Landrum P. Leavell II, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, died Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was 81.
Leavell was elected the seminary’s president in January 1975, and helmed the institution through some of the most turbulent years in Southern Baptist life.
Although he retired from the post Dec. 31, 1994, Leavell remained on campus as interim president until Dec. 31, 1995, when Chuck Kelley, the current president, succeeded him.
“By any standard of measurement, Dr. Leavell is one of the greatest presidents that this seminary ever had,” Kelley said.
Born in Ripley, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1926, Leavell was raised in Newnan, Ga., where his father, Leonard O. Leavell, was pastor of First Baptist Church, Newnan.
Leavell was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1948 and began serving as pastor of a church in Mississippi during his time as a student at New Orleans Seminary.
Leavell earned a B.A. in English from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and a B.D. degree and a Th.D. in New Testament and Greek from New Orleans Seminary.
He met his wife, JoAnn, in New Orleans. They married in 1953.
Leavell served as a pastor for 27 years and served in many capacities in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) and the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
He was first vice president of the SBC in 1968 and president of the SBC Pastors Conference in 1971. Leavell served as president of the BGCT from 1971–73.
Since his retirement Leavell served on the board of trustees at Mississippi College.
Upon his retirement from New Orleans Seminary, the city of New Orleans designated a portion of the campus as Leavell Lane in honor of the many contributions made by him and his uncle, Roland Q. Leavell, who served as New Orleans Seminary president 1946–58.
Seminary trustees named the Center for Evangelism and Church Growth in Landrum Leavell’s honor as well.
During Leavell’s NOBTS presidency, the seminary experienced record growth, outstanding success in fundraising and a significant expansion of its campus. The campus became known by all who visited as one of the most beautiful spots in New Orleans.
Leavell believed the care and preparation of a minister’s family was as important as the preparation of the minister.
He enhanced the campus recreation facilities and, with his wife, gave great attention to the needs of student wives.
During his 20-year tenure, the seminary also established a network of extension centers throughout the Southeast and invested in educational technology. He was also the driving force behind the reestablishment of the seminary’s undergraduate program.
Leavell authored or contributed to 14 books, including “Angels, Angels, Angels” and “Twelve Who Followed Jesus.”
In addition to his wife of 55 years, Leavell is survived by one sister, four children and 10 grandchildren. (BP, ABP)
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