Around the State

• Texas Baptist Children’s Home will hold a reunion July 31. The celebration also will include the marking of TBCH’s 60th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of John and Brenda Toner as houseparents. Activities will begin with cottage tours at 9 a.m. A group photo is scheduled for 11 a.m. A barbecue lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The reunion is free for all alumni and family members, but notification of attendance is required. Call (512) 246-4248 to make reservations or for more information.

• Two longtime educators at East Texas Baptist University have retired. Brenda Dearman, professor of music, taught in the School of Fine Arts 30 years. Charles Sutton, professor of education, came to ETBU in 2002 and is retiring after 48 years as an educator.

• Hardin-Simmons University honored retiring professor of mathematics Ed Hewett not only by naming him faculty member of the year, but also tapping him as the inaugural recipient of the Stars of the Purple and Gold Award for perseverance and dedication. Anita Lyle, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, was named staff member of the year.

• Dallas Baptist University named Linda Smith its staff member of the year. She has worked at DBU 34 years, 33 of those in the school mailroom.

• Eric McQuiston has joined Baptist Child & Family Services as a regional emergency preparedness coordinator. He served 20 years as a medic in the U.S. Air Force, managing and training rapid response teams.

• Howard Payne University recognized 121 student-athletes for their success in the classroom and their fields of athletic endeavor. To qualify, students had to achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 3.o or greater, make a significant contribution to his or her team, and maintain a high level of integrity.

Anniversaries

• Knobbs Springs Church in McDade, 155th, May 23. Mark McBride is pastor.

• Larry Davis, 20th, as pastor at South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, June 13.

• Terry Sinclair, fifth, as minister of music at First Church in Lakeside, June 27.

• Artis Edwards, fifth, as pastor of New Beginnings Church in Brenham.

Retiring

• Robert Davenport, as pastor of Mount Sylvan Church in Lindale, June 30. He has served there since 2000. He previously was associate pastor of North Klein Church in Klein and was minister of pastoral care and single adults at Metropolitan Church in Houston.

• E. L. “Skip” McNeal as pastor of First Church in Sanger, June 30, after 30 years involvement in the community, Denton Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The church will honor McNeal and his wife, Mary, June 27 at 6 p.m. with a celebratory program and reception. Former members and friends are invited to attend.

Events

• The Telestials will present a concert July 2 at First Church in Devers. An offering will be taken. For more information, call (936) 549-7653. Harry McDaniel is pastor.

• Pleasant View Church in Dallas will celebrate 163 years of service to the community July 11 with homecoming services. Former pastor Joe Price will preach in the morning service. Joel Swofford and the Gloryland Boys will sing in the service and present a concert in the afternoon. A meal will follow the service. Swofford will preach after the afternoon concert. For more information, call (214) 824-1161. Bob Hendley is pastor.

Licensed

• Michael Gleason, to the ministry at First Church in Pettus.

Ordained

• Ryan Chandler, to the ministry at First Church in Christine.

Revival

• Mount Pilgrim Church, Corpus Christi; June 23-25; evangelist, Jean Burch; pastor, Claude Axel.

Deaths

• R.B. Baker, 81, June 7 in Temple. He served 21 years as pastor of Memorial Church in Temple and was named pastor emeritus. His other pastorates included Marlow Church in Milam County, Calvary Church in May, First Church in Moody, First Church in Caldwell and Harris Avenue Church in San Angelo. He was born July 22, 1928, in Burkburnett to Robert B. and Altie Denton Baker. He married Bettye Griffith on May 3, 1948. He graduated from Olney High School, Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he received his doctorate from Howard Payne University, where he served on the board of trustees. He took many groups on tours to the Holy Land, and he was an interior designer. Survivors include his wife, Bettye Baker of Temple; a son, Mark Baker of Temple; a daughter, Belinda Clark of Austin; two sisters, Zola Owens and Ruth Young, both of Olney; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

• James A. Puckett, 76, June 12 in McKinney. He served nearly 20 years as pastor of First Church in McKinney. He served previously as pastor of Texas Baptist churches in Wortham, Big Spring and San Antonio, as well as churches in Kentucky and Michigan. Born in Quitman, he was baptized and ordained to the ministry at First Church in Quitman. He graduated from Tyler High School and attended East Texas Baptist University and Tyler Junior College before earning degrees from Baylor Univer-sity and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Puckett served as a trustee at Baptist Memorial Geriatric Center, Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary, Dallas Baptist Univer-sity and East Texas Baptist University, and he was a director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Era Shaw Puckett; sister, Newlyn Cain; and great-granddaughter, Lily-Maih Callaway. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edna; son, Jim Puckett, Jr. of Princeton; daughter, Carol Puckett Lockwood of San Antonio; and son, Timothy Puckett of Allen; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; sisters, Gwen Lipscomb of Garland, Patsy Gaston of Okmulgee, Okla.; brother, Joe Puckett of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews.