Mount Harmony, Mableton honors pianist's 25 years, more in People and Places

Deaths

Harold Fletcher

Harold Fletcher, pastor and founder of Pittsburg Kingdom Doors Baptist Church and Pittsburg Kingdom Outreach Ministry in Atlanta, died May 1. 

He is survived by his wife, Janice; daughter, Isis Fletcher Hayes; sons, Marquis Fletcher and Suantava Fulton; father, Johnnie Fletcher; brothers Marques, Stanley, and William; sisters, Bertha Webb and Lillie Miller; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Milton Parker, formed director of missions for Hebron Baptist Association, died at his home on April 30. He was 83. 

Milton Parker

Parker served as a pastor for most of his 50-plus years in ministry in his native South Carolina. In 1989, however, he moved to Elberton to lead Hebron Association. Upon arrival, he oversaw completion of the existing office building in Bowman on his way to 15 years working with local pastors. Upon his retirement in 2003, he continued to serve as an interim pastor for several area churches, including Falling Creek Baptist as well as Fortsonia and Faith Baptist churches. 

Two days after Parker's death, his wife of 63 1/2 years, Lena Hill Parker, joined him. They are survived by daughters Betty Lenora Parker Ellis, of Greenville, SC, Becky Sue Parker Westmoreland, of Elberton, and Beverly Ann Parker Smith, of Chesnee, SC; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Milton Parker is also survived by a sister, Eva Elizabeth Parker Decker. 

James Glenn Spivey

James Glenn Spivey died May 6. He was 82. 

A native of Alabama, Spivey was a USDA inspector and graduate of both Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He initiated the first Ambulance and Civil Defense service in Webster County. Spivey was a member of Beallwood Baptist Church in Columbus who served multiple churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi as pastor. 

Preceded in death by his wife, Norene, and sister, Sara, he is survived by daughters Susan Johnson, Debrah Ridgley, and Karan Spivey; sisters, Benda Hall and Minnie Merle Callicutt; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Georgia Baptist pastor Talmadge Wilcox died May 9 in the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville. He was 83. 

Talmadge Wilcox

An Abbeville native, Wilcox served as a pastor over a 62-year period, beginning in 1953. Among his churches were Antioch Baptist in Abbeville, Lebanon Baptist in Abbeville, Ruth Baptist in Cochran, Callie Garbutt Baptist in Fitzgerald, Zion Hope Baptist in Tifton, Enigma Baptist, Irwinville Baptist, Pleasant Hill Baptist in Rebecca, First Baptist Rochelle, Kramer Baptist in Abbeville, and Seville Baptist churches as well as Thompsonville Baptist in Reidsville, NC, Calvary Baptist Church in Danville, VA, and Providence Baptist Church in Providence NC. 

Survivors include a son, Eddie Wilcox, Jr., of Pitts, and daughter, Deborah Tool, of Smyrna, in addition to sisters Oppie Lee Roxy, of Atlanta, and Shirley Williams of Warner Robins as well as three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

Nelson Fleming celebrated 25 years on the music ministry staff at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Mableton on May 7. He currently serves as music associate/pianist and is also an accompanist for many events with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, including the Sons of Jubal. He started piano lessons at the age of four and began playing at church when he was 12.EDDY OLIVER/Special

Todd Ware

Ministerial Moves

On April 23 First Baptist Church in Monroe called Todd Ware as senior pastor and Greg DeLoach as teaching pastor. 

A native of Washington in Wilkes County, Ware has served on First Baptist's staff for the last 19 years, most recently as associate pastor. He is a graduate of Truett-McConnell College (now University), Mercer University, Southern Seminary, and Erskine Theological Seminary. 

Greg DeLoach

DeLoach, a native of Eatonton, previously served as president/CEO of Developmental Disabilities Ministries of Georgia and as pastor of First Baptist Augusta, First Baptist Marietta, First Baptist Chickamauga, and Mansfield Baptist churches.

A graduate of Shorter College (now University), Southern Seminary, and Columbia Theological Seminary, he is also director of Development for the McAfee School of Theology and Penfield College of Mercer University.