April 26, 2024
Longtime Georgia Baptist state missionary Myrtle Lee Brindle Apple, 83, died July 24.
Myrtle AppleApple joined the state convention in 1984 working under the direction of the assistant executive director. She stayed in that role full-time until 1997, at which point she continued until 2010 assisting any department as needed on a part-time basis.
Preceded in death by a husband, Ivie Gerald Apple, and a son, Mark Lewis Apple, she is survived by a daughter, Susan Sokolowsky, of Cumming; sisters Nettie Coe, of Winston-Salem, NC, Edna Wall, of Rural Hall, NC, and Carolyn White, of Dobson, NC; and two granddaughters.
Pastor Samuel Benton, of Moultrie, died Sept. 11 at his home. He was 88.
Samuel BentonA native of Commerce, Benton served in the Army and retired as a minister after 50 years. He earned degrees from Mercer University and Southern Seminary before doing post-graduate work at Southeastern Seminary. He served the North Carolina congregations of Hull Baptist Church and Garden City Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC in addition to First Baptist Church in Moultrie, where he served for 34 years as minister.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Faye, children Valerie Benton Moore, of Moultrie, and Daniel Benton, of Brunswick, and six grandchildren.
Charles Ivey, who served in the ministry for over 60 years, died Sept. 12. He was 84.
The Linconton native attended Truett-McConnell College and Piedmont College before earning a double Master's degree from the University of Georgia in Adult Education and Counseling. Over the years he was primarily a bivocational minister for the Georgia churches of Gordon Baptist and New Bethel Baptist in Franklin County, Mount Salem Baptist in Flowery Branch, Turner's Chapel Baptist in Rome, Stonepile Baptist in Clarkesville, Vineyard Baptist in Griffin, Oakman Baptist in Oakman, and Pleasant Hill Baptist in Kingston. For the last 13 years he had served at Atco Baptist Church in Cartersville as associate pastor to seniors.
Charles IveyIvey taught in the Georgia State Prison at Alto and Buford before moving to Cartersville in 1973. Upon his arrival in Bartow County, he began as director of Hickory Log, a residential program for developmentally challenged men. He was also director of Bartow Work Activities Center and Georgia Diversified Industries, which employed developmentally handicapped adults. Because of his experience he was instrumental in creating a Developmental Disability Ministry through the Georgia Baptist Convention.
Survivors include his wife, Ann, and children Ben Ivey, of Seneca, SC, Becky Dickerson, of Cartersville, Charlene Stouffer, of Tampa, FL, and Chris Smith, of Cartersville as well as 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Longtime Georgia Baptist pastor Deryl Odom died Sept. 8. He was 70.
Deryl OdomOdom served churches for 30 years in addition to being a farmer. The Warwick native earned a Bachelor's degree from Baptist Bible Institute before graduating with a Master's degree from Southwestern Seminary. He served as pastor of Double Branches Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church in Lincolnton, Martin Baptist Church, and Warwick First Baptist Church. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Evans.
He is survived by his wife Motha, son Brent, and daughter Paige Lozanoa as well as three grandchildren, sisters Sylvia Cobb and June Murray, and brother Jerry. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark.
Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough had Celebration Sunday Aug. 21 in honor of Pastor Stan Berrong's 30th anniversary on staff.
On July 10 Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough recognized Mike Creasman for 10 years of service as executive pastor. Creasman recently resigned to serve as a football coach and Bible teacher at nearby Strong Rock Christian School. He continues to lead in men's ministry and teach an adult Sunday School class at Glen Haven.
Island Creek Baptist Church in Washington Baptist Association celebrated its 22nd anniversary of ministry at its homecoming Aug. 14. Revival services began the next night at 7 p.m. and continued through Aug. 17 with Larry Glover as guest minister.
Wilbert Michel recently marked 12 years as pastor of First Baptist Church Jonesboro's Haitian church.
North Henry Church in Stockbridge had its 30th anniversary on Aug. 14. Stan Jordan is pastor.
Sardis Baptist Church in McDonough had homecoming services Aug. 7. Former pastor Preston Bridges preached, followed by the Saving Grace Trio. Tommy Kennedy is pastor.
First Baptist Sunny Side in Southside Baptist Network recently honored Pastor Joel Stewart for 20 years of service.
Clayton Turner Jr. celebrated his 50th anniversary in ministry on Aug. 7. Currently, he serves as minister of administration and education at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville.
Bellview Baptist Church in Rockmart recently welcomed Kenny Camp as family pastor. His wife, Kelly, and daughter, Kinleigh, join him.
Glenn Baptist Church in Troup Baptist Association will have homecoming Oct. 2 in its newly-painted sanctuary, celebrating 121 years of ministry. Revival services will start that night going through Oct. 12, beginning 7 p.m. nightly. The church is located at 5228 Glenn Road in Franklin. James Kelley is pastor.
