James W. Culp of Royse City, a pioneering leader of African-American work within the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died July 22. He was 86. Culp was born June 3, 1932, in Pineville, N.C., to Richard Sylvester Culp and Mary Edna Short Culp. Culp served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of technical sergeant and receiving the distinguished Bronze Star for his service during the Vietnam War. He was founding pastor of Second Chapel Baptist Church in Garland and the longtime coordinator of black church development for the BGCT. The African-American Fellowship of Texas named its annual banquet in his honor. Culp also was the first African-American to serve on the Garland City Council. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Culp in 2015, and by siblings Richard Culp, Emma Washington, David Culp, Carrie Broome, George Culp, Fred Culp, Israel Culp and Monroe Culp. He is survived by his children, Terryl Bratek, Rae Culp, Mariann Douglas, James W. Culp, Jr., Deidra Culp, Michelle Culp and John Culp; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, John J. Culp; and sister, Edna Culp Washington.

Michael Joseph Estep, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Marlin, died July 21 after a battle with cancer. He was 65. Estep was born July 4, 1953, in Wichita, Kan., to Phyllis Jean and Phillip Joseph Estep. He married Kathryn Louise Gassett in Honolulu, Hawaii, Sept. 21, 1974. She preceded him in death Sept. 28, 2016. He married Letitia Parrott in Athens Nov. 20, 2017. Estep joined the U.S. Navy in 1972. He was a Vietnam veteran and served on numerous ships in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea and South Pacific. He retired as a chief petty officer after more than 21 years, having earned numerous citations, ribbons, medals and badges. He was a teacher at the Juvenile Correctional Facility in Mart. He served as post commander for the American Legion Post 31 in Marlin and was chaplain of the American Legion Riders. He was an accomplished artist in oils, pencil and charcoal, and he was a motorcycle enthusiast. He is survived by his wife of eight months, Letitia, and her four daughters and three grandchildren; his children, Terri and Lee Michael Estep, Cora Day and Mario Padilla; four grandchildren; his mother, Phyllis Chapman; and three sisters, Linda Briscoe, Cindy Clinefelter and Cheryl Estep.

Robert Jack Beck, a Baptist minister for five decades, died July 14. He was 88. Beck was born Jan. 24, 1930, in Iowa Park to Charles and Alta Beck. He graduated from Iowa Park High School and the University of North Texas, and he completed a master’s degree and a doctorate at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. During his years in ministry, he served three Baptist churches in Fort Worth—College Avenue, Gambrell Street and Southwayside. He also was pastor of churches in Jolly, Quitaque, Paducah and Plainview. He participated in short-term preaching and missions projects in Italy, Portugal and Spain early in his career. Later trips to Brazil and Australia through the Baptist General Convention of Texas Partnership Missions program provided revival preaching opportunities. While pastor at Southwayside Baptist, he took a sabbatical that allowed him to return to Rome and participate in a lecture series at the Waldensian Seminary. In retirement, he traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to assist missionaries as they worked with orphaned children. As part of the BGCT intentional interim ministry, he served congregations in Mansfield, Bedford, Pilot Point and Brownwood. One of his greatest joys was mentoring a new generation of ministers, teaching field education at Southwestern Seminary and supervising pastoral interns. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Reva Jean; son David and wife Shelly; son Charles and wife Debbie; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister, Nell; and two brothers, Don and Max.

Fain Eugene “Gene” Horton, longtime Baptist pastor in South Texas, died June 22 in Harlingen, five days after preaching his last sermon. He was 83. Horton was born was born March 29, 1934, in La Junta, Colo., to Fain and Lillian Horton. He graduated in 1952 from Killeen High School, where he played football and was a Golden Gloves boxer. He attended Baylor University and graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, formerly the University of Corpus Christi, and Trinity Theological Seminary in Indiana. He married Phynetta Ann Gautier on Aug. 7, 1953 in Killeen. Horton was a first responder for a tornado in Waco in 1953 that killed 114 people. He started the mission church now known as Skyline Baptist Church in Killeen. He was pastor of First Baptist Church in Mineral while also working as schoolteacher, bus driver and a radio disk jockey. He went on to become pastor at First Baptist Church in Lyford and then Crestwood Baptist Church in Kountze. He was pastor First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo from 1968 to 2016. Most recently, he was pastor at Lighthouse Fellowship in Harlingen.

He was on local television 50 years, wrote the book Revival and recorded a gospel album, He Touched Me. He was a pilot more than 50 years and loved flying, earning “flight instructor” rating and teaching hundreds of student pilots. In recent years, he flew his private plane from Harlingen to San Benito to Rio Hondo as he prayed for the people he loved. Horn preached his last sermon on Father’s Day. He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Phynetta Ann Gautier Horton; children David Horton of Plano and his wife, Stephanie; daughter Donna Greek of Rio Hondo and her husband, Vance; daughter Debbie Damron of Dripping Springs and her husband, Jack; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sister Barbara Ann Bacon of Killeen.

