Biographies B

November 23, 2020

Biographies A

FRANKLIN WASHINGTON ABBOTT

Franklin Washington Abbott (1845-1895) was a medical doctor, pastor and missionary. He was born in Georgia and came to West Florida in 1887. Abbott was very influential in Baptist work in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. In 1888 he visited 40 churches, preached 220 sermons, organized two churches, and baptized 87 converts. He was instrumental in the organizing of the Shady Grove Church which is now the First Baptist Church, Jay. His Aunt Lizzie Abbott was also a medical missionary and gospel singer in the Santa Rosa County area.

JAMES ARZO ABBOTT

James Arzo Abbott (1839-1913) was born in Indiana. He married Laura Leonora Richmond, a Canadian. As early as 1870 the family was living in Iowa and Abbott was serving as a Baptist minister. He moved to Pensacola in 1910. He and his wife, Laura, had seven children: Charles, Frederick, Walter, William, Benjamin, Lillie, and Cora. Laura Abbott died and James A. Abbott married Elizabeth Ava Barwick Harp of Milton. Abbott served as an early missionary and pastor in the Pensacola area. He served as pastor of Brent, Muscogee, Union Hill, First Baptist Church, Milton, and Powelton.

A. LINCOLN ABERCROMBIE

A. Lincoln Abercrombie (May 8, 1867-September 6, 1927) was born in New York City and graduated from Colgate University in June 1896. He taught school seven years and was called as pastor of First Baptist Church in Stanford, New York and was ordained there on May 25, 1904. Abercrombie became pastor of First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach on December 1, 1908, and served there until May 1, 1914. He then was pastor of the Baptist Church of Weston, Michigan (1914-1917). He returned to Florida and served at Umatilla for two years and Tavares for three years. Abercrombie was the organizer of Calvary Baptist Church, Daytona Beach. He also served as pastor of Ridgewood, Holly Hill.

C. SYLVESTER ABERNATHY

C. Sylvester Abernathy served as pastor of Lecanto Baptist Church.

D. J. ABERNATHY

D. J. Abernathy is best known to Florida Baptists as the very effective Executive Secretary-Treasurer, United Christian Action, Inc. His ministry was a constant moral alert to Florida Baptists as it related to matters of morals, integrity, and ethics. Abernathy served with the United States Army in World War II, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

E. C. ABERNATHY

E. C. Abernathy died January 23, 1969, after serving as a Baptist preacher for 55 years. Abernathy served as pastor at Hannibal and Flat Creek, Missouri, before moving to Florida in 1944. He served as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church, Tampa for 18 years. E. C. Abernathy and his wife had two sons, C. J. from St. Petersburg, and D. J. Abernathy who served as Executive Director, United Christian Action, Inc.

EUGENE ABERNATHY

Eugene Abernathy served as pastor of First Baptist Church, LaBelle. He and his wife Joyce Tribble Abernathy had two daughters.

A. C. ABNEY

A. C. Abney was born in Tennessee and served as pastor of a number of Baptist churches in West Florida. He served East Hill (1929-1943), Scenic Bay, and Scenic Heights of Pensacola. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Marianna (1944-1946), Westside Baptist Church, Ft. Pearce, and New Bethel in Santa Rosa County. He also served at First Baptist Church in Arlington, Kentucky, and First Baptist Church, Brookport, Illinois. Abney graduated from the Hall-Moody Institute of Martin, Tennessee, with the A.B. and B.S. degrees. In 1941 he preached the annual sermon at the Florida Baptist Convention on the text Acts 4:11-12. Abney died in 1963.

LUIS ACOSTA

Luis Acosta served as pastor of the Spanish language ministry at Pines Baptist Church, Pembroke Pines and later became the lead pastor.

RALPH W. ACREE

Ralph W. Acree (1909-1993) was a native of Ft. Meade. He was ordained by First Baptist Church in Plant City in 1944. He attended Stetson University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Safety Harbor from 1934 to 1935, Elfers from 1936 to 1937, Mt. Dora from 1938 to 1940, Blountstown from 1944 to 1948, and First Baptist Church in Stuart from 1948 to 1955. He served as moderator of the Chipola, Indian River, and Pinellas Associations. He and his wife, Dorothy, were married 58 years, and had one daughter, Martha.

W. J. ADAIR

W. J. Adair served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee 1922-1923.

BABB H. ADAMS

Babb H. Adams (1928-2013) served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Immokalee and First Baptist Church in Inverness (1987- ). He served as
president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1983.

BOB ADAMS

Bob Adams served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hialeah.

BRANT ADAMS

Brant Adams graduated from The Baptist College of Florida and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He became pastor of Seminole Heights
Baptist Church in Tampa in 2014. He and his wife, Crystal have five children.

GLYNN ADAMS

Glynn Adams served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1974-1975.

H. HERSHEL ADAMS

H. Hershel Adams graduated from Samford University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs and First Baptist Church, Fort Pierce. Adams served as director of missions, Choctaw Baptist Association (now Emerald Coast), 1999-2012.

