Biographies A
November 23, 2020
Biographies C
November 23, 2020

Biographies B

FRANK BAGGOTT

Frank Baggott (1924-2016) was born in Fountain, Florida. Baggott attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he earned his Master’s in Theology. His first pastorate was Woodlawn Baptist Mission, Okaloosa County, which became a church while he was there. He served as Chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 25 years in various locations around the globe. Following his retirement from the Navy, he began working for the Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board pastoring churches in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany; Quito, Ecuador; and Clearwater Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong (China). He and his wife Faye Louise had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GARY L. BAGLEY

Gary L. Bagley graduated from Furman University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blackville, South Carolina (1973-1980) before going as pastor of Bayshore Baptist Church, Tampa, in 1980.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, March 13, 1980, p. 6.

SARAH RUTH BAGWELL

Sarah Ruth Bagwell served for 20 years as the Director of Camping and Girls in Action, Acteens Director for the Florida Woman s Missionary Union. She died in October 2000.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PORTER M. BAILES

Porter M. Bailes (March 28, 1888- ) was born at Fort Mill, South Carolina. He studied at Mars Hill College, Furman University, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bailes served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lakeland from 1926-1929.

Secondary Source:
Alice M. Muir. A Historic Sketch, pp. 24-26.

ANN B. HESTER BAILEY

Ann B. Hester Bailey was Secretary of the Woman s Mission Work of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1881-1886. She was the wife of Rev. N. A. Bailey. The 1886 Florida Baptist State Convention Annual gives a moving account of the memorial services for Mrs. Bailey. She was living in Micanopy when appointed by W. N. Chaudoin to head up the Woman s Missions Work. Some of the most heart warming appeals penned by Mrs. Bailey were asking ten cents each of Florida Baptist women to build an enclosure for the grave of Ann H. Judson in Burma, and her mission reports in the Florida Baptist Witness. Ann was a native of Fayetteville, Tennessee. She married Napoleon Alexander Bailey on January 18, 1858. She and Dr. Bailey served faithfully in the ministry for many years. Dr. W. N. Chaudoin said, She was a choice spirit. She died in the harness. . . (on September 26, 1886).

Secondary Sources:
Florida Baptist Convention Annuals, 1881-1886.
The Life and Work of Mrs. A. B. Bailey by Mrs. O. R. Mays.
Faithful Servants by Martha Pope Trotter.
A History of Florida Baptists by Earl Joiner.
History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia with Biographical Compendium.
Florida Baptist Witness, December 9, 1886, p. 1.

B. B. BAILEY

B. B. Bailey (1845-October 9, 1899) died at his home in Anclote, Florida, October 9, 1899, after having served six years as an ordained minister at the time of his death.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual. 1899. pp. 43-44.

F. N. K. BAILEY

F. N. K. Bailey (1867-1955) was born in Selma, Alabama. Dailey came to DeSoto city in 1922 for health reasons. Bailey served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. Bailey gave his entire life to education and the support of educational institutes. He would serve as a trustee for Stetson University from 1935-1955. Col. F. N. K. Bailey and James S. Day, Jr. were initiators in an attempt to start Florida Baptist Junior College at Sebring. The Florida economic boom collapsed and the school never really got started.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JESSE ARTEMUS BAILEY

Jesse Artemus Bailey (1935-2008) was born in Pensacola the son of Artemus and Syble Onus Price Bailey. Jesse attended Carson Newman and New Orleans Seminary. He married Annie Louise Greeson and they married June 8, 1957. The father of Annie Louise (Lucy) was killed in Normandy on August 3, 1944 during World War II.  Bailey served as pastor in Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina before becoming pastor of FBC, Bratt (1989-2001). The Baileys had one child. Jesse Artemus Bailey, Jr.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society Files, Judith Jolly Research.

NAPOLEON ALEXANDER BAILEY

Napoleon Alexander Bailey (September 5, 1833-July 7, 1897) was born in Lawrence County, Alabama, to John W. Bailey, a native of Virginia, and his wife, Mary E. Florence, from Maryland. John died in 1840 and Mary in 1870. N. A. Bailey was received into the Methodist Episcopal Church at age nine, and was immersed at age 17 by Rev. Jackson Gunn, in July, 1850. He entered the membership of Liberty Baptist Church of Lawrence County, Alabama. and in 1853 was licensed to preach. He entered Union University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (A.B. in 1857). He was ordained in Murfreesboro on November 1857. Dr. J. M. Pendleton, the pastor, and Dr. J. H. Eaton took part in the ceremony. He married Ann B. Hester on January 18, 1858. Bailey became pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Lawrence County, Alabama, on January 1, 1858. A cough and cold led him to move to Florida where he became pastor at Monticello on January 1, 1860. Bailey also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston. He became president of the Houston Female College in Perry in 1863. He then became pastor in four churches in Georgia. They were Milledgeville, Albany, Dalton, and eventually Quitman, Georgia, where he served from 1876 to 1879. In 1882 Bailey was president of the Florida Baptist Ministers Conference. In 1882 Bailey was pastor of Citra Church in Citra. On July 7, 1897 he died while traveling in a sleeper car on the train.

Secondary Sources:
History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia with
Biographical Compendium, pp 16-17.
Florida Baptist Convention Annuals, (1881-1898).
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1882, p. 14; 1897, p. 11.

PRESTON BAILEY, JR.

Preston Bailey, Jr. served as pastor of Manhattan Baptist Church, Tampa 1992-2007. In 2007, Bailey began a church start called The Rock, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROY E. BAILEY

Roy E. Bailey served as pastor of Athena Baptist Church, Perry, 1960-1961.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WALTER EUGENE BAILEY

Walter Eugene Bailey (b. 1924; d. 2006) was born in Madison County and served as a bi-vocational pastor in Jefferson, Madison and Leon Counties.  By profession, Bailey was a house painter and, on the weekends, he served as a pastor-preacher.  During his 46-years of ministry, Rev. Bailey served the Elizabeth Church, Monticello; Ebenezer Church, Monticello; the Ebenezer and Capitola Baptist churches in Tallahassee; and Madison County churches at Mosley Hall and New Hopeful.  Rev. Bailey and his first wife, Erlene, had four sons: Darrell, Wayne, Michael, Stanley; and a daughter, Jettie.  Sons Darrell and Wayne responded to the call of God and were ordained into the gospel ministry.  Erlene Bailey died in 1984 and a year later Rev. Bailey married Ruth Demott Teasley who had four adult children.  After Bailey retired the couple became active members of the Elizabeth Church until his death in 2006.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Linda Gramling Demott, Elizabeth Baptist Church: The Story of a Pioneer Baptist Church on Mission, 1831 – 2023.

JOSEPH WOODROW BAILLIE

Joseph Woodrow Baillie (1919-1980) was born in Elfers, Florida. He served as pastor of Odessa Baptist Church; Westwood Baptist Church, Live Oak, 1958-1964; First Baptist Church, Hypoluxo; and First Baptist Church, Pahokee. Baillie and his wife, Lucille Hamilton Baillie had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BENNY BAKER

Bennie Baker (1950-2013) served as pastor of several Southern Baptist churches including First Baptist Church, LaBelle. Baker also served as Chaplin of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife Betty had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CLAYTON BAKER

Clayton Baker served as pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, Pensacola (1966-1987).

 Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOSEPH S. BAKER

Joseph S. Baker (August 17, 1798-July 23, 1877) was born in Liberty County, Georgia on August 17, 1798. He was one of the most remarkable ministers to ever serve Baptists in the state of Florida. He had a good education and inherited great wealth. He went to school at Yale College and graduated from Hampden Sidney in Virginia. In early life he was Presbyterian but became Baptist primarily over the issue of baptism. He was a pastor, missionary, land holder, medical doctor, theologian, author, editor, publisher, and evangelist. He was pastor in Virginia (Norfolk), Georgia (Columbus), and Florida (Jacksonville and Monticello). He was publisher and editor of the first newspaper in Atlanta (Atlanta Luminary) later called the Atlanta Intelligencer and also in 1843 had charge of the Georgia
Christian Index. He married Miss McRobert in Virginia and they had two sons. His wife died in 1840 in Columbus and both sons died before he did. He then married Sarah R. Bennett of Liberty County, Georgia in 1842. A trusting nature brought down a great loss of wealth but Baker was a beloved pastor, writer, and denomination servant.

Secondary Source:
History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia with Biographical Compendium. 1881. pp. 18-22
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1856, p. 14.

JOHN WHITFIELD BAKER

John Whitfield Baker served as pastor of Seminole Hill Baptist Church, Shady Grove Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

S. E. BAKER

S. E. Baker served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SAMUEL C. BAKER

Samuel C. Baker served as pastor of Yulee Baptist Church, 1947.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

STEPHEN JONES BAKER

Stephen Jones Baker was a native of London, England. He served as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1912-1915.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. E. BAKER

W. E. Baker served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Seabreeze (now Calvary Baptist Church), Daytona Beach.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. D. BALDWIN

B. D. Baldwin served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1940-1941.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

T. O. BALDWIN

T. O. Baldwin (1887-1981) was pastor of First Baptist Churches in Avon Park, Vero Beach, Chipley (1943-1950), and Hastings. He and his wife had three sons, Anthony, Thomas, and James.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, June 11, 1981, p. 6.
Joan P. Chance, First Baptist Church, Chipley, 1887-1987, p. 11.

VANITA MAY BALDWIN

Vanita May Baldwin (1926-2022) was born in Oak Hill, Florida, the daughter of Van Buren and Mary Mosby Baldwin. Vanita attended Stetson University (B.A., 1948), Duke University (1950) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1955). She received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Stetson in 1990. Vanita was a public school teacher in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and the Panama Canal Zone (1948-1953). She served in the Alabama Baptist WMU Organization (1955-1961), and was the WMU Director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico from 1961-1977. In 1977, Vanita became the director of the Florida Baptist Convention WMU and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1991. She also served as a trustee of the SBC WMU Foundation Board and was a trustee of the Florida Baptist Financial Services Board.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WESLEY J. BALDWIN

Wesley J. Baldwin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Southwestern Theological Seminary. He served churches in Tennessee and Texas before becoming pastor of Aloma Baptist Church in Winter Park in 2013. He and his wife Sarah have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, April 25, 2013, p. 4.

MILTON M. BALES

Milton M. Bales (1855-1944) was born in Somerford, Ohio, the son of Calvin Fenton and Julia Ann Rigdon Bales. He graduated from Northwestern University. Bales served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Homestead, 1916; First Baptist Church, Dade City, 1917-1918; College Street Baptist Church, Tampa, 1917; Concord Park Mission, Orlando (now College Park Baptist Church); First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale and First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs, 1930-1932. He had served pastorates in Chicago, New York, and Cleveland before moving to Florida. Bales and his wife, Stella E. Bales had one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. C. BALKOM

C. C. Balkom served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ARMAND BAER BALL, JR.

Armand Baer Ball, Jr. was born in Dubach, Louisiana, the son of Armand Baer and Lovera Sanderson Ball. He graduated from Louisiana College, 1951, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1953 and George Williams College, 1960. Ball served as Royal Ambassador director for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1953-1957, program director, Woodlawn Boys’ Club, Chicago, 1957-1958; camp/youth director, Young Men’s Christian Association, Nashville, 1958-1962; executive director, Young Men’s Christian Association Camps Widjiwagan/duNord, St. Paul Young Men’s Christian Association, 1962-1974; executive vice president, American Camping Association, Martinsville, Indiana, 1974-1988; consultant, since 1988; associate, Campaign Associations, Philadelphia, since 1989. He married Beverly Jane Hodges in 1957 and they had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT BALL

Robert Ball is a native of Green Cove Springs. He spent 20 years in the U. S. Navy. Ball has a B. S. degree in Electronic Engineering, M. A. and a M. Div. Ball has served as pastor of Oak Leaf Baptist Church in Black Creek association since its conception in 2000. He and his wife, Sherry, have two children, Meagan and Nathan.

Source:
“The Challenger”, Black Creek Baptist Association, Nov.-Dec. 2007, p. 3

H. H. BALLARD

H. H. Ballard was a pastor who died in Marion County in 1892.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1893, p. 103.

JAMES H. BALLARD

James H. Ballard (1934-2019) was born in Asheville, North Carolina, the son of Helen Brady Kale and Ralph Harold Ballard. He graduated from Mars Hill Junior College and spent the summer between freshman and sophomore years in Vancouver, Washington where he worked with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as a tentmaker.  The Tentmaker Program (named for the apostle Paul) allowed college students to work at vocational jobs during the week and serve in churches on weekends as Music Directors and Youth Pastors.  Ballard was Music Director for Minnehaha Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington.  He also graduated from Carson-Newman College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ballard served as pastor of churches in North Carolina and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Hialeah. He and his wife, Joanne Munn Ballard served as missionaries to South Brazil, 1965-1967. They had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN BALLARD

John Ballard served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1984-1985.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOE MAURICE BAMBERG

Joe Maurice Bamberg (July 13, 1915- ) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milton, Florida, from 1947-1980. He was well known and highly respected in all the Florida panhandle for his pastoral friendship and leadership. Bamberg was born in Brent, Alabama, and graduated from high school in 1932, college in 1936, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1945. He married Betty Ruth Larkins on August 27, 1943, at Clinton, North Carolina. Bamberg preached the Florida Baptist Convention sermon in 1972, and served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1972-1973.

Secondary Source:
Joe M. Bamberg. The History of First Baptist Church of Milton, Florida. p. 38.

