April 20, 2024
Edwin Rivera, pastor of Primera Iglesia Hispana, Lawrenceville, passed away, after suffering a stroke, on March 31. He was 62.
In addition to pastoring Primera Iglesia Hispana for the last seven years, he served as an associate pastor for two years before that.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nelida, three children, nine grandchildren, one sister, and one brother. A memorial service honoring the life of Rivera was held on April 4 at First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville.
April Dean Phillips, wife of Stanley Phillips, pastor of Southwest Baptist Church in Bainbridge, passed away on March 26. She was 51.
She was a graduate of Darton College with her RN and Albany State University with her BSN. She worked as a school nurse for Decatur County Schools and later as a quality manager for Memorial Hospital. She married Stanley H. Phillips in 1987 and served as a pastor’s wife for 26 years.
She is survived by her husband, daughter, parents, and two brothers. The funeral service was on March 28 at Southwest Baptist Church