Bruce W. Bowles, who led the Baptist Church Loan Corporation more than a quarter of a century, died June 24 in Dallas. He was 87. Bowles was born Oct. 24, 1930, in North Kansas City, Mo., and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 7. Following high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and was assigned as a C-119 radio operator at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill. While stationed there, he met Phyllis Uhles. They married Nov. 14, 1952. After military assignments in Arizona and Illinois, Bowles and his family moved to Waco so he could study finance at Baylor University. After graduation and a brief stint with the Buccaneer Stamp Company, the family moved to Dallas where he became an officer with Lakewood Bank & Trust. In 1969, Bowles joined the administration at Mary Hardin-Baylor College, where he led fund-raising efforts and was vice president for college affairs. Four years later, he became president and chief executive officer of the Baptist Church Loan Corporation. He also was founding president of the Texas Baptist Financial Services. Serving on the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff with Bowles, who “carried out a multi-faceted ministry as a Baptist layman … was truly a blessing,” said Bill Pinson, BGCT executive director emeritus. “His sense of humor combined with a strong work ethic and commitment to being part of a team made him highly effective,” Pinson said. “He led the Baptist Church Loan Corporation to a huge increase in assets, more than quadrupling its worth, thus making additional finances available to assist churches. Unselfish in his servant leadership of the BCLC, he worked closely with the State Missions Commission in the funding of new churches as well as assisting existing churches. This spirit of cooperation enabled a growing number of churches to minister in the Texas mission field.” Bowles retired in 1999 to spend more time with family and his volunteer interests as a Bible study teacher, deacon, church mission trip volunteer and choir member. “A multitude of persons found abundant life in Christ through the ministry of Bruce Bowles,” Pinson said. Bowles is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Phyllis; daughter, Cindy Emory; son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Dawn Bowles; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Mildred Beatrice McWhorter, former home missionary who directed the Mission Centers of Houston from 1963 to 1992, died June 17 in Franklin, Ga. She was 87. She was born June 26, 1930, near Centralhatchee, Ga., and grew up attending Centralhatchee Baptist Church, where she learned John 3:16. At the age 13, she became aware the “whosoever” mentioned in that verse referred to her, and she committed her life to following Jesus Christ. She attended Berry College in Rome, Ga., where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and then went on to study at the Carver School of Missions and Social Work in Louisville, Ky. After applying for foreign missions service and being rejected, she taught school in Gwinnett County, Ga., until a contact at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Home Mission Board encouraged her to consider missions in the United States. She accepted a missions director position in Port Arthur, where she served five years before she was invited to work in inner-city Houston. She built what became the Mission Centers of Houston in multiple locations and coordinated the work of hundreds of volunteers—particularly college and seminary students she affectionately referred to as her “critters.” Through the years, “Miss Mac,” as she was known, encountered many families who needed her love, but one particular family became her own. Three boys—Carl Guevara, Lloyd Lane and Terry Lane—arrived at the center when they were young. After their mother died, McWhorter accepted them as her sons. After McWhorter retired from the mission centers in 1992, she returned to Centralhatchee. She was preceded in death by Lloyd Lane and her brother, Bryant McWhorter. She is survived by Carl Lee Guevara of Houston and Terry Lane of Franklin, Ga.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mission Centers of Houston at P.O. Box 30417, Houston, TX 77249.

J. Kenneth Robinson of Canton, a veteran music minister who served churches throughout Texas and New Mexico, died June 12. He was 85. Robinson was born Sept. 27, 1932 in Fort Smith, Ark. After he graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School, he earned his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1954 and his master’s degree in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1956. As a seminary student, she served several churches in the Fort Worth area before becoming minister of music at First Baptist Church in Princeton. While serving in Princeton, he met Addie Thompson, an elementary school teacher, and they married Nov. 22, 1956. Other churches he served included First Baptist Church in Farmersville, First Baptist Church in Greenville, San Jacinto Baptist Church in Amarillo and Meadows Baptist Church in Plano, along with congregations in Clovis and Carlsbad, N.M. In 1987, he became director of missions for Pecos Valley Baptist Association in Artesia, N.M., serving there until he retired in 1998. In retirement, he was an intentional interim minister in New Mexico. Robinson wrote children’s music curriculum, articles for church training magazines and other material for LifeWay Christian Resources. He led revivals and conferences in 17 states, as well as music conferences at Glorieta and Ridgecrest Baptist Assemblies. He also taught as an adjunct instructor in children’s music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Robinson was elected president of the Sunday School Convention and church training union of New Mexico and also was a vice president of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. He led youth choir mission trips and Vacation Bible Schools, as well as evangelistic mission trips to Mexico and South Korea. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Addie Robinson of Canton; daughter Libby Clifton of Amarillo; son J. Mark Robinson of Canton; daughter Robin Newman of McKinney; son David Robinson of Amarillo; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Katherine Sherwood of Southern California.

