Emmett Roper, a longtime Alabama Baptist evangelist, died Jan. 11. He was 88. Roper, who called himself “a country preacher,” served in ministry for more than 60 years as a pastor, bivocational pastor, evangelist and author.
Debra Abston and Kimberly Posey of Pickens County attribute their missions training as children as well as Sunday School teachers through the years for instilling in them a heart for sharing the gospel and focusing on the Great Commission.
President Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer turned politician who taught Sunday School for decades, died today (Dec. 29). At age 100, he was the country’s oldest living president.
Tucker Briley, 45, of Elberta did not imagine that her Christian life journey would include being an interim children’s minister, yet that is what happened after she had served for a time as the preschool assistant …
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.
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