at Hardin-Simmons University. She was the wife of George Van Devender, professor of English emeritus. She retired from the HSU administrative staff in 1992 after 16 years of service. As an executive secretary, she also worked for Jesse Fletcher, former president and chancellor and now president emeritus, and Bill Beazley, vice president emeritus. She was honored in 1980 with a dedication at the annual HSU intercollegiate rodeo. She is survived by her husband; son, William; daughter, Dianne Cruse; brothers, Richard and Clarence Bell; sisters, Jimmie Dewlen, Aldine Pattus, Anna Everett and Dorothy Klostermann; and five grandchildren.

Ordained

Wayne Kirk to the ministry at Marlow Church in Cameron, Oct. 5.

Pete Gaza as a deacon at Marlow Church in Cameron, Oct. 5.

Charles Mobley, Rickie McGough and Wilford Nelson as deacons at Macedonia-Hix Church in Caldwell, Oct. 12.

Duane Galan, Stan Lewis and Rodney Oden as deacons at Baptist Temple Church in Uvalde, Oct. 26.

Tom Greene and Hugh Moore as deacons at First Church in Mineral Wells, Nov 2.