Songer, longtime Georgia Baptist pastor, dies

MACON — Jerry Alan Songer died on Oct. 10. He was 83. 

A native of Indiana, Songer held degrees from Belmont College (now University), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

During his 40 years of ministry he served as pastor of two Georgia Baptist Churches — Central Baptist Waycross, and First Baptist Roswell in Georgia. He also held officer positions with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s Executive Committee and served with local associations.

In addition, he served as pastor of First Baptist Winchester, First Baptist Mitchellville, First Baptist Huntland, First Baptist Greenbrier, Westwood Baptist Cleveland, Central Baptist Chattanooga in Tennessee and served in officer positions with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. 

After retiring in 1996 at age 60, he became a certified deacon trainer, intentional interim, conflict mediator, pastoral care specialist, and transitional pastor and served nine churches as long-term interim pastor until 2005.

He leaves behind his wife, Brenda; a daughter, Sheree Crowe of Cumming; stepdaughter, Tabitha Hinson of Macon; sons Mark, Brent, and Shane, all of Chattanooga, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Songer of Muncie, Indiana; and sister, Carolyn Dean of Springfield, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane. 

A memorial service was held on Oct. 14 at Vineville Baptist Church in Macon. A second celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at First Baptist Church, Roswell. Fellowship is planned after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jerry and Jane Songer Scholarship Fund at Belmont University, Vineville Baptist Church, or First Baptist Church, Roswell.

Note: An earlier version stated Songer as having two daughters and a son. The Index regrets the error.