June 16, 2024
Dr. Lytle Stephen Bingham, age 72, of Watkinsville, Georgia passed away on April 17, 2023. He was born on January 3, 1951, in Saint Louis, Mo., the son of the late Lytle Brooks Bingham and Betty Sue Scott. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Harold Dale Harrison of Savannah, Tenn., and his stepmother, Helen Fern Bingham of Charleston, Mo.
Bingham was a pastor for over forty years and had the heart of a servant. He loved his family well and is remembered by his congregants as a minister who genuinely cared for them. After his retirement, he continued to speak into the lives of others by substitute teaching at North Oconee High School in Watkinsville, Ga.
He was also the camp pastor at Camp Kaleo in Forsyth, Ga., for 34 years. Camp Director Luke Foster said, “A lot of kids came to know Jesus and answered calls to ministry because of Steve’s faithfulness.”
David White, a former camper and staffer at Kaleo, remembers that Bingham’s use of the phrase, “Lord, speak to me personally,” was instrumental in his coming to faith in Christ in 1997. Over the course of the weeklong camp, White was convicted of his need for a personal relationship with Jesus. He recalls sitting in the worship center and looking across the lake at the wooden cross on the opposite bank with Bingham and camp staffers, “knowing that I needed to respond to the invitation, but I was afraid.”
The first night after he returned home from camp, White overcame that fear and placed his trust in Christ. “I am eternally grateful for Pastor Steve's willingness to spend a hot Georgia summer week sharing the gospel with young men,” Swift said, “And I know that as he entered our Savior's arms this past week, he heard Him say ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant’.”
Bingham was an avid Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves fan. He loved dogs and will be missed by his Boston Terrier, Buster, who he often brought with him to Camp Kaleo.
Bingham was diagnosed with terminal cancer on December 17, 2022, and passed away four months to the day of his diagnosis. He positively impacted the lives of those to whom he ministered and led and will be truly missed.
Bingham is survived by his wife, Jennie Carole Bingham; son, Brad Bingham and daughter-in-law, Deanna Bingham of Spring Hill, Tenn.; daughter, Stephanie Langley and son-in-law, Reid Langley of Hoschton, Ga.; grandchildren, Lauren and Landen Bingham, and Lawson and Weston Langley; siblings, Kathy Bingham Turner of Franklin, Tenn., and Christy Pullen and Holly Lovell of Charleston, Mo.; as well as several extended family members and friends.
A funeral service to honor Mr. Bingham’s life will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, beginning at 12:00 PM at The Rock Baptist Church, 6188 GA-42, Rex, GA 30273. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Graveside services and interment will take place on Sunday, April 30, 2023, beginning 2:30 PM at Shady Grove Cemetery in Saltillo, Tennessee. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Camp Kaleo. These funds will be used to fund costs associated with attending camp for boys whose parents are incarcerated as well as boys who need tuition assistance. Donations can be made at this link.
