James Richard Best, a longtime Alabama Baptist pastor and associational director of missions, died June 13. He was 90.
A native of Texas, Best was licensed to preach in 1950. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Texas Baptist College (now University) in Marshall, Texas; a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and a doctor of ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia.
During his years of ministry, Best served as pastor of several churches in Alabama — Parkview Baptist in Decatur; Vestavia Hills Baptist in Decatur; and Riverview Baptist in Miller’s Ferry. He served as interim pastor of several others.
He was named associate pastor emeritus at Thomasville Baptist Church after serving as the church’s associate pastor of ministry and missions from 2005-2010, just before his retirement.
In the 1990s, Best served as director of missions for Bethlehem and Pine Barren Baptist associations.
He also served as pastor of several churches in Texas and a church in Oregon.
Best was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Bobbie Benton. He is survived by his daughters, Teri and Daveta; son, Tim; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
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