HENRY ADAMS

Henry Adams (1914-1980) served as a Florida pastor for over 20 years. He served Jonesville Church, Newberry; First Baptist Church, Oak Hill; Fellowship Church, Ocala; First Church, Sebastian; and South Peninsula Church in Daytona Beach. He was married to Peggy Adams.

HEYWARD LANDER ADAMS

Heyward Lander Adams (1916-) was born in Williamston, SC and attended Brewton-Parker Junior College; Stetson University (B. A., 1945), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. R. E., 1947, B. D. 1948). Adams served as pastor in Georgia, Florida and Texas. In Florida he served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crescent City (1943-1945). Dorothy Jean Aderson Adams (1921-) was born in Camden Arkansas and educated at Texas State College for women (B. A. 1942) and Southwestern Seminary (M. R. E., 1948). Heyward and Dorothy married August 26, 1946, and were appointed to serve in Nigeria in 1948.

HOWARD ADAMS

Howard Adams served as pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, Madison and LaCrosse Baptist Church, Alachua. Wife Kathie.

MICKEY ADAMS

Mickey Adams served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Steinhatchee.

MARY CATHERINE ADAMS

Mary Catherine Adams (1920-) was born in Ocala, Florida and attended Florida State College for Women (B. A., 1942) and the W. M. U. Training School (M. R. E., 1948). Mary Catherine worked as church secretary at First Baptist Church, Ocala (1938) and was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy in World War II. She was appointed as a missionary to Nigeria in 1948.

ROBIN ADAMS

Robin Adams served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1963-1965.

SUSAN ADAMS

Susan Adams (1903-1993) was born near Falcon, Missouri, the daughter of David Franklin and Eliza Lucretia Caroline Casey Adams. She studied at Southwest Missouri State University and graduated from WMU Training School, Lebanon, Missouri. Adams taught in the Lebanon (Missouri) School System for nine years and two years in Louisville (Kentucky). She served from 1936-1940 as the Florida WMU Young People’s Secretary. Later she served in the youth department of Oklahoma WMU for five years and was the Executive Secretary of Oklahoma Baptist Women. She married William “Bill” Vernon Carden.

W. A. ADAMS

W. A. Adams served as pastor of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Bratt.

WILLIAM H. ADAMS

William H. Adams served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie.

FRAZIER ADAMSON

Frazier Adamson served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1972-1975.

R. J. ADAMSON

R. J. Adamson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Niceville.

J. DEAN ADCOCK

J. Dean Adcock (July 10, 1876-May 28, 1944) was born in Tennessee. He was educated at Union University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Francis Rives of Mansfield, Louisiana. Adcock served as pastor in Louisiana at Mansfield, Bunkie, and Leeville. In Florida, he served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee from 1912 to 1920, First Baptist Church, Orlando, (1920-1938), and Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, St. Petersburg (1938-1943). Adcock served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention 1935-1937.

JAMES ADKINS, JR.

James Adkins, Jr. ( -1996) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, George’s Lake, 1988-1989 and the Sampson City Baptist Mission, 1991-1996. His wife was Brenda Adkins.

JERRY L. ADKINS

Jerry L. Adkins (1931-2010) was born in Red River Parish, LA. He graduated from Mississippi College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, TX. Adkins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holly Hill, Parkview Baptist Church, Lakeland and First Baptist Church, Auburndale. He served as director of missions in the Beulah and Suwannee Baptist Associations. In 1994 Adkins retired and moved to Louisiana where he served as interim pastor in seventy-one churches. He and his wife Peggy Hancock Adkins had one daughter.

ELI WILSON ADKINSON

Eli Wilson Adkinson (1919-2005) was a lifetime resident of Flomaton, Alabama. He married Dovie Adkinson and they had one son Roger and three daughters, Emily, Jean and Diana. Wilson served as pastor of First Baptist Church and Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Century.

H. ADKINSON

H. Adkinson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento.

RICHARD ADLEMAN

Richard Adleman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

C. M. AGEE

C. M. Agee served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville (1931-1932).

STEPHEN AHRENS

Stephen Ahrens (1980-) graduated from North Greenville University (2002, B. A.) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (2005, M. A.). Ahrens has served at Wildwood Baptist Church, Bartow (2006-2009). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake City and First Baptist Church, Lake Josephine. Ahrens married his wife Kim in 2005. They have two daughters.

L. L. AIKIN

L. L. Aikin (a. 1836-1910) was a Baptist for 50 years and served as a pastor in Marion County, Florida. Aikin came from Alabama and settled in Heidlville in the western part of Marion County. He attended the annual associational meeting for thirty years without missing a meeting. He was the Sunday School missionary for Marion Association and was known for his organizational abilities. He died at age 74 in Ocala, and he and his wife had been married 56 years.

DANIEL L. AKIN

Daniel L. Akin (1957-) graduated from Criswell College 1980, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 1983 and the University of Texas 1989. Akin has served as pastor at churches in Florida, Texas, Virginia and Alabama. In 2004 Akin was elected the sixth president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a unanimous vote of the seminary’s board of Trustees. Akin and his wife Charlotte have four children: Daniel, Jonathan, Paul and Timothy.

