Biographies M
November 23, 2020
Biographies O
November 23, 2020

Biographies N

BRIAN NALL

Brian Nall served as pastor of Pine Summit Baptist Church, Pensacola and Director of Missions for Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. He is married to Candace Nall.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES HENRY NASH

Charles Henry Nash (1836-1936) was born in New York and became a circuit rider in Kansas. He came to Florida before 1885. He served as pastor in Marion County and was pastor of Palm Avenue Baptist Church in Tampa about 1901-1906.

Source:
Judy Jolly email/February 8, 2009

NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

This has been the organizational name of some organized Black Baptist work since 1886. By 1876 all of the southern states except Florida had a
state missionary convention. In 1895 the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., was organized. In 1915 there was a split over the legal ownership
of a publishing house. The two convention names became N.B.C. Unincorporated (it incorporated in 1988) and N.B.C., U.S.A., Inc. There is a
reported membership of 3,500,000 with the largest number of members in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and California. There is an annual convention and officers elected each year.

Secondary Source:
Frank S. Mead, Sam Hill, Handbook of Denominations, 10th Edition.

NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, U.S.A., INC.

This body of Black Baptists has more than 7,500,000 adherents and is the largest of the black Baptist groups. This body has common roots with the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. This convention meets annually and its officers and a 15 member Board of Directors give oversight to convention business. The very successful and long tenure of Joseph H. Jackson (1953-1982) as President of this convention set the tone of strong presidential leadership. This denomination has strong interests in missionary, publishing, and education endeavors. A new world headquarters was opened in Nashville, Tennessee in 1990.

Secondary Source:
Frank S. Mead and Sam Hill, Handbook of Denominations, 10th Edition

EUGENE NAZARUK

Eugene Nazaruk (1908-1998) served as pastor of Russian Ukranian churches in Newark, New Jersey, and in Miami.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 17, 1998.

ED NEELEY

Ed Neeley served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1970.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ISMAEL NEGRIN

Ismael Negrin (April 22, 1899- ) was born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain. He was the son of Francisco Negrin and Sebastiana Sanchez Negrin. His father was a carpenter, and his mother a housewife. He had two brothers; Antonio (1891), Victoriane (1887), and two sisters; Maria (1895), and Zoila (1893). Negrin was raised in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain from 1899 to 1904; Gibara, Cuba, from 1904 to 1909; and Gunyos, Cuba, from 1909 to 1917. He graduated from high school at Guayos, Cuba, and attended the National Institute in Cuba (B.S. and B.A.). He attended the University of Havana, the Baptist Seminary in Havana, and received a D.D. degree from a University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Negris married Bessie E. Harrill Negrin on May 30, 1925, in Havana, Cuba. They had two children; Ismael in 1926, and Annie in 1928. Negrin was converted at age 19, and baptized on September 1, 1918, in Guayos, Cuba. He was ordained on October 1, 1924, at the Baptist Temple in Havana, Cuba. Negrin served as a pastor in Cuba (1924-1927, 1929-1946), Tampa (1927-1929), and Key West (1946-1959).

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

F. N. NEIGLES

F. N. Neigles served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tampa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. L. NELSON

A. L. Nelson served as pastor of Whitecastle Baptist Church, 1971-1978.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BRYON NELSON

Bryon Nelson served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. E. NELSON

C. E. Nelson served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHRIS NELSON

Chris Nelson graduated from The Baptist College of Florida. He served as pastor of Hickory Hill Baptist Church, Westville. Nelson and his wife Keisha have three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EDWARD DINSON NELSON

Edward Dinson Nelson, (1855-1923) was pastor of Bethlehem and Hickory Level churches in Jackson County, Ebenezer, Washington County, and Grassy Point Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Southport). Nelson and his wife, Sarah Ann Register Nelson (1865-1946) had ten children.

Secondary Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1889, p. 16.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. J. NELSON

J. J. Nelson was born about 1875 in Alabama. In 1913, Nelson was pastor of Jay Baptist Church. He pastored Poplar Dell Baptist Church (1915-1918),
and First Baptist Church, Century (1921-1922). Nelson died January 5, 1924.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JERRY NELSON

Jerry Nelson was born in Fayette, AL. He is a graduate of the Baptist College of Florida. Nelson served as pastor of Oakland Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach and Bluff Springs Baptist Church in Alabama. In 2010 he became pastor of Live Oak Baptist Church in Crestview. He and his wife Rhonda have three daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 21, 2010, p. 7.