F. H. BANCROFT

F. H. Bancroft served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Port St. Joe.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRANK BANCROFT

Frank Bancroft served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopcoppy.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. H. BANCROFT

J. H. Bancroft served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Port St. Joe.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. ALLISON BANKS

J. Allison Banks was a native of White Springs. Banks and his wife Mary Sue (1918-2004) a native of Lake City, were appointed missionaries by the International Mission Board in 1968. The Banks served in Israel, Austria, India and Yemen before retiring in 1975. They had two children; Suzanne and Brad.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 12, 2002.

C. R. BARBEE

C. R. Barbee served died on December 23, 1908. He had served as a pastor in the West Florida Baptist Association.

Secondary Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1909, p. 18.

C. W. BARBEE

C. W. Barbee served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1909.

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

BILLY TRUETT BARBER

Billy Truett Barber served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Tampa. He was a graduate of Weatherford Junior College, Baylor University, and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Barber came to Tampa in 1966, from the pastorate of First Baptist Church, Hobbs, New Mexico.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 15, 1966.
Florida Baptist Witness, November 20, 1980, p. 3.

E. J. BARBER

E. J. Barber served as pastor of El Bethel Baptist Church, Tampa and First Baptist Church, Sarasota.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 3, 1925, p.3.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ELROY BARBER

Elroy Barber (September 8, 1945-May 8, 2001) was a native of Mississippi. He helped start 29 congregations. He was the first African American to serve as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention (1999). He was pastor of Westside International Baptist Church in Hollywood, Florida, and New Creation Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale at the time of his death. He was a leader, church starter, and Kingdom builder. He and his wife, Paulette, had two sons, Terrence and Daryl.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 10, 2001.

I. L. BARBER

I. L. Barber served as pastor of Rock Sink Baptist Church, Old Town, 1938; Westwood Baptist Church, Live Oak, 1947-1950; and Athens Baptist Church, 1951.

Source:
Beulah Baptist Association minutes 1951.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES T. BARBER

James T. Barber (c 1913-November 7, 1983) attended Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville. He died of a stroke in Tampa on November 7, 1983. Barber served as pastor of Laccochee Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Madison, Immanuel Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Riverside Baptist Church, Fort Myers and for twenty years—up until his retirement—was pastor of North Main Street, Jacksonville (1960-1980). He and his wife, Frieda, had three daughters, Marjorie, LaRue, and Judy.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, November 17, 1983, p. 6.

JASPER BARBER

Jasper Barber served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clewiston.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society

RICHARD M. BARBER

Richard M. Barber (1926 – 2010) graduated from the University of Florida (1950, BA; 1962, M.Ed.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1955, B.D.). He married Dorothy Jean Matthews, and they had five children; Christopher, Richard Jr., Bruce, Chester, and Sherri. Barker served in the United States Marines in World War II (1944-1946) and in the Korean War (1951). He served as pastor in Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as pastor of seven Southern Baptist churches in Florida. He served Providence Village (1948-1950), Pine Mount (1948-1950), Spring Park (1955-1959), First Baptist Hawthorne (1959-1963), First Baptist McIntosh (1963-1965), Southside in Lake City and Oak-Griner in Ocala (1968-1971). Barker is best known for his faithful service and years as director of Southern Baptist Convention annuity work in Florida (1971-1991).

Secondary Source:
James Leland Luffman, A History of Oak-Griner Baptist Church,
pp. 128-129;
Florida Baptist Witness
, May 13, 2010, p.

O. BARFIELD

O. Barfield served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

OLIFF BARFIELD

Oliff Barfield served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone and Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEDIES BARGO

Ledies Bargo (1936-2011) was pastor of East Naples Baptist Church from 1963-1970.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

P. C. BARKLEY

P. C. Barkley served as pastor of Delray Beach Baptist Church, 1928, Southside Baptist Church, Lakeland, both in Florida and Cairo Baptist Church and Adel Baptist Church, 1929 both in Georgia.

Source:
1928 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 26.
Florida Baptist Witness, November 28, 1929, p. 4.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM Q. BARLETT

William Q. Bartlett was pastor of West Side in 1929, 1932, and 1933.

Source:
1929 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 31;
Ibid, 1932, p. 4;
Ibid, 1933, p. 5.

L. J. BARNARD

L. J. Barnard served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville and Emporia Baptist Church, Pierson.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. L. BARNES

C. L. Barnes served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge.

Source
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ED S. BARNES

Ed S. Barnes served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Meade.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, March, 18, 1926, p. 10.

HUBERT BARNES

Hubert Barnes served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Lake City, 1951; Midway Baptist Church, Plant City, 1966-1969 and Gapway Baptist Church, Lakeland.

Source:
Beulah Baptist Association minutes, 1951.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

IVEY BARNES

Ivey Barnes was an African-American evangelist who minister to newly-freed slaves in St. Augustine. Barnes traveled back and forth from his home in Jacksonville to lead church meetings in the home of Deacon John Newnan. These gatherings eventually led to the formation of a Sunday School by Hammie Williams. The success of the Sunday School led to the founding of St. Augustine’s First Baptist Church and due to his success among the city’s African-American Baptists, Barnes is called as the church’s first pastor.

Source:
Baptist History and Heritage, Civil War Baptists.

J. T. BARNES

J. T. Barnes served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1929.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. TOM BARNES

J. Tom Barnes served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LARRY BARNES

Larry Barnes served as pastor of Florosa Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEO BARNES

Leo Barnes (1917-) attended Baptist Bible Institute, Lakeland, Florida Southern College, Lakeland and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, NC. Barnes served as pastor of Central Baptist Church, Leesburg, Sunset Baptist Church, Clearwater, and First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie. He and his wife, Mary Totten Barnes had one son, Barry Lee. Barnes pastored churches in Florida for 30 years.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, April 11, 1963, p.12.

MARK BARNES

Mark Barnes graduated from the University of Mobile. He served as pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church, Orange Park and Yulee Baptist Church. Barnes and his wife Melissa have three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 12, 2012, p. 7.

WALTER  HENRY BARNES

Walter Henry Barnes (1880-1965) was born in North Carolina, the son of Warren and Susan Lamb Barnes. He served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills, Priscilla, Gilchrist County, Union Baptist Church, Alachua County, and First Baptist Church, LaBelle. Barnes and his wife Katie Mae Floyd Barnes (1886-1947) had ten children. After the death of Katie Mae Barnes married Hattie Belle Pettis.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

THOMAS J. BARNETT

Thomas J. Barnett (1882-1969) served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee 1939-1944 and Southside Baptist Church, Tallahassee. Barnett and his wife Mary S. Ward Barnett had three sons and five daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HENLEE BARNETTE

Henlee Barnette (1911-2004) was born in Taylorsville, NC. After graduating from Southern Seminary Barnette taught at Howard College (now Samford University); Stetson University; and Southern Seminary (1951-1977). He did his undergraduate work at Wake Forest. He served as pastor of San Mateo Baptist Church, 1950-1951. Barnette’s first wife Charlotte died in child birth. Later after he married Helen Porch Barnette who was one of his students at Southern Seminary. They had three sons and one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT BARR

Robert Barr served as pastor of Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

V. WARD BARR

V. Ward Barr graduated from Louisiana State University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Coral Gables Baptist Church and University Baptist Church in 1938.

Source:
1938 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 4.

JIM BARRENTINE

Jim Barrentine served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church (now Valley Road), Crestview and First Baptist Church, Bagdad.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. T. BARRETT

R. T. Barrett served as pastor of Oaklawn Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Homeland.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROLAND G. BARRINGTON

Roland G. Barrington served as pastor of Belmont Baptist Church, Tampa, and Pasadena Baptist Church, St. Petersburg. Barrington and his wife Louise had one son, James and one daughter, Judith.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RAY BARRON

Ray Barron served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1947-1949.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROY BARROW

Roy Barrow served as pastor of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Pensacola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. BARROW

W. A. Barrow was a Florida Baptist pastor who died in Madison in 1934.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1935, p. 7.

CHARLES FRANKLIN BARRY

Charles Franklin Barry (1902-   ) was born in Cleveland, OH. He graduated from the University of Louisville and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Barry served the Florida Baptist State Convention as secretary of the Sunday School Department, 1949-1970. He and his wife Margaret Louisa Yann Barry had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. W. BARTLETT

A. W. Bartlett served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fernandina.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN LYNN BARTLOW

John Lynn Bartlow (1917-2002) graduated from Murray State College in Murray, Kentucky (B.M.E., 1941), University of Kentucky (M.A., 1951), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.S.M., 1960). He taught music in secondary schools for fourteen years and three years at Ouachita Baptist College and William Carey College. He served as Minister of Music in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. Bartlow had over 50 years experience in the ministry. He was head of the music department for many years at Baptist Bible Institute. He led choirs, arranged music, taught classes, served churches and played many different musical instruments. Fellow citizens have said that Lynn Bartlow was the most remarkable man to ever live in Graceville, Florida. Lynn had polio from age five, but his being disabled never made him unable. Lynn and his wife Edith had one son (Bob) and two daughters (Lois and Carolyn).

Secondary Source:
Baptist College of Florida files.

E. A. BARTON

E. A. Barton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milton.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM J. BARTON

William J. Barton (1857-) was born at Canton, Georgia. Barton was pastor of Homestead Baptist Church in 1916.

Source:
1916 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 21.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BOB BARWICK

Bob Barwick attended Stetson University, Deland. He served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church, 1949-1954.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

THOMAS L. BARY

Thomas L. Bary (June 17, 1956 – ) was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of North Florida (B.A., 1978) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1982). He became pastor of Nepture Baptist Church in 1996. He and his wife, Karen Cruce Bary, have four children; Megan, Andrew, Katherine, and Emily.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MATT BASFORD

Matt Basford graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and has served as pastor in Alabama and Florida. In 2015 Basford became pastor of First Baptist Church, Bristol. He and his wife Jennifer have four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 7, 2015, p. 4.

J. LACY BASHAM

J. Lacy Basham served as pastor of First Baptist Church, High Springs. He and his wife, Zetta Mae Basham, had five children. Source

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BILLY BASKIN

Billy Baskin was serving as pastor of New Way Fellowship in Miami in 1980. He is married to Catherine P. Baskin.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 28, 1980, p. 12.

HOLLIS BASS

Hollis Bass served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bunnell (1976-1980),
and went as pastor of Kathleen Church, Kathleen in 1980.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 29, 1980, p. 6.

H. C. BASWAITH

H. C. Baswaith served as pastor of Lucerne Park Baptist Church, Orlando.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT J. BATEMAN

Robert J. Bateman (1859-1912) was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. Bateman was the founding pastor of Central City Mission in Jacksonville, Florida. On his return trip from England aboard the Titanic in 1912, Bateman perished when the ship sank after striking an iceberg. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1912, p. 93.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RAY H. BATEMON

Ray H. Batemon (1933-2012) was born in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda and Westside Baptist Church, Gainesville, 1975-1980. Batemon and his wife, Beverly Batemon, had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CARL E. BATES

Carl E. Bates (September 5, 1914-December 21, 1999) was born on a farm in Amite County, outside of Liberty, Mississippi, on September 5, 1914. Though raised in the Christian home of R. E. Bates, Bates was not converted and baptized until he was in college, at nineteen years of age, at the First Baptist Church of Summit, Mississippi. After attending Southwest Mississippi Junior College in Summitt, Bates surrendered to the gospel ministry and transferred to Mississippi College in Clinton. He received a graduate degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. While attending Southern, Bates pastored Central Baptist Church in Winchester, Kentucky. On November 15, 1939 he married Myra Mae Gray of Tupelo, Mississippi. Bates served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Leesburg, Florida (1943). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas (1950-1959), and First Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bates served as president
of the Texas Baptist Convention, North Carolina Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention (1971-1972). From 1976 to 1978 his wife, Myra, served as a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, making them the only husband and wife combination ever to serve as Southern Baptist officers. In 1980 he became senior professor of pastoral ministries  and preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and retired from there in 1985, but continued to preach until he was well into his seventies.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, April 6, 1944; October 16, 1980, p. 8
Emir and Ergun Caner. The Sacred Trust, pp 141-144.

FLEMING BATES

Fleming Bates (1771-1840) died in Newnansville, Alachua County, Florida, on February 4, 1840, at 69 years of age. Bates served as a private in the Seminole Indian War. Bates married, and his wife Margaret Bates, died in 1841 at 72 years of age. They had two sons who survived them into adulthood. Their names were James M. Bates and Wilson Bates. Bates came to Florida from the Sardis Church in southeast Georgia. He assisted in organizing the Pigeon Creek Church in 1821, and became its first pastor. He was a noted Primitive Baptist preacher, and served as a minister 38 years before his death. He lived in Warren County, Georgia, in 1820, and moved to Lownes County, Georgia, in 1826 or 1827. In the 1830s he moved to Alachua County, Florida. Bates was an anti-missionary preacher in the closing days of his ministry. Fleming Bates was one of the first 100 Baptist preachers who served in Florida.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files
Earl Joiner, A History of Florida Baptists, p. 22.