EDWARD K. ALBRITTON

Edward K. Albritton (March 26, 1921- ) was born at Lily, near Tiny Prairie, Florida. He was called to preach while in the military but did not surrender until 1968. Albritten was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church, Arcadia. He graduated from Luther Rice Seminary and served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard from 1970 to 1973 and Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs, 1975-76. Albritten and his wife Mary Lee had two daughters and one son.

ELMER A. ALBRITTON

Elmer A. Albritton and Sam Durrance visited Avon Park in 1913 to lead a series of evangelical meetings. During their time in the city, they assisted 16 Christians in forming the First Baptist Church. Albritten also held the well-known Albritton Revival in 1916 in a tent, because the church at Brandon was too small. The revival lasted for six weeks with two services a day; afternoon and night. He baptized 102 in Sand Pond, west of Brandon. People came to the revival from far and near. So many people came that they had to sit outside the tent in their wagons or cars, or anywhere they could find a suitable place. Albritton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Meade, 1917 and Dry Prairie Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Florida, 1951-1953.

SIDNEY L. ALBRITTON

Sidney L. Albritton (1889-1974) was born in Lily, Florida to Thomas Guilford Albritton and Georgia Ann Coker. Albritton served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1921-22, 1945-46 and Union Baptist Church, Lily, 1924-1929. He and his wife Bertie Lane had three children.

CLEO O. ALBURY, JR.

Cleo O. Albury Jr., was serving as pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Miami in 1980.

DAVID O’NEAL ALDERMAN

David O’Neal Alderman (1905-) was born in Arcadia, Florida to James and Corene Alderman. Alderman graduated from the University of Florida (1927) and Florida Southern (1947). Alderman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Samoset (1936-37), First Baptist Church, New Port Richey (1937-41), First Baptist Church, Okeechobee (1941-45) and Field Secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention. Alderman and his wife Nelda had two sons, Russell and Samuel.

E. S. ALDERMAN

E. S. Alderman, E. S. served as pastor of Frist Baptist Church, Lake Wales.

GEORGE ALDERMAN

George Alderman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bonita Springs.

HENRY EUGENE ALDERMAN

Henry Eugene Alderman (1879-1976) was born in Fort Green, Florida, to Jessie James Alderman and Julia Ann Devane Alderman. There were three girls; Vinia, Clara, Dordia, and three boys; Carl, Henry, and Van in the family. In 1915 Henry married Nellie Barber at Verna, Florida, and they had eleven children (Floyd, Sadie Belle, Mary Evelyn, Floyd Eugene, Almetta, Julia, Francis Lea, John Baptist, Franklin Roosevelt, Raymond LeRoy and Shirley Mae). Henry served as pastor of Bethany in Myakka City (1931), Ona (1969-1971), and twelve other churches in Central Florida. He served many of these churches more than once. Buddy Payne was the uncle of Alderman and it was noted that Payne asked 100 questions of Henry at his ordination in 1927. Alderman was saved in a strawberry field in 1925. He was the organizing pastor of West Frostproof (1935) and Lake Region (1945).

R. C. ALDERMAN

R. C. Alderman served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1919, First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1921, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1925-26, First Baptist Church, Deerfield Beach, 1941, and Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola from 1942-1943.

WILLIAM CARL ALDERMAN

William Carl Alderman (1895-1968) was the son of Jessie James and Julia Alderman. He served as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Manatee County in 1952. Alderman and his wife Dora (1901-1953) had ten children.

A. V. ALDRIDGE

A. V. Aldridge served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1961-1963.

J. TITUS ALDRIDGE

J. Titus Aldridge served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Crestview from 1950-1953. He was a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

C. A. ALEXANDER

C. A. Alexander served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

JAMES W. ALFORD

James W. Alford served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

KEN ALFORD

Ken Alford served as pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church for eight years (1993-2002) He served as trustee chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board and a member of the Florida Baptist Convention’s state board of missions. He was also the 1999-2000 president of the Florida convention. Alford and his wife Cynthia have two children. Alford has been a pastor for more than 20 years, leading churches in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia.

W. H. ALFORD

W. H. Alford served as pastor of Sandy Creek, New Hope and Limestone Baptist churches in Holmes County 1870-1881.

A. B. ALLEN

A. B. Allen served as pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola from 1947-1950 and Central Baptist Church 1955. He was a graduate of the University of Richmond, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

DANIEL M. ALLEN

Daniel M. Allen (1943-2005) was a native of Winfield, Louisiana. He served churches in Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland and Florida. Allen was pastor of South Jacksonville Baptist Church when he died in 2005 at age 62. He and his wife Hazel had tow sons, Mark and Matthew; and one daughter Michele.

EUGENE E. ALLEN

Eugene E. Allen was a native of Miami. He graduated of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Allen served as pastor of churches in the Miami and Key West area and Greenacres First Baptist Church. He and his wife had two daughters.

GEORGE K. ALLEN

George K. Allen served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1882 to 1883.