JOHN D. NELSON

John D. Nelson served as pastor of Stump Springs Baptist Church, 1974.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

KEVIN NELSON

Kevin Nelson served as pastor of Stump Springs Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. W. NELSON

L. W. Nelson served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1934-1935.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. NELSON

Nelson-W.A.

W. A. Nelson of Orlando served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1909.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1910, p. 74.

STEVE NERGER

Steve Nerger served as pastor of Pines Baptist Church, Pembroke Pines.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. T. NEWBERRY

W. T. Newberry served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES NEWELL

Newell,-James

James Newell served twenty-three years as a Southern Baptist pastor. In 2005 he went to the Baptist College of Florida as associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. Newell graduated from William Carey College (B.A.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.D.). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church Jasper, Alabama (2002-2005) before moving to Florida. He and his wife, Roberta, have two children; Andrew and Tiffany.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. C. NEWMAN

J. C. Newman served as pastor of Gainesville Baptist Church in 1894. He resigned to go as pastor of First Baptist Church of Milledgeville, Georgia.

Secondary Source:
George C. Osborn. The First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida, 1870-1970, p. 10.

J. DONALD NEWMAN

J. Donald Newman (1936-2005) was a native of Gainesville and retired from the pastoral ministry in 2004 after serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, Summerfield, for 27 years. Newman and his wife, Margaret, had three sons; Darrell, Kenneth, and Carl, and a daughter, Karen.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 26, 2004, p.10; September 1, 2005, p. 11.

L. C. NEWMAN

L. C. Newman (1906-1993) died April 21, 1993, at age 87 at Valdosta, Georgia. Newman was a native of Suwannee County, Florida, and lived in Greenville from 1940-1993. Newman was a farmer, carpenter, school custodian, and served as a Florida Baptist preacher for over 35 years. Newman and his wife, Rosa Thigpen Newman, had three sons; Norman, Nathan, and Ronald, and three daughters; Georgia, Ruth, and Ruby.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES M. NEWSOME, JR.

James M. Newsome, Jr. (March 1, 1944- ) was born in Augusta, Georgia. He attended Mercer University (1963-1967) and The Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary (1967-1971). He served in staff positions in Georgia and Florida and is now pastor of First Baptist Church, Vero Beach (1996-). He has served on the staff at Vero Beach since 1976. Newsome and his wife, Karan, have three children: James III, Mindy and Carolyn.

Primary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society Biographical Sketch, 2003.

WILLIAM T. NEWSOME, JR.

William T. Newsome, Jr. (1926-2003) was born in Wellborn. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and received his education at Stetson University (B.A.), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and the University of Florida (Masters in English History). He pastored churches in Texas and Florida. He was the founding pastor of College Park Baptist Church and also served as pastor at Paran Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church, Gainesville. He and his wife Nelda Newsome had three sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ISAAC NEWTON

Isaac Newton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ocala and Fellowship Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. E. NEWTON

J. E. Newton served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1933-1938 and 1944-1947.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN NICHOLAS

John Nicholas graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. He served as pastor of Lakewood Park Mission. Wife, Jane.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ED NICHOLS

Ed Nichols served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GARY N. NICHOLS

Gary N. Nichols (1951-   ) was born in Newton, MS. He graduated from William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Nichols served as associate, Discipleship Training Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Carolyn Hurt Nichols have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. A. NICHOLS

J. A. Nichols served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala, First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka and Laurel Hill (1957-1962).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEE NICHOLS

Lee Nichols died in March 1975. He served 21 years in Daytona Beach as pastor of First Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church. He established
the first day care center for working mothers in Daytona Beach. He served on Southern Baptist Convention and Florida Baptist Convention committees. He and his wife, Bertie E. Nichols, had one daughter and three sons.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, March 20, 1975, p. 5.