M. TODD BATES

M. Todd Bates served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Winter Garden.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SOLON BATES

Solon Bates (1895-1938) was born in Arcadia, Florida. He was ordained in 1932 by the Aripeka Baptist Church where he served as pastor. Bates was serving as pastor of West Hillsborough Baptist Church when he died. He also served as pastor of North Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. Bates and his wife Sallie Bates had two sons and one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HENRY W. BATTLE

Henry W. Battle served as pastor of Main St. Baptist Church, Leesburg.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LESLIE L. BATTS

Leslie L. Batts (1902-1999) was the son of Amos James and Mary E. Crosby Batts. He graduated from Norman Park College, Mercer University and the University of Florida. Batts pastored churches in Georgia and Marion County, Florida including Oakcrest Baptist Church and Fort McCoy Baptist Church. He and his wife, Georgia Millidge Williams Batts, had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EARL BAUGHMAN

Earl Baughman attended Stetson University. He served as pastor of Holopaw Baptist Chapel; Paradise Heights Baptist Church, Apopka; Immanuel Baptist Church, Tallahassee; Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 1975-1978 and Ridgeview Baptist Church, Gainesville. Baughman married Carol Anne Dawkins in 1962.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WARNER CECIL BAUGHMAN

Warner Cecil Baughman (1931-1986) was the son of Warner Cecil and Lavonia Florala Larkins Baughman. He and his wife, Edna, were killed in a tragic automobile wreck in October 1986. Baughman had served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento, Calvary Baptist Church, Milton, Barton Shore Baptist Church, Orlando and churches in North Carolina. Their son Warner Cecil Baughman Jr., age 26, survived them.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 16, 1986, p. 12.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUGENE BAXLEY

Eugene Baxley (1929-2002) was the son of Ralph and Dora Baxley. He attended Stetson University and was graduate of Baptist Bible Institute and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Baxley served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, Flomich Baptist Church, Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Holly Hill, Island Baptist Church, Anna Maria Island, 1950-1951 and Glendale Baptist Church, Vero Beach. He and his wife Bonnie Jean Word Baxley had three children; Patricia, Dennis, and Kenneth.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, March 28, 2002, p. 9.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HAROLD BAXLEY

Harold Baxley served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LARRY BAZOR

Larry Bazor served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Melbourne for 25 years. He and his wife, Gayle, have three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

KEN BEACHER

Ken Beacher served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, 1982-1983.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

E. C. BEAIRD

E. C. Beaird served as pastor of East Naples Baptist Church from 1956-1963.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ART BEAL

Art Beal served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1966.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES HUGH BEAL

Charles Hugh Beal (1927-2013) was born in Atlanta, Georgia to John and Ida Kate Beal. Beal graduated from Columbia Bible College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky. He pastored churches in Georgia, Indiana and Florida. Beal served as pastor of Bay Haven Baptist Church, Sarasota, 32 years. He and his wife, Winona had two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES ROCKWOOD BEAL

Charles Rockwood Beal (1900-) was born in Pensacola, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Richard Rockwood Beal. He attended Stetson and was the first president of the statewide Baptist Student Union. Beal married Agnes Velma Diamond on June 25, 1930. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jay, Cora Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, Oak Grove and Olive in Escambia County, Florida and First Baptist Church, Flomation and Moyeville in Escambia, Alabama. Beal was a licensed plumber and tool maker. A rather singular thought is that he was a loving husband and father and wrote his daughter everyday that she was away in college.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files, Judith Jolly Research.

RICHARD ROCKWOOD BEAL

Richard Rockwood Beal was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1877. He was the son of Charles Wesley and Annette Rockwood Beal. His father was a mechanic and his mother was a housewife. Beal had one brother, Harley Wesley Beal and one sister, Persis Elva Beal Matson. Beal was raised at Genoa, Ohio (1883-1886) and Pensacola, Florida (1886-1894). He was converted in 1907 and baptized at Union Hill Church in West Pensacola. Richard was ordained at Myrtle Grove and served as pastor at Brent Baptist Church, Brent, Florida (1912-1919), West Hill in Pensacola (1912), Ray’s Chapel (McDavid, Florida); Pleasant Grove, in Pensacola; Gonzalez in Pensacola; Olive in Ferry Pass, Florida; Whitfield Memorial in Pensacola; and at Hampton in Kentucky (1919-1920). Beal was associational missionary in West Kentucky Association from 1920-1925. Richard married Sarah C. Beal on December 24, 1896, at Pensacola. They had eight children; Clara Mildred Beal Young (October 31, 1897), Charles Rockwood (March 3, 1900), Arthur Byron (August 1, 1901), Susie Annette Beal Erickler (June 19, 1904), Elva Catherine Beal Brooks (October 13, 1906), Wendell Kenneth (November 16, 1909), Temuel Emmette (December 3, 1911), and Minnie Lois Beal Parker (May 19, 1915).

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files, Judith Jolly Research.

DELTON BEALL

Delton Beall served as director of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief 2013-2021. After retiring in 2021 Beall and his wife Jeanie plan to remain in the Panama City area and work as volunteers for the FBDR.

Source:
floridabaptist.org, March 11, 2021.

E. H. S. BEALL

E. H. S. Beall (1886-1973) was the son of Noble Newnan and Eliza Caroline Brown Beall. He attended Whitesburg College, Whitesburg, Georgia. Beall served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Cottondale, Altha Missionary Baptist, 1940, and First Baptist Church, Magnolia. 1927. Beall was preceded in death by his first wife, Ella Lee Hobbs Beall (1894-1939) and two children. He was survived by his second wife, Echo Club Cain Beall (1918-2006) and four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRANKLIN BEAM

Franklin Beam (1956-   ) was born in Raleigh, NC. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, Memphis State University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bean served as a missionary of the Home Mission Board’s Church Starting Department in Miami, Florida as a church starting consultant. Beam and his wife Susan Kay Stephens Beam have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. M. BEAN

B. M. Bean (1846-1911) was the first superintendent of the Florida Baptist Orphanage (1903-1911). He served as pastor at First Baptist churches in Live Oak and High Springs before becoming the head of the new work at Acadia in 1903. The first child to enter the Orphanage was accepted on February 1, 1904. The Home was never in debt in the Bean administration. Bean helped to develop many of the basic philosophies (accountability, good community relations, denominational net working, open house) that are now used in Florida Baptist children service ministry. Bean also pastored First Baptist Church, High Springs.

Secondary Source:
Peace River Associational Minutes, 1912, p. 38.
Earl Joiner. Florida Baptist Children s Home, pp. 21-33. Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JENNIE BEAN

Jennie Bean (1856-1931) was an educator, writer, temperance worker, WMU promoter and matron of the Florida Baptist Orphanage when her husband, B. M. Bean was the director (1903-1911). Known affectionately as Mother Bean she served as cook, teacher, administrator, and helper at the children’s home. She was president of the Florida Woman’s Missionary Union in 1904-1905.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

OSCAR BEAN


Oscar Bean (1904-1992) was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. He served the Florida Baptist Convention for 18 years. He was business manager and personnel director from 1952 until 1958, and then became the assistant executive director from 1958 to 1970. His primary contribution to Florida Baptists was his business expertise. The Baptist building in Jacksonville and Lake Yale Assembly were built primarily by his financial plan. He and his wife, Nadeen, had one daughter, Mrs. James E. Geer of Jacksonville.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 27, 1992, p. 5.

SPENCER F. BEARD

Spencer F. Beard (1899-1974) was pastor of Pahokee Baptist Church from 1937-1941 and Heilbron Baptist Church, 1956. He and his wife Cora B. Beard had three sons and one daughter.

Source:
1937 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 4,
1983 Big Lake Baptist Association Minutes, p. 24-A.

COBA BEASLEY

Coba Beasley (November 10, 1958- ) was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He was saved at age 16 at the Macon Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta. He attended Tennessee Temple University (B.A., M.Div.) and earned a M.B.A. from Phoenix University. Beasley worked on the staff of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Miami before going as pastor of Maple Grove Baptist Church (1990-2003). He became Director of Missions of the Chipola Baptist Association in 2003. Beasley and his wife, Becky, have two children; Rachel and Jacob.

Secondary Source:
Chipola Baptist News, Vol. 5., No. 7.

ISOM BEASLEY

Isom Beasley served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES BEASLEY

James Beasley served as pastor of South Ebenezer Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GARY BEATTY

Gary Beatty serves as pastor of First Baptist Church, Boca Grande. His wife is Betty Beatty.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIE BEATY

Willie Beaty served as associate director for youth and Vacation Bible School of the Florida Baptist Convention, 1974-1982. He is a graduate of Carson Newman College, Jefferson City and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley. Beaty and his wife Thomasine Paxton have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

DAVID E. BEAUCHAMP

David E. Beauchamp was born in Lakehurst, New Jersey. He graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Beauchamp served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, St. Augustine and Crescent Beach Baptist Church, St. Augustine. He and his wife Sandy Gardner Beauchamp have one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RALPH E. BEAZLEY

Ralph E. Beazley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. O. BEAUCHAMP

W. O. Beauchamp (1940-2000) was a Baptist layman, and a Levy County Circuit Judge at the time of his death. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Chiefland, and had served as chairman of the deacons in that church. He took stands for public righteousness. He and his wife, Karen, had three sons, Brett, Blair, and Barry.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 17, 2000.

A. I. BECK

A. I. Beck served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sarasota.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JON BECK

Jon Beck graduated from the Baptist College of Florida and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor in Indiana and Georgia before becoming pastor of First Baptist Church, Avon Park in 2010. He and his wife Sharon have three children.

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

JOHN D. BECK

John D. Beck served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pensacola from 1865-1871.

Secondary Source:
Toni Moore Clevenger. On the Bay On the Hill, pp. 64-65.

PAUL BECK

Paul Beck served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milligan.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT A. BECKMAN

Robert A. Beckman (1966-   ) was born in Lake Park, FL. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 1990, by the Lake Park Baptist Church. Beckman graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth. He served as pastor of Go Church, Lakeland, 2006-2012 and field missionary, English-Speaking Church Planting Team for the Florida Baptist Convention from 2012 to the present. Beckman is married to Juli Anne Lyles Beckman and they have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. W. BECKS

B. W. Becks was born in Putnam County, Florida, near Francis, and entered the ministry when about eighteen years of age. He was a farmer and a cooper. He had little formal schooling but did great missionary work in the St. Johns River Association. Becks served as pastor of Peniel Baptist Church, Palatka (1867), Paran Baptist Church, Grandin, (1880-1882); First Baptist Church, Barberville, formerly Spring Grove (1881); Osceola Baptist Church, and Picolata. Becks and his wife Esther had nine children. He suffered for many years with rheumatism and was confined to his bed for ten years before he died. He died in 1905 after serving more than 50 years as pastor of churches in Florida. .

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1906, p. 91.

GEORGE BECVAR

George Becvar (1920-2006) was born in New Britain, CT. He was ordained to the ministry in July, 1956. Becvar served as pastor in Tennessee and Florida, including Yulee Baptist Church. He was married to Marian R. Becvar.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ADOLPH BEDSOLE

Adolph Bedsole (1914-2004) was born on June 16, 1914, in Geneva County, Alabama. He graduated from Slocomb High School in 1932 and Howard College in 1937. Bedsole became pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Panama City and served there from 1942-1978, when he became pastor emeritus. He was the author of five books on the pastoral ministry published by Baker Book House. Bedsole and his wife, Lillie, were married nearly 70 years and had three daughters; Norma Jean, Angeline, and Wanda.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WALTER S. BEEBE

Walter S. Beebe (1934-2002) was born in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Bob Jones University and Hyles Anderson College. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ruskin. Beebe was known as “Mr. Bus” for his leadership in starting bus ministries in the churches he served. He and his wife, Winnie Prairie Beebe had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GARY BEEHLER

Gary Beehler served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hernando and Victory Baptist Church, Inverness.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES U. BEGGS

Charles U. Beggs served as pastor of Grant Park Baptist Church, Tampa, 1939.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

STEVE BELCHER

Steve Belcher served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUDORUS NEANDER BELL

Eudorus Neander Bell (1866-1923) graduated from Stetson University (B.A.); Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville Div. and the University of Chicago. Bell pastored Baptist congregations for 17 years in America’s South and Southwest, including First Baptist Church, DeLand.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE W. BELL

George W. Bell served as pastor of Sharon Baptist Church, (now First Baptist Church, Callahan).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOE BELL

Joe Bell served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEANDER BELL

Leander Bell served as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT E. BELL

Robert E. Bell (1842-1887) was born in London, England. He was reared in the Catholic faith and educated for the priesthood. Bell served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Dade City, Westside Baptist Church, Elfers, Union Church, Bethany Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Emmaus Baptist Church, Macon Baptist Church, and Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville. He served in the Florida legislature in addition to his pastoral duties. Bell and his wife Christian Ann Hope Bell had three children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1888, p. 34.
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1875, p. 10.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

T. J. BELL

T. J. Bell (1839-1913) served for 30 years as a Baptist pastor in Florida. He served once at Kissimmee. Bell was pastor of First Baptist Church, Winter
Garden, 1895-1897, First Baptist Church, Barberville in 1907 and First Baptist Church, Conway. He and his wife had been married 51 years at the time of his death.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 6, 1913, p. 14.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. BELL

W. A. Bell served as pastor of Aripeka Baptist Church, He married Lillie Hayman in 1931.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. DOYLE BELL

W. Doyle Bell (1947-) graduated from Florida State University (1978, B. A.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1980, M. Div.). He has served at Shady Sea Baptist Church, Crawfordville, Clayland Baptist Church, Live Oak, University Heights Baptist Church (aka Northwoods), and Fellowship Baptist Church, Tallahassee. Bell married his wife Susan in 1971 and they have a son Nathan.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM BELL

William Bell served as pastor of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Palatka (1871-1889).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM DANIEL BELL

William Daniel Bell (1859-1902) was born in Jackson County, Florida. He was ordained May 24, 1891. He was a farmer and preacher. He served as pastor of East Bay Baptist Church in Santa Rosa County (1898-1901) and also served as pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He married Catherine Elderann Gomillion and they had four children: John, Ella Jane, William Owen and Henry Chester.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. E. BELLE

R. E. Belle served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Elfers.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM D. BEMENT

William D. Bement was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was ordained by Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine. Bement graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. He served as pastor of Midway Baptist Church, Lee, 1973-1975; First Baptist Church, Fruitland Park, 1975-1978; First Baptist Church, Lacoochee, 1978-1980; Ballast Point Baptist Church, Tampa, 1980-1982; Whitecastle Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1983-1985; and St. Johns Baptist Church, Palatka. Bement and his wife Linda have three children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 24, 1980, p. 6.