GREG ALLEN

Greg Allen served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1988-1989.

HAROLD ALLEN

Harold Allen served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

J. D. ALLEN

J. D. Allen (1912-2009) was born in Meridian, Mississippi. Allen graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954. He served churches in Alabama, Florida, Puerto Rico and Georgia. Allen served as an early faculty member of Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, Florida. Allen and his wife Thelma had two children; David and Dorothy.

J. T. ALLEN

J. T. Allen served as pastor of Circle Hill Baptist Church, Jackson County from 1883-1885.

JAMES ALLEN

James Allen served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Destin.

JOHN ALLEN

John Allen served as pastor of San Mateo Baptist Church, 1942-1943.

JOHN NELSON ALLEN, SR.

John Nelson Allen, Sr. (1925-1992) was a graduate of Stetson University, DeLand and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Wake Forrest. He served as a Baptist preacher in North Carolina and Florida for 40 years. He served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church and was pastor of New Hope in Zephyrhills at the time of his death. He and his wife had one daughter, Linda, and three sons, John Jr., Eugene, and Wayne.

PETE ALLEN

Pete Allen served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1963-1964.

RICHARD L. ALLEN

Richard L. (Richie) Allen (January 7, 1965- ) was licensed and ordained at the Michael Memorial Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi. He is a graduate of The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville (B.A., 1993), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1995; D.Min., 2002). He served as pastor in Alabama and Mississippi before becoming pastor of First Baptist Church, Hillard in 1996.

ROBERT A. ALLEN, JR.

Robert A. Allen, Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He finished high school at Daytona Beach, and attended Duke, University of Florida, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach at Ormond Beach. He served as pastor in Oklahoma and Georgia before becoming pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in August 1978. He and his wife, Patty, have three children. They celebrated their 25th anniversary of service at West Bradenton in 2003.

STEVE ALLEN

Steve Allen served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

TOM ALLEN

Tom Allen served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1953-1954.

WAYNE ALLEN

Wayne Allen served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1987-1988.

WILLIAM SIMS ALLEN

William Sims Allen (October 27, 1888—June 1, 1951) was born on a ranch near Hico, Texas, and died in San Antonio, Texas. He is buried at Hico, Texas. Allen was a teacher, writer, educator, and is best known to Florida Baptists as the hard working president of Stetson University from September 1, 1934, to September 1, 1947. Allen was a graduate of Baylor University (A.D., 1912), and Columbia University (A.M., 1915; Ph.D., 1923. He received the LL.D. from Simmons University in 1932 and the L.H.D. from Stetson University in 1944. Allen married Gertrude Eudaly, June 22, 1914. They had no children. He was a public school teacher in Texas and taught at Baylor where he served as acting president (1931-1932) before coming to Stetson. Allen came to Stetson when the enrollment and finances were very low due to the depression. He was an excellent public speaker and built good relations with the churches, civic clubs, and Florida Baptist Convention. He served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1940-1941.

GEORGE A. ALLISON

George A. Allison served 21 years as a Baptist pastor, one year as a missionary in Italy, and completed eight years as a director of missions in Halifax Association in 1980.

C. E. ALMAND

C. E. Almand served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie.

CLAUDE MARION ALMAND

Claude Marion Almand (May 31, 1916-September 12, 1957) was born at Winneboro, Louisiana. He was a composer and music educator. Almand was a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A., B.M., 1934), Louisiana State University (M.M., 1938) and the Eastman School of Music of The University of Rochester (Ph.D. 1940). Almand was the son of Baptist pastor, Claude Fortson Almand and Pearl Harrison Almand. Almand married Lenoir Patton on July 27, 1950, and they had no children. He taught at George Peabody College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Louisville. He is best known to Florida Baptists as Dean of the School of Music at Stetson University (1953-1957). Almand died in an automobile accident in 1957, and is buried at Oakdale Cemetery at DeLand, Florida. His best known sacred composition is The Resurrection Story, an Easter cantata published by Broadman Press in 1959.

T. RAYDELL ALMAND, SR.

T. Raydell Almand, Sr. (1923-2009) was a veteran of World War II and served for 55 years as a Baptist preacher. He served many churches in the Tampa area and was pastor emeritus of West Broad Street Baptist Church in Tampa upon his death. He had one son, Roy; and daughters Sylvia and Patricia.

HARRY ALTEMUS

Harry Altemus served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, 1950.

CHARLES BENJAMIN ALTHOFF

Charles Benjamin Althoff (1879-1970) was born in England. Althoff served as pastor in New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana and Florida. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, LaBelle, 1945-1947; Ortega Baptist Church, Jacksonville, 1947-1951; and East Hill Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1953-1954. Althoff was married to Leona Lavender and they had a daughter, Marilyn.

J. E. ALTMAN

J. E. Altman served as pastor of Lorida Baptist Church, Kissimmee and First Baptist Church, Canal Point.

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES, U.S.A.

