75 years as pianist in People and Places

Deaths

Longtime Georgia Baptist music minister J. Loyd Landrum died Oct. 7. He was 85.

Landrum was a member of the Redcoat Marching Band as a student at the University of Georgia, where he met his wife Mary. Upon graduation in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, minor in piano, he was commissioned into the Army, serving as an Infantry Officer from 1953-54.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Landrum attended Southern Seminary, where he earned a Masters in Church Music in 1957 and served as Fellow to the Dean of the Music School 1956-57. He went on to serve congregations in Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, FL before arriving at Vineville Baptist Church in Macon in 1966. He served there as minister of music to his retirement in 1996, being named once Outstanding Minister of Music in the Southern Baptist Convention. Upon retirement he was named minister of music emeritus at Vineville, also serving as an interim minister for churches throughout the state convention. 

A founder of the Macon Symphony Orchestra and Macon Civic Chorale, Loyd served on the Symphony's board of directors as its first president. He also taught Church Music at Wesleyan College in Macon from 1974-79 and was a choral c0nsultant from Bibb County Schools from 1975-82. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; children Tom, John, and Lynn; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Honors

Ellen Croizer, 92, was honored Oct. 30 for her service as pianist of Shiloh Baptist Church in Ft. Gaines for 75 years. Croizer started playing the piano at Shiloh on the last Sunday in October 1941 and has faithfully continued in that role to the present. Ben Adkison, music/youth minister at the church, stated, “Mrs. Croizer is 92 years young and never misses a service. What an example! What a blessing! Our church has honored her service and faithfulness, but she deflects any praise and declares that her love for the Lord and her love for music motives her service as church pianist.”[/caption]

Retirements

First Baptist Church in Sylvester recently announced a retirement celebration honoring David Willard on Sunday evening, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Willard has served in music ministry for more than 40 years, the last seven at First Baptist. In addition, he also was minister to senior adults. First Sylvester is located at 207 North Isabella Street. For more information call (229) 776-3337.

What's Happening

Georgia Campers on Mission participated in the Georgia National Fair in Perry and the Ag Expo in Moultrie in October. The group handed out free water, gospel tracks, and gifts to participants at both events as well as share the gospel. Campers on Mission is an organization sharing the gospel throughout the country while camping in their recreational vehicles and tents. For more information check their page on Facebook. 

The First Baptist Church Stockbridge Academy is having its annual craft fair Nov. 12 at the church located on 4566 North Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. Admission is free.