James Sampley served as pastor of FBC Ashville from 1996 to 2013 and of James Memorial Baptist Church in Gadsden from 1981 to 1987. He also served as pastor of Faith Baptist Church in West Blocton while he was a student at Samford.
Sid Nichols, retired Alabama Baptist pastor and director of missions, died today (Dec. 28). He served 30 years as a pastor then 15 as director of missions for Calhoun Baptist Association before retiring from full-time ministry in 2016.
Exempting hourly workers’ overtime pay from state income tax this year will cost significantly more than early estimates predicted, but lawmakers say they knew those rough calculations in 2023 came with a big asterisk.
Don Johnson’s 71 years of ministry included 27 years at Tuskegee Lee Association — he retired as director of missions in 2006. He died Dec. 17.
Brenda Lovelady Spahn, who founded The Lovelady Center in Birmingham 20 years ago, died Dec. 18. She was 75. More than 19,600 women have come through the program she started in 2004.
Lee Allen, who served as a history professor at Samford University for 40 years, died Dec. 16. During his time at Samford, he was a prolific writer, particularly of Baptist history. He was also named Life Deacon at Mountain Brook Baptist.
The Alabama Commission on Higher Education voted Friday in favor of a $2.6 billion budget request for all two- and four-year colleges and universities along with other higher education-related programs in fiscal 2026.
The Alabama Association of School Boards is raising concerns on a proposal lawmakers are considering to change the state’s K–12 school funding formula from one based on head count to one based on student needs.
