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.
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.
Chette Williams, a longtime Auburn University football chaplain, died Dec. 15 after falling into the water at Lake Martin while getting off his pontoon boat.
Jack Kinley, who served more than 64 years as a pastor, died Nov. 24. Later in life after losing most of his sight, Kinley started Vision Tape Ministry, which distributed Christian materials to visually impaired people around the world.
Elwood Sims — who served in pastoral ministry for 70 years, including 40 years at New Bethel Baptist Church in Braggs — died Oct. 15. He was 92.