JOHN NICHOLSON

John Nicholson served as Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Bonifay and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK B. NIGHTINGALE

Jack B. Nightingale (1924-1999) was a native of Rochester, Michigan. He graduated from Baptist Bible Seminary, Johnson City, New York. Nightingale was ordained in 1945, and served a number of churches in Pennsylvania, New York and Florida, including Trinity Baptist Church, Marianna; Westside Baptist Church, Fort Pierce, Inman Park, Winter Haven. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois, to whom he was married 46 years. He was survived by his wife, E.J., and three sons.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 16, 1999.

PAUL W. NIX

Paul W. Nix (1941-   ) was born in Indianola, MS. He graduated from Mississippi College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Nix served as director, Pastoral Ministries Department of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Carolyn Arnold Nix have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ZACHEUS NIX

Zacheus Nix served as pastor of Holmes Valley Baptist Church in the West Florida Baptist Association in 1858.

Secondary Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1858, p. 6.

G. ELMER NOBLE

G. Elmer Noble (1891-1964) was a native of Chicago. He worked with the Salvation Army before coming to Florida to serve as pastor. He served at
Hogan and Beach Boulevard churches in Jacksonville, First Baptist, Baldwin, and Mt. Carmel, Lake City. Noble and his wife, Pearl, had two
sons, George and John, and one daughter.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 17, 1964, p. 8.

A. J. NOBLETT

A. J. Noblett served as pastor of Walnut Hill Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK R. NOFFSINGER

Jack R. Noffsinger served as pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia, and left there to become pastor of the First Baptist Church, Gainesville (1951-1958). He was widely used in youth assemblies all across the South as an inspirational speaker. He left Gainesville to become pastor of Knollwood Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Noffsinger was a graduate of the University of Richmond, attended Colgate-Rochester Theological Seminary, and served as a chaplain in the United States Marines in the Pacific.

Secondary Source:
George C. Osborn. The First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida, 1870-1970, pp. 57-74.

CECILIA NOLAN

Cecilia Nolan graduated from the Woman’s Missionary Union Training School. She served as WMU Field Secretary, 1922-1924 and Young People’s Secretary, 1921-1924 both in Florida.

Source:
Martha Trotter; Faithful Servants.

GEORGE “SCOOTER” NOLAND
ALLYSON NOLAND

George “Scooter” and Allyson Noland served as missionaries to the Caribbean Basin. Scooter graduated from the Baptist College of Florida and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as assistant director of financial aid at BCF and youth pastor of First Baptist Church, Graceville. Scooter served as minister of youth and education/associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Panama City, 1998-2003. Allyson graduated from Florida State University. As missionaries to the Caribbean Basin Scooter worked in evangelism and church planting and Allyson was involved in community and home outreach. The Noland’s have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 31, 2003, p. 8.

RALPH J. NOLES

Ralph J. Noles served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

F. W. NOLTE

F. W. Nolte was pastor of First Baptist Church, Moore Haven.

Source:
1924 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 25.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RAYMOND H. NOLTE

Raymond H. Nolte served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee, 1923-1924.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

REY NOREGA

Rey Norega served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1993-1997.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT NORMAN

Robert Norman graduated from the University of South Florida, the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Greenwich Baptist Church in Connecticut, Riverside Baptist Church in Miami, and First Baptist Church in Key Largo before becoming pastor of First Baptist Church,Wauchula in 2004. He and his wife, Linda, have two sons.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 19, 2004, p. 11.

W. C. NORMAN

W. C. Norman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Palatka and San Mateo Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HENRY H. NORRIS

Henry H. Norris (1843-1916) was born  in Early County, Georgia. In 1858, his family moved to Florida. On April 2, 1861, in Tallahassee, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army, serving first in Company D, (Old) 1st Florida Infantry and later in Company C, 5th Florida Infantry. He was promoted 4th Cpl in 1862, then 3rd Cpl in early 1863. On July 2, 1863, he was wounded at Gettysburg, captured, and imprisoned at Fort Delaware. He was released on oath June 11, 1865. Following the war, he was a member of Camp E.A. Perry, United Confederate Veterans. For over 50 years, he pastored Florida Baptist churches, including New Hope, Bradenton, Sarasota, Wimauma and Boyett and El Bethel, Tampa. He died September 29, 1916, at his home near Oneco and was buried at Adams Cemetery, Bradenton. Mourned as one of Manatee County’s pioneer citizens, he was “a man who through a long and exemplary life had contributed much to the civic and religious upbuilding of both city and county.” He was married to Didemma S. Hull (1856-1946) in 1873.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Secondary Source:
Peace River Association Minutes, 1916, p. 6.
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, p. 67.