J. B. BENEFIELD

J. B. Benefield served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Perry, Taylor County, 1966.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEROY BENEFIELD

Leroy Benefield (1926-April 12, 1999) was born in Caney, Oklahoma. He graduated from Caney High School (1947), Oklahoma State University (B.S., 1950), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1957; Th.M., 1964, and Th.D., 1970). Benefield was licensed to preach in 1953 and ordained in 1954 at the First Baptist Church, Raltan, Oklahoma. He married Nima Lou Mason of Carey, Oklahoma, and they had four children (Deborah in 1950, David in 1952, and twins Lane and Laura in 1967). Benefield was pastor of First Baptist Church, Raltan, Oklahoma (1957-1958) and he and his wife Boots served with the Foreign Mission Board in the Philippines from 1958-1970. Leroy taught vocational agriculture at Raltan High School, and taught Evangelism and Missions at the Baptist Bible Institute from 1970-1991. He served in the United States Army infantry from 1945-1946. Benefield saw himself as a revivalist. he had hundreds of revival meetings and was greatly beloved as professor, preacher, and friend.

Secondary Source:
Baptist College of Florida files.

A. M. BENNETT

A. M. Bennett served as pastor of , First Baptist Church, Lake City, A.M. Bennett Memorial Baptist Church and Palm Avenue Baptist Church, both in Tampa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. NORMAN BENNETT

C. Norman Bennett graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Bennett served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Zephyrhills; Calvary Baptist Church, Daytona Beach and First Baptist Church, Orange CityHe and his wife Ruth had two daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CODY E. BENNETT

Cody E. Bennett served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE BENNETT

George Bennett served as pastor of Buckhead Ridge Baptist Church from 1976-1977.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GORDON BENNETT

Gordon Bennett served as pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

H. C. BENNETT

H. C. Bennett served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Macclenny, 1914-1916.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HAROLD CLARK BENNETT

Harold Clark Bennett (July 30, 1924-July 27, 2003) was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He attended school at Wake Forest College (B.A.), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D.), and received an honorary doctorate from Stetson University in 1968. Bennett served as a Navy pilot in World War II and prior to that worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). in Washington, D.C. He served as pastor of Glen Royal Baptist Church in Wake Forest (1948-1951); Chaplain, Kentucky State Reformatory, LaGrange, Kentucky (1951-1953); assistant pastor at First Baptist Church, Shrevesport, Louisiana (1953-1955); pastor, Beech Street Baptist Church, Texarkana, Arkansas (1955-1960); Superintendent of New Work, Baptist Sunday School Board (1960-1962); Secretary, Department of Metropolitan Missions, Home Mission Board (1962-1965); Director of the Missions Division, Texas Baptist Convention (1967-1967); and Executive Secretary-Treasurer of The Florida Baptist Convention (1967-1978). Bennett left Florida to become the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Bennett married Phyllis Jean Metz of Joliet, Illinois, and they had three children; Jeffrey in 1949, John in 1955, and Cynthia in 1956.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, July 31, 2003, pp. 1, 10.

JIMMIE SAM BENNETT

Jimmie Sam Bennett (1909-1988) a native of Georgia moved to Sarasota in 1938. In 1950 he entered the ministry, and was pastor of Mt. Calvary, Fruitville and Mt. Zion in Laurel. He served as pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church,Sarasota for 34 years. In 1970 Mt. Calvary officially became a mission of First Baptist Church, Sarasota. This marked the first time in the Florida Baptist Convention that a predominately White church sponsored a Black mission.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 19, 1988, p. 4.

NATHAN J. BENNETT

Nathan J. Bennett (1895-1963) was born in Brandon. Bennett served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum, (1936-1938), Mt. Olive, Orient Park, Double Branch, Riverview, Thonotosassa, Sunset Point, Westside Baptist Church, Zephyhills, 1955, and First Baptist Church, St. Catherine.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. BENNETT

In 1877 R. Bennett was pastor of Special Providence Baptist Church in Taylor County.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Associational Minutes, 1877, p. 15.

W. B. BENNETT

W. B. Bennett served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WALTER A. BENNETT

Walter A. Bennett served as pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Lakeland, and also served in the Church Administration Department of the Sunday School Board. He is best known in Florida for his faithful and effective service with the Florida Baptist Convention pastoral ministries division.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 15, 1980, p. 11.

J. B. BENNIEFIELD

J. B. Benniefield served as pastor of Hatch Bend Baptist Church, Branford.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRANK BENTLEY

Frank Bentley (1864-1932) was born at Sidney, Iowa to L. Bentley and Ann Ross Bentley. Bentley moved to Tampa in 1891 where he began his career in the wholesale grocery business. Bentley served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1917 and 1918 making him the third layman to serve in this role. Bentley and his wife Nettie had two children; Hugh and Frank, Jr. They were members of First Baptist Church, Tampa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WOODROW BENTON

Woodrow Benton (1940-2004) was born in Monroe, LA, the son of Woodrow W. and Margaret Emerson Benton. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the U. S. Air Force. Benton served as pastor of the Refuge Baptist Church, Sebring. He was married to Mary E. Benton.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MERLIN BERKEY

Merlin Berkey is a graduate of Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He has served 22 years as a pastor and has been a Christian counselor since 1988. Berkey and his wife, June, are now serving at First Baptist Church, Oakland Park where he is pastor.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 29, 2004, p. 11.

MILLARD BERQUIST

Millard Berquist (1902-1990) was born in Kansas City. He served as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Jacksonville and First Baptist Church in Tampa
from 1947 to 1957. Berquist was a graduate of William Jewell, Stetson University, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as the first president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served there for 15 years from 1957 to 1972. After retirement he served as interim pastor in Missouri and Florida. Berquist served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1950.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. F. BERRY

B. F. Berry served as pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. L. BERRY

C. L. Berry served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston and Midway Baptist Church, Plant City (1934).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EARL C. BERRY

Earl C. Berry (1923-2020) was born in Flat River, MO. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Berry served as director of Camps and Assemblies for the Florida Baptist State Convention, 1976-1990. He and his wife Marie Propst Berry had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. C. BERRY

L. C. Berry served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LOUIS BERRY

Louis Berry served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Lake City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

D. C. BETHEA

D. C. Bethea (1858-1932) was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in the Peace River Association. Bethea was the son of Rev. Hugh Bethea. His wife was Sophie Whidden Bethea.

Secondary Source:
Peace River Associational Minutes, 1932.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HUGH BETHEA

Hugh Bethea (1829-1887) was born in Alabama, the son of Rev. Goodman and Charlotte A. Grice Bethea. He served as pastor of Cross Prairie Baptist Church and Rock Hill Baptist Church, both of Pop Ash. Bethea and his wife Celiann Still Bethea had 10 children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

T. J. BETTS

T. J. Betts served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. D. BEVIS

R. D. Bevis attended Columbia College, Lake City and the University of Florida. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Micanopy, Fairbanks, and Paran Baptist Church, Grandin.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM F. BIBB, JR.

William F. Bibb, Jr. (    -2022) served as pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Live Oak, 1971-1973; and Plainview Baptist Church, Pensacola. He and his wife, Jane Bibb had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK L. BILBO

Jack L. Bilbo (1921-1999) was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Bilbo attended Mississippi college and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the First Baptist Church, Marianna. Bilbo served churches in Mississippi, Maryland and Florida. He served in the military in World War II. He served as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Marianna and Bellview Baptist Church in Pensacola for 23 years after which he retired. He and his wife Mary Bennett Bilbo were married for 55 years and had two daughters, Ruth and Deborah.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Leitch, Christ Centered Century, pp. 17, 19.

TOM BILES

Tom Biles graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Director of Missions for the Tampa Bay Baptist Association, 1993-2012. Biles and his wife, Nanel Biles, have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE C. BILLINGS

George C. Billings was a native of Toronto, Canada. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and then served as a missionary in West Indies. Billings served as pastor of churches in Canada and Florida, including Idlewild Baptist Church. He and his wife became United States citizens in 1975.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BILL F. BILLINGSLEY

Bill F. Billingsley (1934-1998) was a pastor and denominational servant with a missionary heart. He served as pastor of Belvadere Baptist Church
and Northwood Baptist Church in West Palm Beach. In 1963 he became the first pastor of Sheridan Hills Baptist Church in Hollywood. He served the church as pastor for 35 years until the time of his death. Billingsley led his congregation to start 54 mission churches in the Gulf Stream Baptist Association. He led the church to start a community Christian counseling center, Sheridan House Family Ministries, a Christian school, and a crisis pregnancy care facility. He also served in many denominational roles and was president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1988-1989. Billingsley died August 21, 1998, at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, and three grown children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist State Convention Annual, 1998, p. 8.

C. CLYDE BILLINGSLEY

C. Clyde Billingsley (1941- ) served as evangelism director of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1985 to 1989. He had served for many years in pioneer mission work, and left Florida to become the executive-director of the Utah-Idaho state convention.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 11, 1989, p. 3.

RICHARD H. BILLS

Richard H. Bills (1917-2010) was honored at the Bowe Gardens Church in Melbourne upon his 40th anniversary in the preaching ministry on
December 3, 1980. Bills served as pastor in other states before coming to Florida, where he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Plant City and Central Baptist Church in Titusville. Bills served 16 years as chaplain at South Florida Baptist Hospital.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 31, 1980, p. 6.
Plant City Courier and Tribune
, January 1, 2011.

J. N. BINFORD

J. N. Binford served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Haines City. He died in 1956.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 11, 1956, p. 12.

DOUGLAS BIRGE

Douglas Birge (1923-2003) was born in Holmes County, FL. He served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge. He and his wife had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LADISLAU BIRO

Ladislau Biro (1907-2009) was born in Nagyvarad, Hungary. He graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Biro served as pastor of University Baptist Church, Coral Gables Church in 1942-1950. Biro served as pastor of the Coral Gables Baptist Church (1951-1969) and Bethesda Baptist Church, Palm Bay (1971-1989). He and his wife, Katalin, have four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHRISTOPHER BISHOP

Christopher Bishop graduated from the Baptist College of Florida. He serves as pastor of the Harmony Mission, Wauchula.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOE BISHOP

Joe Bishop served as pastor of Treasure Island Baptist Church, Okeechobee.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society

JOSH BISHOP

Josh Bishop serves as pastor of Faith Covenant Church, Daytona Beach. His wife is Sarah Bishop.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

P. B. BISHOP

P. B. Bishop served as pastor of San Mateo First Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PUTNAM PETER BISHOP

Putnam Peter Bishop (1893-1896) was born in Pantan, VT. He moved to Jacksonville in 1870 and served as a missionary for the American Baptist Home Missionary Society and established the first school in Florida for black preachers and teachers. Bishop and his brother Jesse organized the brand of Bishop, Hoyt & Company with Judge James H. Hoyt and his holdings at Citra, San Mateo, and Lake Panasoffkee soon became the largest in the state of Florida. In 1876 he was elected to the State Legislature. He is also credited as the father of the Pineapple orange. Bishop served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville from 1867-1868 and First Baptist Church, Ocala. He and his wife, Sophia Mary Lathrop Bishop had one daughter. Dr. Bishop served two terms-1870 and 1871-as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Secondary Source:
Belton S. Wall, Jr.,  A Tale To Be Told, pp. 102-104.
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1875, p. 9.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM FRANK BISHOP

William Frank Bishop lived in Tampa 42 years before his death on March 27, 1963. He was ordained in 1937, and served State Highway, West Hillsborough, Southside of Bradenton, and Belmont Heights (1945-1963). Bishop and his wife, Jessie, had one son William Jr., and a daughter, Dorene.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, April 11, 1963, p. 12.

CHARLES D. BLACK

Charles D. Black served as pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church, Maxville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CLANTON C. BLACK

Clanton C. Black (1902-1956) was a native of Alabama. He attended school at the University of Alabama and Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland, Florida. Black served as pastor at Ft. White, Flemington, LaCrosse, Antioch, Mt. Pleasant, and Pine. Black had an active preaching ministry in Marion, St. Johns, Santa Fe, New River, and Suwannee Associations. Black married Cora W. Black. They had two daughters; Ann and Mrs. W. H. Anderson, and two sons; Oliver and Clanton Jr.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 17, 1956, p. 12.

DAVIS ALEXANDER BLACK, SR.

