IMB missionary emeritus William Thomas Espy dies at 87
William Thomas “Tom” Espy, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in the United Kingdom, died Dec. 13, 2024, in Canton, Georgia.
SEBTS professor, former Brook Hills teaching pastor Shaddix dies
Jim Shaddix was a senior professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and served as pastor of teaching/training at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham from 2012 to 2015.
Tinsley — longtime minister of music, youth, senior adults — dies at 75
David Earl Tinsley Sr., who served at First Baptist Church Headland, First Baptist Church Slocomb and Bellwood Baptist Church, died Jan. 12.
Longtime ‘country preacher,’ evangelist Roper dies at 88
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.
Longtime FBC Ashville pastor Sampley dies at 77
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, longtime pastor and DOM, dies at 72
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, longtime Tuskegee Lee DOM, dies at 89
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.
Lovelady Center founder ‘Miss Brenda’ dies
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.