In the early days of Baptist work, the local church was the primary organizing agent. The Philadelphia Association was formed in 1707, and work was being done to structure a national organization when Southern Baptists broke away in 1845. The Northern Baptist Convention was formed in 1907, and changed its name to the American Baptist Convention in 1950. In 1972 the convention adopted its third and present name. In 1995 there were 5,827 churches with a membership of 1,537,400 in 34 regions. The denomination has 20 children s homes, 77 retirement homes and communities, 27 hospitals and nursing homes, 9 theological seminaries, and 16 senior colleges or universities.

GUINN T. AMLONG

Guinn T. Amlong (1931-1993) was born in Palmetto to Clyde and Clois (Terry) Amlong. Amlong was ordained at Bethany Baptist Church, Myakka City in 1980. He served as pastor of Palmdale Baptist Church and Ona Baptist Church. Amlong and his wife Iris had two children.

CLAUDE AMMERMAN

Claude Ammerman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sarasota.

H. P. AMOS

H. P. Amos ( -1963) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Kissimmee for 12-1/2 years until his death in 1963.

JOSE ANTONIO ANAYA

Jose Antonio Anaya (1936- ) was born in Central, NM. He graduated from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Anaya served as a missionary for the International Mission Board to Colombia, South America. In 1999, Anaya served as the Director of language Missions Department of the Florida Baptist State Convention. He and his wife Alicia Contreras Anaya have two daughters and one son.

B. M. ANDERSON

B. M. Anderson served as pastor of Woodstock Park Baptist Church, Jacksonville and First Baptist Church, Okahumpka.

BOB ANDERSON

Bob Anderson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Cottondale 1983-1985 and Moultrie Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1999.

CHARLES THOMAS ANDERSON

Charles Thomas Anderson (1880-1971) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Southport and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon. He married Everetta Dinson Nelson on Feb 23, 1905.

DAN ANDERSON

Dan Anderson served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt, 1909-1910 and Damascus Baptist Church of Boggy Bayou, 1910-1911, (now First Baptist Church, Niceville).

E. R. ANDERSON

E. R. Anderson served as pastor of Warrington Baptist Church, Pensacola.

E. S. “ANDY” ANDERSON

E. S. Anderson (1927-2001) was a native of Cheraw, South Carolina. He attended Atlanta Bible College, and earned a degree from Luther Rice Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wildwood, 1953-1956, Riverside Baptist Church in Ft. Myers from 1955 to 1975 and Southwest Baptist Church, Fort Myers. Anderson is best known to Southern Baptists as the father of the Sunday School Action Plan. Enrolling anybody, anywhere, anytime, anyhow, brought powerful enthusiasm to Sunday Schools in the 1970s and 1980s. Anderson worked for the Baptist Sunday School Board and traveled widely to promote Sunday School and the bus ministry. He and his wife, Eleanor, had two daughters, Mary Anne and Sonya, and a son, Ronald.

E. W. ANDERSON

E. W. Anderson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

ELWIN R. ANDERSON

Elwin R. Anderson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Cedar Key.

FRANK T. ANDERSON

Frank T. Anderson (1908-1989) was born in Elbert County, GA the son of J. T. B. and Tulula Hydrick Anderson. He attended Mercer University, Florida Southern College, Lakeland and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served pastorates in Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida including First Baptist Church, Lake Wales, Palm Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, and First Baptist Church, Bradenton.Anderson and his wife Estelle Lillian had three children. Estelle died in December, 1950 and Anderson remarried Lillian Doreen Olson in 1952.

GUY P. ANDERSON

Guy P. Anderson (1896-1988) was a resident of Polk County from 1921 to 1988. Anderson was a bi-vocational minister and worked as a dragline operator for Agrico Chemical Company. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Mulberry, Gapway Baptist Church, and Dixie Highway Baptist Church, Lakeland. He also served as pastor of Midway Baptist Church in Hillsborough County. He and his wife, Beatrice, had five children; Marguerite, Kaylup, Lucille, Vesta, and Guy. Guy and Beatrice were married for 72 years.

HAROLD A. ANDERSON

Harold A. Anderson served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

J. T. B. ANDERSON

J. T. B. (Bird) Anderson, was born in SC. Anderson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tampa, First Baptist Church, Bradenton, Knights Baptist Church, Polk County, and Webster Memorial, Lakeland. Anderson died September 13, 1942 in Lakeland and was buried in Savannah, Georgia.

JACK ANDERSON

Jack Anderson served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Perry, beginning in 1976.

JAMES M. ANDERSON

James M. Anderson graduated from Stetson University, DeLand. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Seabreeze (now Calvary Baptist Church), Daytona Beach.

JEROME ANDERSON

Jerome Anderson serves as pastor of Olga Baptist Church, Fort Myers. He and his wife Erin Anderson have two daughters.

JOHN HENRY ANDERSON

John Henry Anderson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Southport (aka Grassy Point).

L. N. ANDERSON

L. N. Anderson served as pastor of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Palatka (1917-1927).

M. T. ANDERSON

M. T. Anderson served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1909.

PATRICK R. ANDERSON

Patrick R. Anderson (1943- ) graduated from Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Sam Houston State University, TX, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Furman University, SC. Anderson served as Special Consultant on Lotteries for the Florida Baptist State Convention, 1987-1988. He and his wife have three children.