Davis Alexander Black, Sr. served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, 1967-1980 and Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale. Black and his wife Marie had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. E. BLACK

J. E. Black served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms and Liberty Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. R. BLACK

J. R. Black served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Avondale, 1939.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES BLACK

James Black served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN BLACK

John Black served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1899-1902.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN GORDON BLACK

John Gordon Black (1877-1914) was born in Beaufort, SC. In 1893, at age fifteen Black was licensed to preach by the old Altamaha Baptist Church, Jessup, GA. In 1899, he was ordained as a minister in the First Baptist Church, Deland. Black’s first pastorate was Green Cove Springs (1899-1907). Black also pastored Indianola Baptist Church (1900-1903); First Baptist Church, Eau Galle (1900-1901), LaGrange Baptist Church (1901-1903); Fort Pierce Baptist Church (1901); Titusville Baptist Church (1902-1903); and Oviedo Baptist Church (1905-1907). From 1910 to 1913 Black held pastorates at Panama City, Cottondale and Carrabelle.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LINDSEY BLACKLEDGE

Lindsey Blackledge served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES E. BLACKMON

Charles E. Blackmon (Eddie) (1956-    ) was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from Stetson University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Blackmon served as associate director of the Florida Baptist Men’s Department, 1999-2006 and associate director of Disaster Relief Ministries, 2006-2010 for the Florida Baptist State Convention. He and his wife Vicki Roberts married in 1974.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRANK D. BLACKMON

Frank D. Blackmon (1927-1964) served as pastor of churches in Georgia. He was pastor of Fellowship Church in Tampa at the time of his death. He died at age 37 in Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, due to complication in heart surgery.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 6, 1964, p. 12.

R. J. BLACKMON

R. J. Blackmon served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church and Ferndale Baptist Church, Apopka, 1933-1934, 1940.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

N. B. BLACKSHIRE

N. B. Blackshire served as pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Bonifay and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files. files.

CORA HANCOCK BLAIR

Cora Hancock Blair was born in 1890 at Kathleen in Polk County, Florida. She was the daughter of Shade Judson Hancock and Laura Pauline Wilder Hancock. Her father was a cattleman-farmer and her mother was a housewife. Cora had two brothers, Paul Wilder and Judson Norris, and one sister Ruby Estelle Hancock Wilder. Cora graduated in 1910 at Columbia College in Lake City. She attended Normal School in Dade City and received a certificate to teach. She attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and received her B.M.T. degree in 1915. Cora married Martin Stowe Blair on September 20, 1916. They had two children, W. Judson (born December 25, 1919) and Martin Stone Blair, Jr. (born December 24, 1926). Cora was converted at age 13, and served as a foreign missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention in Cordoba, Rosario, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1919-1954. Son William Judson served as a foreign missionary in Argentina and son Martin, Jr., was a business man in Springfield, Missouri.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

IRA BLAIR

Ira Blair served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1955-1958.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RAYBURN BLAIR

Rayburn Blair was the founding pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Tallahassee, (now North Florida Baptist Church) serving from 1963 to 1991. Blair and his wife, Bette Ashcraft Blair had six children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HAROLD KEITH BLAKLEY

Harold Keith Blakley ((1952-1999) was born in Fort Worth, TX.  He graduated from the University of Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Blakley was a former missionary to South Africa, and served as director of Miami Baptist Campus Ministry for the Florida Baptist State Convention, 1990-1992. While serving as pastor of Central Baptist Church, Miami, Blakley was shot and killed in his home. He and his wife Theresa Lynn Anderson Blakley had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. W. BLAKEWOOD

B. W. Blakewood died in 1890 after serving many years as a faithful Baptist preacher.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1891, p. 50.

CLARENCE BLALOCK

Clarence Blalock graduated from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of McDowell Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, 2004-2014. He is married to Doris Blalock.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 26, 2004, p. 13.

HERSCHEL BLALOCK

Herschel Blalock (1929-2012) was born in Clanton, AL. He was the son of Charlie E. and Pearl Little Blalock. Blalock was pastor of 13 Baptist Churches in Chilton, Autauga, Etowah and Limestone Counties in Alabama and two Baptist Churches in Florida for a service career that spanned over 50 years. Blalock and his wife Lois Wilson Blalock had two daughters and one son.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RUSSELL BLANK

Russell Blank served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wabasso.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. M. BLANKENSHIP

J. M. Blankenship served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone, (1923-1927).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM H. BLEDSOE

William H. Bledsoe (1929-2004) was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War. He was a fulltime minister for 25 years and served as pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church, (now Polk City Baptist Church) and Midway Baptist Church, Plant City, (1963-1965). Bledsoe and his wife Della Elva had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES L. JIM BLEVINS

James L. Jim Blevins (1941-2021) was born in Racel, West Virginia, the son of Louis and Lona Blevins. He served as pastor of Florahome Baptist Church, 1974-1976 and Eden Baptist Church, Hawthorne for forty years. Blevins and his wife Lois Blevins had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. E. BLEWETT

J. E. Blewett served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1948.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM J. BLEWETT

William J. Blewett (1812-1873) was born March 12, 1812, in Anson County, North Carolina. He moved to Decatur County, Georgia in 1833 and in April 1834, was baptized into the Richland Creek Church by Elder A. Belcher. He was licensed to preach by the Richland Creek Church in 1835, and at the request of the Cotton Hill Church of Randolph County, he was ordained. Blewett had influence in Florida in his life and preaching. In 1840 or 1841 he married Miss Malcolm, daughter of Dr. Malcolm of Gadsden County, Florida. After her death, he married Mrs. Everett and settled near Thomasville. Blewett preached along the Georgia-Florida line and was a pro-mission influence in the introduction of Articles of Faith for the Florida Association. In 1867 Blewett was pastor of Friendship, Indian Springs, Liberty, and New Hope in the Florida Association. In 1870 or 1871 he moved to Cadwell County, Texas, where he died in 1873.

Secondary Source:
History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia with Biographical Compendium, pp. 36-37.
Florida Baptist Associational Minutes, 1867, p. 17; 1873, p. 6.

BENJAMIN BREWTON BLITCH

Benjamin Brewton Blitch (1873-1941) was from a family of Baptist preachers. His grandfather, Benjamin Blitch of Effingham County, Georgia (1811-1887), was a veteran of the Seminole War and served as a Baptist preacher for 41 years. Blitch’s father was James Elias Blitch (1833-1876) and he served in the Georgia 7th Calvary in the Civil War. James Elias Blitch was also a Baptist preacher, historian, missionary and evangelist. Blitch also had four uncles who were Baptist preachers. Blitch served as pastor of Brent Baptist Church (1906-1911), First Baptist Church, Cottondale (1912-1913), First Baptist Church, Blountstown (1915), Bagdad Baptist Church (1924-1925), First Baptist Church in Milton (1926) and Immanuel Baptist Church, Panama City. He helped organize the Flagler Street Church in Miami and served ten years as pastor (1931-1941). Blitch married Janette Harrison Blitch in 1899, and they had four children. Janette died in 1913 and Blitch married Hattie Barbara Davis in 1913.

Secondary Source:
Judith R. Jolly, Rev. Benjamin Brewton Blitch .
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

M. F. BLITCH

M. F. Blitch served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1898.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NEWTON A. BLITCH

Newton A. Blitch (1844-1921) was born in Marion County, Florida. Blitch served in the House of Representatives and Florida State Senator. He also served on the Railroad Commission. Blitch was a member of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee and president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1914 and 1916.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. L. BLIZZARD

A. L. Blizzard served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hastings and First Baptist Church, Eau Galle.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BOB BLOCK

Bob Block graduated from Baylor University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Chiefland and in 2009 became pastor of First Baptist Church, Tampa. He and his wife Darleen have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 21, 2009, p. 6.

D. J. BLOCKER

D. J. Blocker served as pastor of Blake Memorial Baptist Church in 1907-1908.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. D. BLOCKER

J. D. Blocker served as pastor of First Baptist Church, DeLand.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RICHARD G. BLOODWORTH

Richard G. Bloodworth (1932-1989) was born in Panama City, Florida. Bloodworth graduated from Stetson University (B. A.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ( M. Div.). He served as pastor of Cedar Grove Mission, 1954, Cinco Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, 1956-1959, Shiloh Baptist Church, Chipley, First Baptist Church, Southport, and First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka (1982-1988). Bloodworth and his wife Ada Jean Kirkland had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRED C. BLOSCH

Fred C. Blosch (July 29, 1898-March 10, 1970) was born near Stillwater, Oklahoma. Blosch was the ninth child born to Valentine and Louisa Theila Blosch. His mother led him to Christ at a very early age. In 1919 his family moved to the small town of Ft. Lauderdale. At age 25 he was called to schooling and after four years he graduated from Baptist Institute (Bachelor of Gospel Music and Bachelor of Christian Training). In 1930 he became pastor of First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach. He continued to pastor in Palm Beach County until 1946. He then served at Oak-Griner, Ocala (1946-1949), Fellowship (1949-1956) and Jonesville (1956-1960).

Secondary Source:
James Leland Luffman, A History of Oak-Griner Baptist Church, pp. 56-60.

WILLIAM BLOSCH

William Blosch is a native of Gainesville, Florida. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Blosch is a retired chaplain of the Army. He has pastored churches in Indiana and Florida, including Hardeetown Baptist Church, Chiefland. Blosch and his wife Connie Lovallo Blosch have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. B. BLOTCH

B. B. Blotch did missionary work in the Southport area.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. W. BLOUIN

J. W. Blouin was bornin Oklahoma. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Blouin served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Flomaton.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. F. BLOUNT

B. F. Blount served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1917-1918, 1947 and New Hope Baptist Church, Holmes County in 1945.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 9, 1945, p. 3.

BERNARD BLOUNT

Bernard Blount served as regional director of African American work for the Florida Baptist State Convention. He served as pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Panama City 1991-1992.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

G. A. BLOUNT

G. A. Blount served as pastor of New River Baptist Church, Brooker.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WALTER C. BLUE, JR.

Walter C. Blue Jr. (1911-1981) served as pastor in North Carolina, Texas, and Florida for over 40 years. His Florida pastorates included First Baptist Church, Perrine, First Baptist Church,Pierson, and Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, Daytona Beach. He and his wife, Aileen, had one child, Walter III.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 17, 1981, p. 6.

TOM BOWLING

Tom Bowling served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

OLIVER EVERETT BOALS

Oliver Everett Boals (b. October 9, 1913; d. October 16, 2020) probably had the distinction of being not only the oldest pastor, but the longest-serving person to minister in churches in the Florida Baptist State Convention. His bi-vocational ministry spanned 86 years during which he served 15 different small and rural churches in North Central Florida. In 2013, at age 100 to celebrate his ministry, he preached at the First Baptist Church, Archer. Boals became a Christian at age 17, but felt impressed to preach from age 4. Boals became a pastor at age 18 in 1931 and began service with his first church, Eden Baptist Church, Hawthorne. As a bi-vocational pastor, to support his family, Boals worked on the farm, cut cordwood in a sawmill, managed a grocery store, was a meat cutter, and bought and sold cattle and horses. He preached at his home church of Jonesville and also preached at Island Grove Baptist Church. He served 18 years as pastor of Jones Road Baptist Church, Jacksonville.  In 2009, at age 96, Boals was serving as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church, Branford.  His shortest pastorate was at the Hawthorne Baptist Church where he served for four days. The church had split and in four days he brought them back together. He served on the Florida Baptist Convention’s State Board of Missions for two terms, served as the moderator and vice moderator of Black Creek Association, and was honored by Stetson University as Pastor of the Year in 1968. Boals was married to Shirley Keen for 73 years and they had 3 children.  Shirley Boals died and later in 2009 Brother Boals re-married. O.E. Boals is buried in the Jonesville Baptist Church Cemetery, Newberry.

Source:
Florid Baptist Historical Society files;
Secondary Sources:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 21, 2006, p. 7; November 5, 2009, p. 2.; The Gainesville Sun, October 12, 2013;
Baptist Press, January 12, 2016;
Jacksonville Florida Times Union, October 19, 2020.

JAMES CLIFTON BOATWRIGHT

James Clifton Boatwright (September 17, 1891- ) was born in Johnson County, Georgia. In 1901 he joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was called to preach in 1906. He moved to Fort McCoy, Florida, in 1913. He was licensed to preach in 1914 at Fort McCoy, was called as pastor of Eureka in 1915, and ordained at Fort McCoy in 1916. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth. Boatwright served as pastor at Sparr, Anthony, Harmony, Fellowship, Ocklawaha Bridge, Wildwood, Oak-Griner and Knights, Plant City. He was a bi-vocational pastor, and a carpenter and block mason by trade.

Secondary Source:
James Leland Luffman. A History of Oak-Griner Baptist Church, pp. 27-31.

JOSEPH E. BOATWRIGHT

Joseph E. Boatwright served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Mims and Aloma Baptist Church, Winter Park. He and his wife, Joyce Boatwright, had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. J. BOATWRIGHT

L. J. Boatwright served as the first pastor of First Baptist Church, Floral City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PAUL BOBBITT

Paul Bobbitt (1928-2011) was born in Sanford, North Carolina, and graduated from Wake Forest University (1951) and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1953, MSM). Bobbitt served as minister of music in churches in North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida. He was the director of the Church Music Department of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1970-1993. He and his wife Mayrene had daughters Irene, Myra and Angie.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. L. BOBO

J. L. Bobo served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

T. S. BOEHM

T. S. Boehm was born on March 29, 1907 and died in Augusta, Georgia, in 1971, after suffering a stroke. He was buried in Rogersville, Tennessee. Boehm studied at Carson-Newman and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In September 1943, he helped start the Florida Baptist Institute as a school for adults to receive help and attain high school graduation. He was a co-founder, teacher, trustee, dean, and acting president of Baptist Bible Institute over the course of 10 years. Boehm and his wife, Maime Ausband Boehm, had one son, John Charles.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 20, 1971, p. 8.
Alice M. Muir, A Historic Sketch, pp. 30-32.