J. L. NORRIS

J. L. Norris served as pastor of LaCross Baptist Church, 1939, Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1943 and Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. F. NORRIS

W. F.. Norris (1826-1907) was born in Decatur, Georgia, the son of Enoch Allen, Jr. and Sarah Walker Norris. He served as a pastor in the Manatee Association (now Peace River). Norris was a Pvt for Co. C, 5th Florida Infantry during the civil war and is buried in the Wauchula Cemetery. He and his wife Sarena Elizabeth Drake Norris had twelve children.

Secondary Source:
Peace River Association Minutes, 1907, p. 25.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

IRVIN L. NORTHCUTT

Irvin L. Northcutt (1929-2004) was a native of Chapman, AL. He graduated from Norman Park College, Mercer University, and New Orleans Theological Seminary. Northcutt served as pastor in Georgia, Mississippi and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Naples, and First Baptist Church, Tavares. Northcutt and his wife,  Mildred “Mickey” Meadows Northcutt were emeritus International Mission Board missionaries who shared the gospel among American Peoples in Colombia and Peru for 30 years. Mildred died in 2019, in Columbus, GA. The couple had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, August 21, 1980, p. 6.

WILLIAM J. NORTON

William J. Norton (1900-1961) was a native of Knox County, Tennessee. He attended Carson-Newman College and The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary. Norton served as pastor in Irvine, Kentucky, First Baptist Church in Umatilla, Florida; and First Baptist Church, Dunedin, Florida. In 1956 he was called to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jasper, Florida, and served there until his death in 1961. Norton and his wife, Beatrice, had a
daughter, Margaret Ann Norton Womack, who served as minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 27, 1961, p. 12.

DENNIS NORVELL

Dennis Norvell served as pastor of Olga Baptist Church, Fort Myers, 2018.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MORRIS M. NOWELL

Morris M. Nowell was a native of Alabama. He graduated from Stetson University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Nowell served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Fruitland, First Baptist Church, Ormond Beach and First Baptist Church, Haines City. He and his wife, Joan Reagans Nowell had three daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM DUDLEY NOWLIN

Nowlin,-William-Dudley

William Dudley Nowlin (March 10, 1864-July 30, 1950) was licensed to preach before he was called. His church licensed him over his protest but
he later surrendered and attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His first pastorate was Parkland Church in Louisville. He was ordained at Martin, Tennessee on May 5, 1892. Nowlin s pastorates included churches in Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro,
Kentucky. The church in Owensboro would seat 2,700, and was often crowded as he preached. He was also pastor at Knoxville, Tennessee, and
Lakeland (1911-1913), West Palm Beach, and Arcadia in Florida. At the request of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, he wrote the History of Kentucky Baptists. He served as editor of the Western Recorder. He served as President of both the Kentucky and the Florida State Conventions (1930-1931). He also served as editor of the Florida Baptist Witness.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, March 16, 1944, p. 6; September 7, 1950, p. 5.
Alice M. Muir. A Historic Sketch, p. 20.

WARREN J. NUBERN

Warren J. Nuburn (1929-1992) was a native of Zolfo Springs, and was a World War II Navy veteran. He was ordained by the Ozona Baptist Church,
and served as pastor in Odessa, LaCrosse, Eliam Baptist Church, Melrose, Calvary Baptist Church, Gainesville, Sunset Point Baptist Church, Clearwater, First Baptist Church, Greenacres, El Bethel Baptist Church, Tampa, Lakeview Baptist Church, Delray Beach, and New Hope, Wauchula.
He and his wife, Charlene, had one son, Roger.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 14, 1980, p. 6; October 1, 1992, p. 11.

RALPH M. NYGARD

Ralph M. Nygard graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Palm Beach Atlantic. He served as pastor of Barwick Road Baptist Church, Delray Beach and First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie. He and his wife Diane have two children, Mark and David.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.