THOMAS JEFFERSON ANDERSON

Thomas Jefferson Anderson (1898-1971) was born at Luanna in Walton County. He was the son of Daniel Anderson and Mary Elizabeth Pitman Anderson. He married Claudia Elizabeth Davis on November 28, 1920. Anderson served as teacher, principal, postman, preacher and pastor. He served as the first pastor of Warrington Baptist Church, Pensacola (1939-1947). He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt, First Baptist Church, Cantonement, Cavey Creek Baptist Church and later served many churches as interim. The Anderson’s had four children: Willie Clarice, Lancelot, Sidney and Maxwell. Their son Sidney L. Anderson (1924-1944) was a casualty of World War II.

WILLIAM E. ANDERSON

William E. Anderson served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater. He also served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1982.

W. L. ANDERSON

W. L. Anderson (-1936) served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum.

JOHN ANDES

John Andes was born in Sanford, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Andes served as pastor of First Baptist Church, McIntosh. He taught Leadership and Law at the University of Florida and taught at West Virginia University for 26 years. Andes and his wife Peggy have four children.

D. C. ANDRESS

D. C. Andress served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Macclenny in 1896. Andress died in 1908.

BARNEY ANDREWS

Barney Andrews (1912-1997) was a native of Lake Butler. He attended Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Florida. He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Perry; Brooker Baptist Church, LaCross; and Marietta Baptist Church, Jacksonville; Southside, Perry, River Road, Palatka, and Satsuma. He and his wife, Elease Addison Andrews, were married 62 years. They had two daughters, Joise and Bonnie.

D. C. ANDREWS

D. C. Andrews served as pastor of Baldwin Baptist Church, Duval County, 1902-1907.

DANNY ANDREWS

Danny Andrews served as pastor of East Side Baptist Church, Milton. John Smith, Sr.

E. S. ANDREWS

E. S. Andrews served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Groveland.

EDWARD L. ANDREWS

Edward L. Andrews was born in southern Alabama and raised near Pensacola, Florida. He attended Stetson University, Carson-Newman, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He held pastorates in Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna in 1926-1927. Andrews was known for evangelistic preaching and singing. He married Ada Vickers Andrews. They had one child, Edward L. Andrews, Jr., who died while a student at Georgetown College in Kentucky. Andrews died September 20, 1945, in Dade City.

JACK ANDREWS

Jack Andrews graduated from the Baptist College of Florida in 2003. Andrews served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 2001-2002, Beulah Baptist Church, Winter Garden and First Baptist Church, Newberry. He and his wife, Tracy have two children, Elijah and Emma Leigh.

JACK E. ANDREWS

Jack E. Andrews (1923-2002) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona; North Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Alachua; Douglas Park Baptist Church, Daytona; and was pastor of McCormick Road Baptist Church, Apopka at the time of his death at age 79. He and his wife had two sons; Jack Jr., and Bryan, and a daughter, Clara.

PAT ANDREWS

Pat Andrews served as pastor of West Pensacola Baptist Church and in 2001 became the Director of Missions of the Escambia Baptist Association in the
Flomation, Alabama area.

CHARLES ROY ANGELL

Charles Roy Angell (October 8, 1889-September 11, 1971) was born at Boone Mill, Virginia, in 1889. He studied at the University of Richmond (B.A.), Penn University (M.A.), Crozier Theological Seminary (B.D.), and John Hopkins University (Ph.D.). Angell married Ilma Meade of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on October 8, 1915. Their children were Charles Roy, Jr., Pattye Kathryn, and Ilma Louise. Angell was the best known Florida Southern Baptist preacher in his lifetime. He was pastor of Central Baptist Church in Miami from 1936 until his retirement in 1962. Previous to serving in Florida, Angell was pastor in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; First Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia; Fulton Avenue Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland; and First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Angell wrote several sermon books. Included are Iron Shoes, Shields of Brass, The Price Tags of Life, and God s Gold Mines. He served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1949, and as trustee at Stetson and at the Baptist Hospital of Miami. He delivered the annual sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention in 1951. In his preaching, he was the best sermon illustrator in the Southern Baptist pulpit. Angell served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1949.

JAMES B. ANNIS, SR.

James B. Annis, Sr. (1932-2013) was born in Linden, Florida, the son of James John and Theatcher Brantley Annis. He graduated from Wake Forest University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Annis was ordained in 1954 by Melrose Baptist Church (now Miami Lakes), Miami. He served as a missionary and church planter in Ghana, West Africa with the Southern Baptist Convention for 15 years. Annis served as pastor of Whispering Pines Baptist Church, Sebring where he was founding pastor and served for five years before becoming the Director of Missions for the Pasco Baptist Association, 1986-1993. He and his wife, Dorothy Annis had four children.

JOSEPH A. ANSLEY

Joseph A. Ansley was a native of Georgia. Ansley and his wife Jessie moved to Fort Myers in 1922 when he was named pastor of First Baptist Church.
Ansley died in 1924.