FRED H. BOEHMER

Fred H. Boehmer served for many years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Brandon. He went to Brandon in 1976, and had previously served in Texas and Tennessee. Boehmer was a graduate of Wheaton College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Boehmer came directly to Brandon from an eight year pastorate of Greenwich Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. He has served widely in convention denominational service.

Secondary Service:
Florida Baptist Witness, March 18, 1976, p. 6.

JOHN R. BOGERS, SR.

John R. Bogers, Sr. (1929-2004) served as a Baptist minister for 38 years. He served as pastor of 11th Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville; First Baptist Church, Middlesburg; and Blue Lake Baptist Church in Chipley. He and his wife, Alcine, were married 58 years, and they had three children; Helen, Mary, and Robert.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 12, 2004, p. 5.

JACKIE R. BOGGAN

Jackie R. Boggan served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

O. H. BOGGS

O. H. Boggs served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Destin.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. D. BOHANAN

J. D. Bohanan served as a pastor of Chaires Baptist Church and Indian Springs Baptist Church in 1909. Bohanan died in 1910.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1909, p. 117; 1911, p. 83.

IVAN BOHANNON

Ivan Bohannon (1883-1953) was a native of Putnam County. He moved to Green Cove Springs, Florida, in 1938. He was ordained in 1921, and served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms, Hickory Grove Baptist Church from 1937-1945, Paran Baptist Church, Grandin, Heilbron Baptist Church, Starke, and First Baptist Church, Middleburg. He and his wife, Fannie Conway Bohannon, had four sons and three daughters.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NAMON THAMAR BOHANNON

Namon Thamar Bohannon (August 15, 1927-October 29, 2004) was born in Elliottown, near Jay. He was converted in 1939 in a revival at First Baptist Church, Milton. Bohannon graduated from Milton High School in June 1945, and married Donie Mell King in December 1945. He and his wife were married 58 years and had six children; Karen, Cathy, Cheryl, Patti, Stephen, and Bobby. Bohannon joined the Air Force in 1946, and upon completion of that duty worked over ten years with the St. Regis Paper Company. He worked primarily in his ministry as a bivocational pastor, and served in Texas and Florida. He was one of the organizers of Floridatown Baptist Church.

Secondary Source:
Joe M. Bamberg. The History of First Baptist Church of Milton, p. 111.
Florida Baptist Witness, November 25, 2004, p. 11.

WILLIAM O. BOHELER

William O. Boheler (-1989) was a pastor in the Palm Lake Baptist Association and served in the juvenile division of the Home Mission Board for six years. Boheler organized “A Pastor’s Day in Court” within the Palm Lake Baptist Association and a similar program in Fort Lauderdale. The program is devoted to helping wayward youngsters obtain a better place in and attitude towards society. Boheler and his wife Lucille had three children. He died June 13, 1989.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUGENE BOHNER

Eugene Bohner served as pastor of Waverly Church, Waverly. He went as pastor of Sidney Church in Sidney in 1980.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 11, 1980, p. 6.

FLOYD B. BOICE

Floyd B. Boice (1909-1964) graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia and the University of Southern California. He served as president of Los Angeles Theological Seminary. Boice served as pastor of Northeast Baptist Church, and Grapeland Heights Baptist Church both of Miami. He and his wife, Virginia Boice had one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MURRILL N. BOITNOTT

Murrill N. Boitnott (1951-   ) is a native of Roanoke, VA and a graduate of Bluefield College, Emory and Henry College and Southwestern Baptist Seminary, TX. Bointnott served as pastor of churches in Virginia and Florida, including Wayside Baptist Church, Miami, 1984-1995. He served with the Florida Baptist State Convention for the Baptist Campus Ministries. Bointnott and his wife Deborah Burton and they had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NATHAN L. BOLES

Nathan L. Boles (1949-2018) was born in Gainesville to Nathan J. and Mary Boles. Boles accepted the call to ministry in 1973 and earned his Doctorate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida for almost 40 years until his retirement. He was married to Darlene Boles who died in 2000.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM J. “BUDDY” BOLES

William J. “Buddy” Boles served as pastor at Enon Baptist Church, Walnut Hill from 1990-2002.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAY BOLEJACK

Jay Bolejack served as pastor of Parkway Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM JAMES BOLIN

William James Bolin (November 12, 1862-October 11, 1960) was born in Brown’s Creek, Henderson County, Tennessee. He was the son of John and Elmina Clarke Bolin. He had five brothers (Joseph, Mesley, John, Eugene, Alfred) and two sisters (Mandy and Fanny). He was raised in Clinton, Kentucky (1864-1886). He received the B.A. degree from Clinton College in 1886 and attended Andover Newton (1886-1887) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1893-1894). He married Elnora Stubblefield in 1888 and upon her death married Callie Stubblefield in 1897. He had five children (Herbert, James, Maymie, Robert, and Nona). Bolin served as a school teacher, newspaper editor and pastor. He received a D.D. degree from Clinton College. Bolin was converted in 1876 at age 14 and baptized
in 1880 at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Clinton, Kentucky. He was ordained at Mt. Moriah in 1886. Bolin was pastor of 16 different Baptist churches in four states from 1888-1942. Some of the more significant pastorates included First Baptist Church, Milan, Tennessee (1890-1893), First Baptist Church, Orlando (1894-1895), First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge (1903-1907), First Baptist Church, Newport, Kentucky (1912-1913), and First Baptist Church, Lakeland (1920-1925). He served as the chaplain of the State Senate while serving in Baton Rouge. He held numerous denominational offices, and was the author of Bible Briefs in 1918, and A Pilgrim’s Programme and Other Sermons in 1935.

Secondary Sources:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, November 10, 1960, p. 12.
Alice M. Muir. A Historic Sketch, pp. 23-24.

E. B. BOLING

E. B. Boling served as pastor of Beverly Hills Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES HOUSTON BOLTON

Charles Houston Bolton (September 13, 1886-November 11, 1973) was born in Belgreen, Alabama. He was the son of Franklin Marion and Josephine Hall. He studied at Atlanta Theological Seminary (1912-1914) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1915-1917). He was ordained in 1916. He received honorary, doctoral degrees from Mercer University (D.D., 1933), and Stetson University (L.H.D., 1943). Bolton married Lena Mae Painter on September 20, 1904, and they had three children; Charles Houston, Elinor Lyle, and Edith Annette. Bolton served as pastor at Southside Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama (1917-1924), Norwood Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama (1924-1927), First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach (1927-1939), Riverside Baptist Church, Miami (1944-1949), and First Baptist Church, Avon Park, Florida (1953-1956). Bolton was a printer, banker, pastor, and denominational worker. He was the first Executive Secretary of the Southern Baptist Foundation (1949-1953) and served as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention (1941-1949). After retiring in 1956, Bolton served in 40 interim pastorates. Bolton served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1940 and 1946.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, April 27, 1944, July 13, 1944.

EMERSON BOLTON

Emerson Bolton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Oak Hill, 2006-2011 and First Baptist Church, Edgewater.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLARD BOMAN

Willard Boman (1922-2008) served in the Navy for 20 years and retired. After his retirement from the Navy he spent over 35 years pastoring nine Southern Baptist churches including Ferndale Baptist Church, Apopka, 1958-1959. He and his wife, Marguerite Boman had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. B. BONEY

J. B. Boney served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. B. BONEY

L. B. Boney (1875-1957) was born in Sampson County, NC, the son of Hiram Stallings and Zilphia Anne Boney. He received his education from Scottsberg College, VA, Bethel Hill Institute, VA and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Boney served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula, and First Baptist Church, Williston. He and his wife Lela Murrell Boney had three daughters.

Source:
First Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1876-2001.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. L. BONNER

A. L. Bonner served as Chaplin with the Marines in World War II. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church Callahan from 1949-1951. Bonner and his wife Mary had four children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. L. BONSTEEL

R. L. Bonsteel served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crescent City and First Baptist Church, Palatka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHRIS BONTS

Chris Bonts is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from the Baptist College of Florida and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bonts has served as pastor of churches in Indiana and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN C. BOONE

John C. Boone (1947-   ) was born in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL. Boone served as pastor in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida, including Lakeview Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL. From 1988-2002, he served as associate director of the Sunday School Department of the Florida Baptist State Convention and from 2002-2015, as director. He and his wife, Sherrill Farmer Boone have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

M. O. BOONE

M. O. Boone served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT BOONE

Robert Boone served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Destin.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRANK BOOTH

Frank Booth served as pastor of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Bratt.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHNNY BOOTH

Johnny Booth served as pastor of Ferndale Baptist Church, Apopka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LAURENCE R. BOOTH

Laurence R. Booth (1948-   ) was born in West Chester, PA. He graduated from Trenton St. College, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Booth served for the Home Mission Board in the Language Extension Department of the Florida Baptist State Convention. He and his wife Linda Sue Clark Booth had four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

TERRY BOOTH

Terry Booth served as pastor of Scenic Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE BORDERS

George Borders was Vice President of Student Affairs at Stetson University and became the third President of Palm Beach Atlantic University in 1978. Borders resigned in 1981 to become the President of the Florida Baptist Foundation.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MARSHALL BOROUGHS

Marshall Boroughs (1914-2009) was a native of Missouri, the son of William D. and Eva Barnes Watts Boroughs. He served as pastor of East Naples Baptist Church from 1970-1979 and North Hillsborough Baptist Church, Arcadia. Boroughs was married to Minnie Kathleen Harper Boroughs had one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM BORUM

William Borum is listed in the 1856 West Florida Baptist Associational Minutes as an ordained minister living in Greenwood, Florida. In 1859 he was pastor of Sardis and New Hope in the West Florida Baptist Association.

Secondary Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1856, 1859.

D. W. BOSDELL

D. W. Bosdell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milligan and Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN BOSS

John Boss served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone, (2003-2005).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

E. C. BOSTICK

E. C. Bostick died November 22, 1947. He was a graduate of Stetson University, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bostick served for many years as Clerk of the South Florida Baptist Association, and also as recording secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention. He was a charter member of the Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland. He was known from his many pastorates he held in south and central Florida. Bostick served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1905-06, and First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1908.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 1, 1948, p. 13.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

G. W. BOSTICK

G. W. Bostick is listed as the pastor of Lake Jackson Church, Leon County, in the 1851 Florida Baptist Associational Minutes. He died in Wakulla County in 1881. According to the 1860 Florida Associational Minutes, Bostick was living in Sopchoppy and pastor of Mount Benzor, Mount Elon, and Bethsaida in Wakulla County.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Associational Minutes, 1851, p. 2; 1860, 1881.
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1881, p. 13; 1882, p. 13.

S. E. BOSTICK

S. E. Bostick served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. M. BOSTICK

W. M. Bostick served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM WILEY BOSTICK

William Wiley Bostick, son of Rev. George W. Bostick, pioneer Florida pastor, was born March 31, 1843, in Gadsden County. In March 1862, at Way Key, he enlisted in Company D, Third Florida Infantry, CSA. A private and musician, he was detailed as a military hospital nurse following the battle of Vicksburg. Later captured near Atlanta and imprisoned at Camp Douglas in Chicago, he remained a prisoner until the war ended. Florida Baptist pastorates include Bethpage, Monticello, Olive (North Florida); Homeland, Bethel, Beulah, Gapway, Lakeland, Bartow (Polk); Pleasant Hill, Dade City (Pasco); Eden (Hernando); Shiloh (Hillsborough); Sumterville, Pine Level (Sumter); Lady Lake (Lake); Arcadia (DeSoto); Fort Myers (Lee); and Key West (Monroe). He was Lee County School Superintendent from 1897 to 1901. “A minister of the gospel for fifty-two years,” he died May 28, 1919, in Miami and is buried in Miami City Cemetery.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ERIC BOTLEY

Eric Botley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee, 2004.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MATTHEW J. BOUTERSE, SR.

Matthew John Bouterse served as pastor of Buena Vista Baptist Church which united with Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, Miami, 1921-24. He also served at Allapattah Baptist Church, Miami, First Baptist Church, Maitland, Woodlawn Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Holopaw Baptist Church, Osceola County, Plymouth Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church, Mt. Dora. He was married to Reina (Rijskamp) Bouterse.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MATTHEW J. BOUTERSE, II

Matthew John Bouterse II (1914-2006) was born near Pensacola, FL. He was the son of  Matthew John Bouterse and Reina (Rijskamp) Bouterse. He attended University of FL and then Stetson where he obtained a Bachelors degree. He continued his education at the Eastern Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He served as a Navy Chaplain on the ship Astoria during World War II.  and First Baptist Church, Umatilla. He also served as a missionary in Hong Kong and Guam. Bouterse and his wife Virginia Lee had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM M. BOUTERSE

William M. Bouterse served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN BOVARD

John Bovard served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT CLECKLER BOWDEN

Robert Cleckler Bowden (1929-2021) is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He finished college at Howard College in Birmingham and later worked as head football coach there. Bowden served as head football coach at South Georgia College, Howard College (1959-1962), West Virginia, and Florida State. He has had 332 coaching victories with two national championships and fourteen consecutive 10-win seasons. Bowden is a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida. He and his wife Ann Estock Bowden had six children.

Secondary Source:
Bobby Bowden/Mike Bynum. Bound For Glory.
Florida Baptist Witness, January 16, 2003, p. 12.

