Paul L. Saylors, pastor, associational leader, and Texas Baptist ministry partner, died June 8. He was 72. Saylors was born to William M. Saylors Sr. and Melba Blankenship Saylors. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Educational Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He began his ministry career as director of activities at Central Baptist Church in Carthage. He later served as director of admissions and associate vice president for development at East Texas Baptist University. In 1989, he became pastor of Southern Oaks Baptist Church in Tyler, where he served more than seven years. Saylors subsequently served as executive director of Smith Baptist Association in Tyler and as East Texas regional associate executive director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. During his tenure with Texas Baptists, he completed his Doctor of Educational Ministry degree. He later served as pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Dallas, First Baptist Church in Troup, and Liberty Baptist Church in Hawkins. He also served as interim pastor of 16 Texas Baptist churches. Throughout his ministry, Saylors was known as a pastor, preacher, teacher, and mentor who invested in congregations and ministry leaders across Texas. In 1980, he married Danita Ann Cash Saylors. Together, they served in ministry for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, Danita; daughter Chelsea Ann Saylors; mother-in-law Peggy Ann Prater Cash; brothers-in-law Randall Cash and his wife Sue of Tyler, and Bryan Cash and his wife Carol of Cibolo; nephews Nathan Cash and his wife Molly of Tyler, Jordan Cash and his wife Corrie of New Braunfels, Jared Cash and his wife Jessica of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ryan Cash of Tyler; as well as several nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be made to the Paul Saylors Endowed Scholarship Fund at East Texas Baptist University, One Tiger Drive in Marshall.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.