J. B. ANSLEY

J. B. Ansley (1909-1992) served as pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, Panama City 1945, First Baptist Church, Southport 1952, University Heights, Tallahassee 1953-1955 and Immanuel Baptist Church, Panama City. Ansley was married to Janie Lenora (1913-1987).

J. D. ANSLEY

J. D. Ansley and his family moved to Florida from Sumter, South Carolina in 1916. Ansley served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pensacola (1916-1920). He also was put into a very important role due to World War I. He became camp pastor for the military units stationed around Pensacola. This appointment along with his pastoral work placed him in a very strategic ministry position with the people in the Pensacola area.

W. L. ANTHONY

W. L. Anthony served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, from 1883-1884. He went to Pensacola from Durhamville, Tennessee.

YANCEY L. ANTHONY

Yancey L. Anthony (1922-2016) was born in Walker County, Alabama. He graduated Samford University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and did graduate work at Vanderbilt. Anthony served pastorates in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and was the first pastor of First Baptist Church, Ft Walton Beach. He and his wife Betty Arlene Pratt Anthony were married for 32 years.

GEORGE J. APEL JR.

George J. Apel Jr. (1902-1988) died May 16, 1988, in Alhambra, California, and ten days later, his wife, Clara, died. Apel had served as pastor of Norwood Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, McDowell Baptist Church, St. Augustine, South Miami Baptist Church, Southside in Fort Lauderdale, and Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, from which he retired in 1967. Apel and his wife Clara had five children; Elda, Irma, Paul, Daniel, and Roger.

TOBY APLIN

Toby Aplin served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

ANTONIO O. ARANGO

Antonio O. Arango (1961- ) was born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from Florida International University, Miami, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1992, by Bethel Baptist Church, Hialeah. Arango served with the Baptist Campus Ministry, Miami area for the Florida Baptist State Convention. He and his wife, Alexis Hernandez Arango have one daughter.

WILLIAM B. ARCHER

William B. Archer (-1958) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone in (1937-1943). He and his wife Margret had one daughter.

MILLARD ARCHIBALD

Millard Archibald (1911-1980) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, White Springs (1953-1958). Archibald was known as a rare book collector and his wife, Julia was a Romance Language scholar. They had four children: Norman, Millard, Sterling and Tommy.

HENRY ZUBLY ARDIS

Henry Zubly Ardis (1811-1881) was pastor of Sharon Baptist Church, 1845 and Hickstown Church, 1843-1867, both churches located in Madison. Ardis was one of the seventeen pastors to participate in the organizational meeting of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1854. He served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1869. His death was reported in the 1881 Minutes of the Florida Baptist Association.

ROLLIN S. ARMOUR

Rollin S. Armour (1929-) served as Secretary-Treasurer-Curator for the Florida Baptist Historical Society from 1962-1972. Armour was professor of
religion at Stetson University from 1960-1973. Armour and his wife Mary Anne have three children.

D. WADE ARMSTRONG

D. Wade Armstrong died on March 2, 2003 at age 83. He served in the ministry for 65 years. Armstrong was a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with his Th.M. and Th.D.degrees. Armstrong served as pastor in Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Florida. He served as evangelism director in California and director of missions of Palm Lake Baptist Association (1971-1979) in Florida. After his retirement in 1988, he and his wife worked with the International Mission Board in 17 countries as short-term International Service Corp Volunteers. Armstrong and his wife Shirley, moved to Pahokee, Florida, in 2002 to work with the church there. Armstrong served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Credo, West Virginia. The church grew from a congregation of 35 to over 100 in his ministry there. Armstrong and his wife had four sons, and two daughters; Daniel, Ernest, James, Chris, Miriam and Leigh. They also had eight grandchildren.

J. M. ARMSTRONG

J. M. Armstrong served as pastor of Canoe Bluff Baptist Church, Okaloosa County.

O. FRANK ARMSTRONG

O. Frank Armstrong (1925-2006) served as pastor of churches in Texas and Tennessee. He worked with the Baptist Sunday School Board from 1955-1962. Armstrong was the first director of missions of Pinellas Baptist Association (now Suncoast) and served there from 1962-1972.

RAPLEY ARMSTRONG

Rapley Armstrong served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel).

RICKEY ARMSTRONG

Rickey Armstrong served as pastor of Glendale Baptist Church, Miami, 1996-2009. He and his wife Tobitha had six children.

ROLAND B. ARMSTRONG

Roland B. Armstrong served as a Home Mission Board pastor of Clark Memorial Baptist Church, (aka Ybor City Baptist Temple). He was called to serve as a chaplain in the Army Chaplain Corps, 1956.

