Longtime educator, pastor’s wife, Johnnie G. Golden, dies at 99

October 6, 2026

Johnnie G. Golden, longtime educator and wife to a central Alabama pastor, died Sept. 17. She was 99. She met her husband, Howard, while studying

Latest news: Jim Bakker dies at 86; paradigm for successful parenting; more reflections from 9/11

October 6, 2026

Check out these recent headlines reported by The Baptist Paper.

Longtime Hughes Memorial music leader dies at 78

September 30, 2026

Darrell Thomas Higginbotham, longtime music leader for Hughes Memorial Baptist Church, died Aug. 30. He was 78. A graduate of Samford University, Higginbotham studied piano

Pastor Franklin Kirksey, known for his writing and 47 years of ministry, dies

September 15, 2026

Franklin Lee Kirksey, former pastor of churches in Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina, died Sept. 11. He was 64.

Reflections on Dolly Parton, faith and kindness

August 26, 2026

From the church pews of her childhood in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, to gospel recordings and a lifelong commitment to serving others, Dolly Parton frequently spoke about her faith.

Longtime music leader, Ann Ray, dies at 90

August 13, 2026

Music minister Margaret Annette “Ann” Tomberlin Ray of Decatur died July 11. She was 90. Her late husband, Joe Douglas Ray, led Southside Baptist Church