• An information meeting for families interested in participating in the Angels from Abroad program will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 in the second floor training room of the Buckner Child and Family Services office in Dallas. The program provides older Russian orphans a chance to learn about American culture, share their Russian culture and experience living with a family. It also raises awareness of the need for adopting older children. The children, ages 6 through 12, will stay with American host families next summer. For more information, call (214) 906-4547.
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Randy O’Rear, president of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, presents a plaque to Wendell Williams (left) and Mr. And Mrs. Bill Garner, commemorating the dedication of Garner Hall, the new student residence on campus. The 65,000-square-foot complex includes 72 apartments, providing beds for 141 students.
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• Jimmie Keeling has retired as head football coach at Hardin-Simmons University after 21 seasons. Posting a career record of 172-53 at HSU, he led the Cowboys to 19 consecutive winning seasons and advanced to playoffs 11 times. Jesse Burleson has been named interim coach while a national search for Keeling’s successor is conducted.
• East Texas Baptist University presented alumni awards to several people during homecoming festivities. Leon Carter received the J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award; Lee and Susan Bush, the W.T. Tardy Development Award; Billy Hoffman, Alumni Acheivement Award; Brent Shook and Janae Shirley, Young Alumnus awards; Pete Ramsey; Unsung Hero Award. The College of Marshall/Golden Lightkeepers Award recipients were Francis Henderson, Margaret Unkel, Gene and Lois Grammer, and Lois Newman. The Golden Lightkeepers include graduates who have been alumni 50 years or longer.
• Joel Allison, president and CEO of Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, has been named the recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award, presented by Bank of Texas and Texas Woman’s University. The award is given annually to Dallas leaders with a longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and to furthering the importance of education.
• Howard Payne University’s speech and debate forensics team won third place overall in individual events at the Forum in the Forest competition held at Lonestar College in Kingwood, Oct. 1-2. HPU competed against 17 universities from Texas and New Mexico.
Anniversaries
• Marc Wilson, 30th, as minister of music at First Church in Mexia, Nov. 25.
Deaths
• Lloyd Conner, 79, Nov. 13 in Marfa. A graduate of Howard Payne College and Southwestern Theological Seminary, he became pastor of First Church in Clint at the completion of his education. In 1963, he became pastor of First Church in Marfa and was one of the first pastors involved in the Texas Baptist River Ministry. He was pastor of Lindell Avenue Church in San Angelo and First Church in Albany before returning to the Marfa area in 1993 to be manager of Paisano Baptist Encampment and to lead the Marfa church. Last August, he completed 50 years of service as a pastor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cathy; brothers, O.D. and Sherman; and sisters, Odessa and Weeda. He is survived by his daughters, Eileen Conner and Karen Mills; twin brother, Floyd; sister, Wenona; and two grandchildren.
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• Debbie Puett, 56, Nov. 21 in Dallas. She was a Baptist General Convention of Texas employee five years. She began as a ministry assistant in the Bible study discipleship center, but the last four years, she had been the donor relations coordinator for the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. She was a member of Shiloh Terrace Church in Mesquite. She is survived by her husband, June, and daughter, Amanda Puett.
• Roberto Arrubla Sr., 86, Nov. 21 in Fort Worth. He was a longtime Baptist pastor. He is survived by his wife, Blanca; son, Robert; daughter, Gloria Lopez; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Events
• Woosley Church in Point honored Pastor Chris Thompson with a pounding in recognition of his first anniversary, Nov. 7. Also honored for his 32 years of service to the church was Deacon Chairman Bobby Hartley, who has served as church treasurer more than 20 years.
• Columbus Avenue Church in Waco will present four music programs as part of its “Christmas at Columbus” emphasis. An 80-person choir, ensembles, handbells and orchestra will present “Sing We Now of Christmas” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. “For Unto Y’all,” a youth dinner theater production will be performed at noon and 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Barbecue and peach cobbler will be served. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. The children’s choir will present “The Best Christmas Present Ever” Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. A night of carols and candles will be held Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (254) 752-1655, ext. 212.
Ordained
• Barry Dunham, to the ministry, at College Heights Church in Plainview.
• David Martin, to the ministry, at First Church in Denton.
• Andrew Hurt, to the ministry, at Travis Church in Corpus Christi.
• Jose Maldonado, to the ministry, at First Hispanic Church in Navasota.
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