HAROLD BOWE

Harold Bowe attended Bob Jones University. He has held pastorates in South Carolina and Florida Bowe was ordained by Buffalo Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa in 1940. He served as pastor of Buffalo Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, Calvary Baptist Church, Lakeland, Tribly Baptist Church, 1942, Pasco County, Knights Baptist Church, Lakeland, 1950-1952, Faith Baptist Church, Fort Myers, and First Baptist Church, Fort Myers.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

STEPHEN BOWE

Stephen Bowe serves as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lehigh.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

TOM BOWERS

Tom Bowers serves as pastor of Seminole Bible Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

THOMAS JEFFERSON BOWEN

Thomas Jefferson Bowen (b. 1914; d. 1875), a former Florida Baptist pastor, was the first Southern Baptist-appointed missionary to serve in Yoruba, Central Africa and then Brazil, South America.  Born in Jackson County, Georgia, after having served in Georgia militia, achieving the rank of captain, Bowen surrendered his life to Christ in 1840.  Two years later, Bowen responded to God’s call to the preaching ministry.  He began an itinerant preaching ministry which covered south Georgia, north Florida and southeast Alabama.  During 1847 and 1848, he served as part-time pastor of three churches in Gadsden County, including Liberty, Hebron and Providence, and then Leon County’s Providence Church.  Receiving God’s call to foreign missions, Bowen requested the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board to be appointed to Central Africa, where he served between 1849 and 1856.  Due to health problems, Bowen was re-assigned to establish a mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Returning to Georgia in early 1861, he ultimately continued an itinerant preaching ministry in Georgia and Florida.  He died November 24, 1875.

Sources:
Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, Vol I,
T. J. Bowen, Central Africa: Adventures and Missionary Labors in the Interior of Africa
Mary Emily Wright, The Missionary Work of the Southern Baptist Convention
Florida Baptist Historical Society files

STEPHEN BOWMAN

Stephen Bowman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLARD BOWMAN

Willard Bowman served as pastor of Parkway Baptist Church (now Northbay), Niceville and Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. PRESTON BOYD

A. Preston Boyd was ordained to the gospel ministry on January 12, 1913, at Live Oak Baptist Church. S. B. Rogers preached the ordination sermon. Previous to this ordination Boyd was a Presbyterian pastor.

Secondary Source:
Baptist Witness, January 16, 1913, p. 12.

CAROLYN BURNETT BOYD

Carolyn Burnett Boyd (1935-2018) was born in Saluda County, South Carolina, the daughter of David Pressley and Lottie Gunter Burnett. She was a graduate of Winthrop University, received her masters of Religious Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and received her masters of Elementary Education from South Carolina State University. Mrs. Boyd was a former Sunbeam Director for the Florida Baptist Convention 1961-1964 and a kindergarten teacher for over thirty years. She and her husband, Rev. William E. “Bill” Boyd had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

DAVID BOYD

David Boyd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Destin.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. LEON BOYD

J. Leon Boyd served as pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Pensacola from 1973-1980. He then served as Director of Missions of Pinellas Association (now Suncoast) and Director of Urban Strategy with the North American Mission Board from which he retired in 1992.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 7, 2006, p11.

JAMES BOYD

James Boyd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sneads.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES E. BOYD

James E. Boyd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee from 1955-1960.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society

JAMES W. BOYD

James W. Boyd served as pastor Blackwater Baptist Mission, 1970-1972.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JIM BOYD

Jim Boyd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHNNY BOYD

Johnny Boyd (1935-1999) served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, 1964-1966 and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Crestview. He and his wife, Yvonne had four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LOUISE SMITH BOYD

Louise Smith Boyd was born in Fordeville, Kentucky. She graduated from the WMU Training School in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1926, and the Woman s College (later renamed William Carey) in 1930 (A. B.). Boyd accepted a teaching position in the Ashland, Kentucky public school system and then in 1931 became the young people s secretary of the Florida WMU. Upon the retirement of Charlotte Rinkenburger Peelman (1936), Boyd was elected corresponding secretary of the Florida WMU. She served in that capacity from 1936-1943. Louise Smith met David Fair Boyd while both were in Jacksonville and they married in 1943. She continued her active WMU work in Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia. David Boyd died in 1975 and Louise Smith Boyd continues to live in Atlanta.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MILTON W. BOYD

Milton W. Boyd (1940-2007) was born in Tarboro, North Carolina. His educational background is closely associated with his service in the United States Air Force. He attended the Air Training Command School (1957), University of Maryland (Morocco), NonCommissioned Officers School, and Los Angeles City College (Thailand). Boyd served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1976-1987), Central Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama (1983-1990), and New Birth Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana. Boyd has received many awards as it relates to ministry, training, and church growth. He is currently the director, church development, African-American Ministries Division of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Paula Pacheco Boyd, have four children; Jose, Clarissa, Enrique, Carrlos, and Madalena.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist History Society files,
Florida Baptist Witness, February 22, 2007, p. 5.

ERNEST DOYLE BOYER

Ernest Doyle Boyer (December 4, 1869-November 2, 1969) was born in Eufaula, Alabama. Ordained in 1917, Boyer served as pastor of over 15 Southern Baptist churches in Florida. He served at Citra, Lawtey, Yankestown, Inglis, Baldwin, Cedar Key, North Ocala, Deland,  McIntosh, Fort McCoy, and six churches in Tampa, including State Highway and El Bethel. In 1940 he organized East Hillsborough Church in Tampa on land he donated to the congregation. He and his wife, Irene Tompkins Boyer, had three daughters and five sons. In 1967 he was recognized as the oldest active pastor in The Southern Baptist Convention. He was still serving as pastor at age 98.

Primary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, November 13, 1969, p. 8;
December 14, 1967, p. 11.

OWEN BOZEMAN

Owen Bozeman was born and raised in the Myrtle Gove section of Pensacola, and he grew up in the Myrtle Grove Baptist Church. He graduated from Samford University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, and First Baptist Church in Milton, Florida.

Secondary Source:
Joe M. Bamberg. The History of First Baptist Church, Milton, Florida. pp. 79-88.

WILLIAM T. BRACEWELL

William T. Bracewell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Minneola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RICHARD C. BRACKIN

Richard C. Brackin of Dothan, Alabama, served as pastor of Parkway Church, Orlando, then went to King Street Church in Cocoa as pastor in 1980.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 18, 1980, p. 7.

JOE BRADFORD

Joe Bradford served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. H. BRADFORD

W. H. Bradford served as pastor of Orange Baptist Church, Suwannee County, 1899-1900.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LAWRENCE V BRADLEY, JR.

Lawrence V. Bradley, Jr. was a native of Marion, North Carolina. He attended Georgetown College and graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bradley served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Virginia and Florida, including Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, Miami.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ALAN BRADSHAW

Alan Bradshaw served as pastor of Buffalo Avenue Baptist Church (now Hillsdale), Tampa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE D. BRAGAN

George D. Bragan served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, 1913-1919.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

D. L. BRAINARD

D. L. Brainard served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1922.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES BRANCH

James Branch (1928-2014) was born in Baxley, Georgia, and was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He served as pastor of Black Pond and Friendship Baptist churches in Black Creek Association. Branch served for 32 years as pastor of Faith Memorial Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He and his wife Joan had two children: Douglas and Melody.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, April 3, 2014, p. 4.

JOSEPH M. BRANCH

Joseph M. Branch served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Clermont.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

T. W. BRANCH

T. W. Branch served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lamont.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

DONALD ASA BRANDEIS

Donald Asa Brandeis (1929-2003) was ordained by First Baptist Church, Carrabelle where he was associate pastor in 1957. Brandeis moved to Tallahassee and became a full time evangelist.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ED BRANDENBURG

Ed Brandenburg served as pastor of Woodrun Baptist Church and Seminole Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. L. BRANDENBURG

R. L. Brandenburg served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. L. BRANDON

W. L. Brandon served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. S. BRANDON

W. S. Brandon served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Groveland.

Source:
Forty Fruitful Years, History Lake County Association, 1924-1964

ADELEE BRANHAM

Adelee Branham served as a missionary to Havana, Cuba and then as missionary in the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, 1904 and 1905, and under the Home Mission Board as missionary to the Cubans in Ybor City and Tampa in 1905.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RONALD W. BRANNING

Ronald W. Branning (December 10, 1957- ) became a Christian in 1964. He attended Troy State University where he received the B.Mu.in 1979, and the M.Mu., 1985. He served as Minister of Music in Alabama and Florida. Branning taught music from 1979-1999 in various schools in Alabama and Florida. In 1996 he joined the music faculty of the Baptist College of Florida. Branning served as Minister of Music at Eastside Baptist Church in Marianna, Florida for over 22 years.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. N. BRANNOCK

J. N. Brannock served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fernandina.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. A. BRANNON

J. A. Brannon was pastor of Delray Baptist Church in 1926.

Source:
1926 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 28.

G. BRANT

G. Brant served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1934-1935.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CLOVIS A. BRANTLEY

Clovis A. Brantley (October 18, 1913- ) was born in Lily, Florida. He attended Stetson University (1933-1937) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1937-1940). He and his wife, Gladys Beall Brantley, had three children. Brantley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona (1933-1937), Oak-Griner Baptist Church in Ocala (1935-1937), and  Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala, but is best known across the Southern Baptist Convention for his work with the Home Mission Board. He was director of a convention urban ministry center (1937-1951) and then served as Superintendent of all Home Mission Board Mission Centers. There is a mission center in New Orleans named in his honor.

Secondary Source:
James Leland Luffman, A History of Oak-Griner Baptist Church, 1915-1975, p. 39-41.

G. T. BRANTLEY

G. T. Brantley (1840-1901) was born February 20, 1840, and was a soldier in the Civil War. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1873, and died in 1901.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Convention Annual. 1901. p. 47.

HAROLD BRANTLEY

Harold Brantley served as Director of Missions in Brevard Baptist Association from 1992-2006.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 27, 2006, p. 14.

J. H. BRANTLEY 

J. H. Brantley was born in Georgia. He died December 30, 1906, at “age about 60.” Brantley pastored Lake Sterns Baptist Church (now Lake Placid) from 1900-1902.

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

MAURICE E. BRANTLEY

Maurice E. Brantley (1914-2008) was born in Altoona, FL. Brantley graduated from Stetson University, Deland and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, First Baptist Church, Okahumpka, 1935, First Baptist Church, Port Orange, and Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1939. During his 70 years of ministry, he served as a missionary in Nigeria and pastored churches in Florida and Arizona. He and his first wife, Louise Doyle Brantley had one son, Maurice. Louise died in 1959 and Brantley married Edna Mae Brantley

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEONARD BRANTON

Leonard Branton served as pastor of First Church, DeLeon Springs; First Church, Eaton Park; First Church, Lake Garfield; First Church, Highland City, First Church, Altoona and Lake Hill Baptist Church, Orlando. Branton and his wife Irene Branton have two daughters.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 18, 1980, p. 6.

FRANK K. BRASINGTON

Frank K. Brasington (1908-) was born in Baltimore, MD. He graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Brasington served as Chaplain in the US Air Force. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. BRYAN “BREEZY” BRASINGTON

J. Bryan Brasington (1925-2011) was a native of Heath Springs, South Carolina. He attended Clemson University and graduated from Stetson University (B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theolgoical Seminary (B.D.) He played college football and two years of professional baseball. Brasington married Victoria Young of Gainesville, Florida. She studied at Stetson University (B.A.) and the University of Florida (M.Ed.). They had two children. Brasington served as pastor of churches in Umatilla, Florida, and Scottsburg, Indiana. Victoria served as secretary at First Baptist Church, DeLand, and as youth and education director at First Baptist Church, Quincy. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines in World War II. The Brasingtons were appointed as Southern Baptist Missionaries in April 1955, and they served in South America for over 25 years.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BROOKS BRASWELL

Brooks Braswell graduated from the Baptist College of Florida. He serves as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Umatilla. Braswell and his wife, Jaime have six children Abigail, Madison, Katelynn, Ally, Bennett, and Bethany.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN L. BRAY

John L. Bray (1921-2016) was born in Macon, GA. He attended Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bray pastored churches in Florida and South Carolina and served as pastor of the Southside Baptist Church, Plant City and First Baptist Church, Clewiston (1951-1953). Bray also served as an evangelist. He and his wife, Mary Evelyn Bray had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES HENRY BREAKER

James Henry Breaker (b. 1820; d. 1897) was born in Edgefield, South Carolina, to Lewis Frederick Breaker. Breaker studied medicine in Connecticut before becoming a Baptist minister. Breaker of Florida and Charles Lewis of Groton, Connecticut, and Elim Eldridge established the Key West Baptist Church on March 11, 1843.  Breaker subsequently was appointed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, to serve as pastor of the Key West church, as well as ministering to Cuban migrants.  Later, in 1853, Breaker organized the First Baptist Church, Tampa, but the church disbanded due to lack of interest. Breaker was pastor at Union Baptist Church later called First Baptist Church, Brooksville, from 1856-1866.  Breaker married several times, as was common during those days as a result of women’s various medically ailments resulting in pre-mature deaths.  He arrived in Key West with his new bride, Miss Abby Desiah Niles.  She died in Connecticut in 1850. James remarried Eliza Jane Spencer (born Nov. 8, 1835) on July 10, 1853 in Hillsborough County, Florida. They had a daughter named Eliza Jane born August 30, 1854 in St. Louis, Missouri, but died, followed by her mother on Sept. 2 of the same year.  He then remarried again to Miss Angelina C. Johnson on January 23, 1856 in Putnam County, Florida.  Breaker joined the Southern cause during the Civil War” serving as a chaplain and as a captain the Old Guards, mounted Rangers.

