Cook, Raymond

The Alabama Baptist pastor with the longest pastorate on record has died.

Raymond Cook died Oct. 15 at age 94. Cook was currently serving as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Albertville, in Marshall Baptist Association — a role he had for 52 years.

A native of Georgia, Cook was ordained in 1947, three years after he became a Christian. Shortly after his ordination, he became pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church, Cedartown, Ga., and served several other churches in Georgia and Alabama for a few years before being called to Antioch Baptist in 1955.

He was the oldest active pastor in Marshall Association, said Randall Stoner, director of missions for Marshall Association.

"He was pastor until the day he died," Stoner said. "And he was always firm on his stance for Jesus Christ."

Cook was preceded in death by his wife, Polly, and son Bobby.

He is survived by son Raymond Jr., five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. (TAB)