WILLIAM FRANCIS ARNETT

William Francis Arnett (January 26, 1868-August 23, 1945) was the son of William Arnett (born about 1845) and Eliza Jane Summerlin Arnett, and was born in Pensacola. Arnett was a pastor, preacher, missionary who also worked in turpentine, and farmed a 160 acre homestead. He was married three times and had ten children in those three marriages. Arnett served as pastor in Santa Rosa County at Canoe Bluff, Providence, Dogwood Grove, Spring Hill, Refuge, Yellow River, Wellman, Newell, Red Oak (1909-1921) and Beaver Creek (1900-1902). Several of the churches became part of Okaloosa County in 1915. In 1905 he organized Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and served as their pastor until 1912.

PAT ARNOLD

Pat Arnold was ordained by First Baptist Church, Altoona and also served as the pastor from 1940-1943.

RALPH “YANKEE” ARNOLD

Ralph “Yankee” Arnold served as pastor in Georgia and Florida. He has served at Calvary Community Church, Tampa since 2009-present. Arnold is the founder of Florida Bible College of Tampa. He and his wife Betty have three children.

W. F. ARNST

W. F. Arnst served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Niceville.

DAN ARRANT

Dan Arrant served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville until his death in 1953.

ERIC ARRANT

Eric Arrant served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

A. P. ASHURST

A. P. Ashurst was the first pastor of First Baptist Church Quincy. He was from Columbia, Alabama, and was already retired from preaching, and living near Thomasville, Georgia, when he was preaching in Quincy (1893). Ashurst was the sole owner and editor of the Florida Baptist Witness in 1884, but sold half interest to S. M. Provence in 1885.

AMELIA J. ASHWORTH

Amelia J. Ashworth (1956- ) graduated from Berry College, GA and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She served with the Florida Baptist State Convention Woman’s Missionary Union.

BERT ATCHISON

Bert Atchison served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale,1918-1921; Cross Prairie Baptist Church, 1919-1921 and Narcoossee Baptist Church, 1921-1928.

PRESTON ATHEY

Preston and Tamara Athey were appointed NAMB missionaries to serve at Wesley Chapel in 2009. Preston attended Hillsborough Community College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tamara attended Bay Area Legal Academy. They have two sons, Kameron, and Karson.

J. A. ATKINS

J. A. Atkins served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1909-10.

R. L. ATKINS

R. L. Atkins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Belle Glade.

ROBERT H. ATKINS

Robert H. Atkins (1927-1993) served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Belle Glade for 15 years.

RANDY G. ATKINSON

Randy G. Atkinson graduated from Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He served as pastor of Warrington Baptist Church, Pensacola and churches in Alabama. He and his wife Sharron have one son.

ADOLPH A. AUBERT

Adolph A. Aubert (1880-1921) was born in France. Aubert attended Gordon College, Boston and Crozier Theological Seminary, Chester, Pennsylvania. He served as pastor in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire and Florida. Aubert served as pastor of Bay Haven Baptist Church, Sarasota, 1926-1929. He and his wife Mable had one daughter Marion. Aubert died in 1961.

CHUCK AUSCHWITZ

Chuck Auschwitz graduated from the Baptist College of Florida and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Auschwitz served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway.

E. V. AUSTIN

E. V. Austin served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville.

HENRY F. AUSTIN

Henry F. Austin served as the first pastor of Corinth Baptist Church (now Athena Baptist Church), Taylor Association.

CASSUIS ELIJAH AUTRY

Cassuis Elijah Autry (1905-1993) presided over evangelism for the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served as professor of evangelism for the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Autry served as pastor of churches in Florida including Millview (now Blue Angel Baptist Church), Escambia County. He and his wife Aline Hilton Autry had two sons.

L. A. AVANT

L. A. Avant was pastor of Twenty Second Avenue Baptist Church in Miami in 1941.

JULIUS HILLIER AVERY

Julius Hillier Avery was born and reared at Rome, Georgia. He was raised in a Christian home and was one of six children. He was converted at age 13, and ordained on September 27, 1927. Dr. Avery graduated from Howard College in 1935 (B.A.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in May 1938, (M.Th.), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1941 (Th.D.). Avery married Martha Green on December 27, 1931. Mrs. Avery was a graduate of Howard College and Florida State (M.A.). and was a school teacher. She and Dr. Avery had three children, Laurence G., Lynn (Mrs. F. I. Meredith), and Joel E. Avery was pastor of Mt. Alto Baptist Church in 1927, West Side Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama, and the Boligee Baptist Church in Alabama. He was also pastor of The Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi (1938-1941), First Baptist Church of Florence, Alabama (1941-1944), Clayton Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama (1945-1949) and First Baptist Church, Panama City, Florida (1949-1965). He served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention (1958) and as Director of Work with the National Baptists in Florida with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Avery served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1958.

DON AYCOCK

Don Aycock was born in El Campo, Texas. He graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Aycock served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Palatka and Liberty Baptist Church, Palatka. He and his wife Carla Ricketts Aycock have twin sons.

SANFORD EMMETT AYERS

Sanford Emmett Ayers (1900-1968) and his wife served as medical missionaries to China for 34 years. Ayers was a medical doctor and was appointed by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board in 1921. Dr. and Mrs. Ayers were retired and living in Winter Garden, Florida, at the time of his death.

Biographies A

Biographies B

Biographies B

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