James Michael “Mickey” Castleberry, pastor of Bradleyton Baptist Church, died Nov. 9. He was 68.
Castleberry graduated from Howard College in Birmingham in 1966, the year after it became Samford University, and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969. He received his doctor of ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in 1978.
Castleberry began preaching at 15 years old and served as pastor of Brewer Memorial Baptist Church, Cecil; Pike Road Baptist Church, Montgomery; First Baptist Church, Wetumpka; Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Trussville; and Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Montgomery, prior to his service at Bradleyton Baptist.
“He did the [church] service for five years, and we just loved him so much and he loved everybody here,” said Leo Pritchett, a deacon at Bradleyton Baptist. “He was just a godly person. God sent him to us.”
In 1972, Castleberry was elected vice president of the Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference. He also served as a member of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. In addition, Castleberry took on 11 interim pastorates and founded the nonprofit organization Mickey’s Ministries, where he served 10 years as president.
He was a member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery.
Castleberry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joette; two sons; and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by twin grandchildren. (TAB)
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