Frank Roberson of Boswell, a Baptist pastor more than five decades, died June 6. He was 88. Roberson was born Feb. 6, 1930, in Clay County, Ala., to James Henry Sam and Audra Ethel Scarborough Roberson. He was the youngest son in a family of nine children. He graduated from Galena Park High School and Lee College in Baytown. He also attended Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville and the Houston extension of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in the U.S. Army following World War II. During his 54 years in ministry, he was pastor of Pin Oak Baptist Church in Cleveland, Calvary Baptist Church in Huntsville, First Baptist Church in Quitaque, Texas Avenue Baptist Church in League City, Bullard Southern Baptist Church in Bullard, Trinity Baptist Church in Willis and Center Hill Baptist Church in Oakhurst. Early in his ministry, he was associate pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Baytown. He also worked for oil companies in Baytown and Conroe, as well as the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District in Baytown. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack, James and Gerald; his sisters Louise, Ruby, Barbara, Doris and Mary Ann; and an infant son, Kirby. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Maxine Colburn Roberson of Boswell; daughter Vanna Kay Walker and husband Jimmy of McQueeney; son C.N. Kooter Roberson and wife Rebecca of Huntsville; and son Jack Frank Roberson & wife Amy of Dallas; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Jerold R. McBride, former president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died May 11 in Winnfield, La. He was 85. McBride was born Sept. 20, 1932, in Rocky Ford, Colo. He attended public schools in Winnfield, La., where his father was pastor of the First Baptist Church. He accepted the call to ministry at age 15. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University and received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in Oklahoma and Texas, including 31 years as pastor of First Baptist Church in San Angelo. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Hardin-Simmons University and the George W. Truett Distinguished Church Service Award from Baylor University. McBride taught preaching in Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Peru and Mexico, as well as at Howard-Payne University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Elizabeth Jane Basore, who was a partner with him in ministry 47 years, on June 25, 1954. She preceded him in death Dec. 1, 2003. They had three children—Renee’ McBride, Charlotte Young and Todd McBride, as well as two grandchildren. McBride married Claudia Machen on Jan. 1, 2005, in Winnfield, La., where they both grew up. He also survived by her children Mike, Mark and Matt Machen, along with five grandchildren.

David Arlen Blanton, longtime minister of music, died March 21. He was 83. Blanton was born Nov. 4, 1934, to J.C. and Nora Blanton in Victoria. After he graduated from Patti Welder High School, he completed a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Texas. During his college years, he met and married Juanita Rayburn in 1956. After a few years working in the oil fields, he felt called to ministry. He earned a master’s degree in church music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served 33 years as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Beeville. He loved hunting, fishing, working on cars, golfing and telling stories. He tuned pianos, enjoyed close friends, ministered to people, influenced a generation of musicians, shared in mission work around the world and loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita Blanton; a son, Kent, and his wife, Elaine; a daughter, Rhonda Selph, and husband, Chad; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kay Law; and brother, James Blanton.

Mark Rogers Chew, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Denton five decades, died April 6. He was 76. He was born in Boyle, Miss., Feb. 26, 1942. He attended Fred Moore High School in Denton and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. He earned his associate degree from North Central Texas College and his bachelor’s degree from Southern Bible Institute. Later, he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from the International Bible School in Houston. In 1967, Chew was called as pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, one of the oldest historically black churches in Denton. Under his leadership, the church developed its outreach ministry and Rays of Hope, a program that enables people with personal hardships to work through life challenges as a family instead of on their own. He marked his 50^th anniversary at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church last December. He was the first African-American elected to the Denton City Council, serving three full terms in the 1980s and two additional consecutive terms in the 1990s. He also was president of the Denton County NAACP eight years. He served on the Camp Copass board of directors and was a member of the Denton Ministerial Alliance. In addition to his service as pastor, he also worked as an insurance and real estate agent and broker. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Jerome Chew; two daughters, Sheila Ann Chew and Phillis Renea Chew Murrell; a sister, Jean McCrary; and two brothers, Earl Chew and Bill Chew. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy M. Chew; his wife of 38 years, Rose Marie Chew; five children, Barry Jones, Rosalyn Chew, Lura Chew McClendon (MJ), Shelly Bayless Butler and Marcus Chew; adopted daughter, Jackie Webb; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Ann Chew, Shirley Chew, Jackie Whitlock and Jasmine Chew; and brothers Fredrick Chew, Merlin Chew and Artis Chew.

Charles Edwin “Charlie” Elliott of Brady, former youth minister at First Baptist Church in Midland, died Jan. 19. He was 77. Elliott was born April 8, 1940 in Knox County. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University and his Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served 38 years as minister of youth and activities at First Baptist Church in Midland. Hardin-Simmons University recognized him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000. For 30 years, he took youth from First Baptist in Midland and their adult sponsors on an annual spring mission trip to Coahuila, Mexico, to conduct Bible schools for children and help start churches. For many years, he also trained college students to lead Christian day camps in small towns across Texas. This summer would have marked his 50th year to provide children’s activities at an annual camp in Paisano Baptist Encampment near Alpine. For 13 years, he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and leader of missions education for boys at First Baptist Church in Brady. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Jane Cope Elliott; sons Michael Elliott and John Elliott of Midland and Danny Elliott of Fredericksburg; and 10 grandchildren.