Milner pastor Ken Ross at home in heaven

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MILNER – Ken Ross 72, who died from complications of heart disease on Oct. 19, was a winsome Christian gentleman and a faithful Georgia Baptist pastor for many years. A native of Seminole County, he was born July 15, 1946, a son of the late Albert and Dorothy Ross.

Ross was featured in an article in The Christian Index on Aug. 11, 2016. The article specified that “you can go home again.” The affable pastor had served the First Baptist Church of Milner from 1975 to 1979.

Ken Ross was a faithful pastor and preacher in Georgia Baptist Churches for almost five decades. MILNER BC/Special

Following his retirement Ross returned to Milner in April 2014 to become the interim pastor following the death of Ben Taylor, who was serving the Milner church at the time of his death. Six months after becoming the interim pastor the church asked Ross to become the pastor for the second time. He started his service as the pastor on the first Sunday in October 2014.

In the last four years Ross proved that you can go home again. His love for people, his lifelong passion for evangelism and missions, and his willingness to continue to serve the Lord contributed to his success.

He explained that he never tried to meddle in the pastorates of those who succeeded him in the churches he served, but he admitted that he always left a part of his heart in the churches he served; and that was certainly true of Milner. He explicitly stated, “I suppose you could say we had a long-term love affair.”

Across the years he served as pastor of First Baptist Blackshear, First Baptist Fitzgerald, First Baptist Cleveland, Second Avenue in Rome, and First Baptist Homerville, the church from which he retired.

The obituary for Dr. G Kenneth “Ken” Ross stated, “Of all the churches he served over 47 years of ministry, Milner was his most cherished. During his time of ministry, he served as president of the Georgia Baptist Pastors Conference, chairman of the Board of Directors for The Christian Index, trustee of two Georgia colleges, as well a member of various Georgia Baptist Convention committees. He spread the gospel and showed God’s love for nearly five decades.

Bill Weaver, USAF Colonel (retired), knew Ross from the time he was called to preach and kept up with his ministry through the years even though his military service kept him many miles away at times. But Weaver summarized Ken Ross’ life with these words, “What a tremendous example of total dedication he and Donna have been to us, members of the family, and countless people through 47 years of ministry.”

Another couple impacted by the life of Ken Ross said, “He gave us a lifetime of treasures.”

Dr. Ross enjoyed spending time with his family and closest friends. He loved the game of golf and preaching the gospel of Christ. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend to so many, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Peavy Ross; two daughters, Tina Ross Mann and husband Zack Holt of Newnan, Georgia, and Kelley Ross Jenkins and husband Rich Jenkins of Sharpsburg, Georgia; brother, Jerome Dennis Ross of Donalsonville, Georgia; grandchildren, Megan Ann Mann and husband Jeff McFarland of Jacksonville, Florida, Hannah Madysen Van Dora and husband Tash Van Dora of Atlanta, Georgia, and Nichalas Ross Jenkins of Macon, Georgia; nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

The funeral service for Kenneth Ross was conducted on Monday, October 29 at 12:00 noon at Milner Baptist Church with Georgia Baptist Mission Board Associate Executive Director Bobby Boswell officiating.