Secondary Source:
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1882, p. 9.
Stonington Union Association Minutes, 1845 (Connecticut).
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. FRED BREED

J. Fred Breed served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hastings.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOEL R. BREIDENBAUGH

Joel R. Breidenbaugh (November 14, 1975-   ) was born in Knox County, Indiana. He attended Florida Baptist Theological College (1994-1997, B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1997-2003, M.Div., Th.D.). Breidenbaugh served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Henderson, Kentucky (2000-2003); Cornerstone Baptist Church (2003- 2008) in Panama City Beach, Florida, and the First Baptist Sweetwater, Longwood , Florida, from (2008-2017). Since 2017, he has served as the lead pastor of the Gospel Centered Church, Apopka, Florida.  Breidenbaugh and his wife, Annthea Rhea West Breidenbaugh, have four children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, October 9, 2008, p. 11.

WALTER DUNNETT BREMNER

Walter Dunnett Bremner served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1925-1927. Bremner was married to Zelma B. Rackett and they had a son, Walter Alexander.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. H. BRENKER

J. H. Brenker was pastor of New Hope Church in Marion County in 1856. He served as Moderator of the Alachua Association in 1866-1867.

Secondary Source:
Alachua Association Minutes, 1856, p. 14; 1867, p. 1.

HILLARD BREWER

Hillard Brewer served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RALPH WAYNE BRIANT

Ralph Wayne Briant (December 27, 1954- ) was born in Tampa, Florida. He was saved in 1974 and surrendered to the ministry in December 1975. He was licensed to preach by the Seminole Heights Baptist Church of Tampa, Florida, in 1977, and ordained there in January 15, 1978. Briant attended Hillsborough Community College in Tampa; Mount Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon; Luther Rice Bible College; and Anderson Baptist Seminary. Briant has served in Oklahoma, Oregon, and served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Sarasota from May 1991 until 2016.  Briant was employed as the Southwest Florida regional catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention from 2016 to the present.  He and his wife, Ruth, have three children; Wayne Jr., Marci, and Steven.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. W. BRICE

J. W. Brice served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. L. BRIDGES

A. L. Bridges (1883-1953) was ordained by Cherry Creek Baptist Church, Georgia, in 1921. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Alfred, 1923-1928, Southside Baptist Church, Miami, 1927, Perrine Baptist Church in 1928, South Miami Baptist Church in 1928 and 1931 and Goulds Baptist Church in 1933. In 1942, Bridges led a group of Baptists to begin the Olympia Heights Baptist Mission, Miami (now Bird Road Baptist Church). He and his wife, Della Bridges had three children. .

Source:
1928 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p.28; Ibid, 1931, p. 4; Ibid, 1933, p. 4.
Florida Baptist Witness, December 7, 1944, p. 9.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CLAUDE BRIDGES

Claude Bridges (1888-1959) served as pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Orsino Baptist Church, Brevard County and First Baptist Church, Cocoa (1932-1935). Bridges held pastorates in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Texas.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK BRIDGES

Jack Bridges served as pastor of Thomasville Road Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM R. “BILL” BRIGHT

Bill Bright (1921-2003) was the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. In 1979, Bright commissioned the “JESUS” film, a feature-length documentary on the life of Christ, which has been viewed in 234 countries. Bright moved Campus Crusade for Christ from San Bernardino, CA to Orlando, FL in 1989 due to rising costs in California. In 1948 he married Vonette Zachary Bright

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 24, 2003, p. 4.

HUGH BRIMM

Hugh Brimm was a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and received his A. B. degree from Mississippi College, and his M.A. and Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Quincy, Florida (1944- ). Brimm taught social ethics as a tutor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary before going to Quincy.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 7, 1944, p. 9.

LARRY BRISTER


Larry Brister was born in McComb, Mississippi on July 27, 1952 to William and Alice Brister.  He is married to Ruth Ann and has one daughter, Angela, and one son, Travis.  Pastor Brister came to Christ at Harvest Chapel in 1995.  The church has changed names and merged with other churches through the years.  Harvest became First Baptist, Coral Springs; then, merged with New Hope of Coral Springs to form Living Hope Baptist; then, in July 2018 merged and became Immanuel Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale.  Pastor Brister has served as greeter, usher, deacon, deacon captain, Associate Pastor and Executive Pastor. He is now senior pastor or Immanuel FTL.  His denomination service has been exclusively in Gulf Stream Association.  He served the Board of Trustees from 2014-2017 (president in 2017). He is currently serving on the GSBA Board.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ZEB BRISTER

Zeb Brister (1918-1999) graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brister served as pastor of Village Baptist Church, Destin, 1972-1978 and Temple Baptist Church. He and his wife Frankie had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES WILLIAM BRITT

Charles William “Bill” Britt served as pastor of Lake Panasoffkee. Britt is married to Dot Britt.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CARSON BRITTAIN

Carson Brittain (1915-2009) served as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church in Saint Augustine from 1970 to 1978. He moved from Lake City to Saint Augustine. His father was C. M. Brittain (1873-1943) who served as Executive-Secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention (1926-1941). Brittan graduated from Carson Newmen Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1940 and served in Georgia and Florida. Carson and his wife Juanita had a son David and daughters Mary and Nancy.

Secondary Source:
The Long Road with God. . . a ‘Living’ History of Ancient City Baptist Church 1887-1987, pp. 74-78.
Florida Baptist Witness, November 26, 2009, p. 5.

CHARLES MERCER BRITTAIN

Charles Mercer Brittain (December 16, 1873-January 12, 1943), was born in Coyners, Georgia. His parents were Jabez Marshall Brittain and Ida Callaway. Brittain attended school at Emory and Mercer University. He married Susie Marie Moore of Macon, Georgia, and he and his wife had five sons. He served as pastor in Georgia and Alabama. He served Kissimmee, Lake City, and Ocala churches in Florida. He received a D.D. degree from Columbia College in 1917. Brittain was called to preach under the ministry of Dr. J. B. Hawthorne at First Baptist Church, Atlanta. He entered Mercer University in 1894 and graduated from there with an A.B. degree in 1898. He then attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served for four years as pastor in Georgia, then in Kissimmee Church in Florida from 1905 to 1906. He also served as pastor at Lake City, Florida and Columbia, Alabama. He served as a Christian worker with the troops during the Spanish-American War. Few men have known adversity in ministry as did Brittain. He worked faithfully with Columbia College to see that work fail in its ultimate goal. He became Executive-Secretary of the State Board of Missions in December 8, 1926, one week after the death of his mother, and continued in that work until his resignation on May 6, 1941. He experienced economic crisis in the state with the devastating hurricanes of 1927 and 1928. The stock market crash of 1929 brought a crisis to Baptists and their mission work. Debt and a cut back in services hit state Baptist work during the depression and Landmarkism was a constant threat in the 1930s. In all of this time, Brittain proved to be a positive stable leader expecting better days of service for the convention. He died at Ft. Myers on January 12, 1943.

Secondary Source:
Earl Joiner, A History of Florida Baptists
John L. Rosser, A History of Florida Baptists, pp. 100-108.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FRED E. BRITTAIN

Fred E. Brittain (1860-1946) was born to parents Augustus and Samantha in Cohoctah, Livingston County, Michigan. Britten graduated from the University of Michigan. He served as professor of psychology and ethics and pastor of Central University of Iowa, 1886-1889. Britten served as pastor and missionary in Norfolk, Nebraska from 1889-1893. He was pastor of Lake Worth Baptist Church. Britten and his first wife Flora Phelps Harley had three children, Clarence, Rollo and Merle. After the death of his first wife he married, Martha L. Scattergood Oliver.

Source:
1923 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 35.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES L. BRITTAIN

James L. Brittain served as pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church, Miami from 1973-1976.

Source:
History of Lakeview Baptist Church, p. 11.

MILNER C. BRITTAIN

Milner C. Brittain and his wife served as missionaries to China. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres Baptist Chapel.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NATHANIEL BRITTAIN

Nathaniel Brittain was an Air Force Chaplain in World War II. Brittain served as pastor of East Hill Baptist Church, Tallahassee from 1948-1951. In 1951 Brittain was called back into the Air Force when the Korean War started and made the Air Force chaplaincy his career.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

STANLEY BRITTON

Stanley Britton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SUSAN BROADWELL

Susan Broadwell (1957-   ) was born in Washington, GA. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Broadwell served as a missionary of the Home Mission Board as director of church and community ministries in Tampa Bay Baptist Association. She also served as regional director of Christian social ministries for Southwest Florida. She is married to Charles Chip Broadwell.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

AL S. BROCK

Al. S. Brock (1915-1980) died in Tallahassee on October 1, 1980. He served as pastor of churches in South Carolina and Florida.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, November 6, 1980, p. 6.

ALCUS R. BROCK

Alcus R. Brock (1927-2013) was born in Chipley, Florida, the son of John Henry and Gussie Mae Wester Brock. Besides working for the Postal Service for 25 years Brock served as pastor of New Orange Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon. He served as Director of Missions for the West Florida Baptist Association. He and his wife, Betty J. Brock had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES C. BROCK

Charles C. Brock was born in Clearwater, Florida, the son of Chalmus Lester and Irene Brock. He graduated from Auburn University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Brock served as pastor of churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Zephyrhills. He and his wife, Francis Brock had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

DAVID BROCK

David Brock is the son of Rev. Charles C. and Francis Brock. He graduated from Mid-American Baptist Theological Seminary. Brock served as pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church and Agape Baptist Church. He and his wife Carolyn Brock have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

OLIN BROCK

Olin Brock served as pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church in (1982-1984).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK H. BROCK

Jack H. Brock served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Cottondale.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JIMMY BROCK

Jimmy Brock served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM J. BROCK

William J. Brock (1928-2017) was born in Eustis, Texas. He graduated from the University of Missouri and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brock served as pastor of Manatee Baptist Church, 1967-1991. He and his wife, George Anne Leveske Brock had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

F. W. BROCKSMITH

F. W. Brocksmith died May 23, 1971. He served as pastor of Lake Wales and Fairview Shores Church in Orlando from 1963 to 1971. He and his wife, Victoria, had three daughters.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, June 17, 1971, p. 11.

FRED BROCKWAY

Fred Brockway served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto and Florosa Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NEIL I. BROHM

Neil I. Brohm (1928-2018) was born in East Orange, NJ to Frank Cornelius and Elsie Brohm. He graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville and Luther Rice Seminary. His first pastorate was at the Friendship Baptist Church in Malone, Florida, followed by a pastorate at Olivet Baptist Church, Milton. Brohm served a three-year position as a home missionary in Honolulu, Hawaii, and pastored churches in New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois. He and his wife Mabel had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. S. BROOKHARDT

J. S. Brookhardt served as pastor of Lucerne Park Baptist Church, Winter Haven and First Baptist Church, Orlando.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JIMMY BROOKINS

Jimmy Brookins (1933-2018) was born in Alturas, Florida to Dorsey Jelks “Doss” and Gladys (Murphy) Brookins. He graduated from Florida State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Brookins served as pastor of Stanton Memorial and North Shore Baptist Church on Miami from 1974-1980. He and his wife Mildred had three children.

Source:
Edna Hanson. History of Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, p. 11.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ORVILLE BROOKINS

Orville Brookins served as pastor of Gadara Baptist Church, 1956.

Source:
New River Baptist Association minutes, 1956, p. 28

REX BROOKINS

Rex Brookins served as pastor of New River Baptist Church, Brooker.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. J. BROOKS

A. J. Brooks served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, 1905-1906.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

G. I. BROOKS

G. I. Brooks served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crescent City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society

H. H. BROOKS

H. H. Brooks served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. P. BROOKS

J. P. Brooks served as the first pastor of Hobe Sound Baptist Church, 1964-1967.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. R. BROOKS

J. R. Brooks served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LAMAR BROOKS

Lamar Brooks (1927-2012) was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Rev. Gordon Lee and Irene Virginia Kendrick Brooks. He graduated from Mercer University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brooks served as pastor of churches in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Dunedin and First Baptist Church, Dade City. He and his wife, Mary Margaret Fowler Brooks had three sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

NATHAN C. BROOKS, JR.

Nathan C. Brooks served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola (1954-1958), and he said, I have been your pastor for 60 days and I have brought 60 messages. Pensacola has patient listeners. Brooks served as the president of the Board of Trustees in 1957 of the Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville when it first came under Florida Baptist Convention auspices. He resigned as pastor in Pensacola in 1958 to become the president of the Carver School of Missions and Social Work in Louisville, Kentucky.

Secondary Source:
Toni Moore Clevenger. On the Bay—On the Hill, pp. 231-242.

PAUL LEWIS BROOKS

Paul Lewis Brooks served as pastor in Louisiana and Mississippi before going as pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna (1978). He left there to become pastor of First Baptist Church of Raytown, Missouri.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 17, 1980, p. 13.
Leitch, Christ Centered Century, p. 68-87.

T. SHELTON BROOKS, SR.

T. Shelton Brooks Sr. (1914-2007) was born in Bostwick to Alfred and Mattie Burris Brooks. He served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Bardin, Florida and the Hammocks Baptist Church. Brooks also was active in the Mission Field and started several missions in Flagler County that became the First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, Community Baptist Church, Korona, and Westside Baptist Church in Western Flagler County and served as the first pastor of those three churches. He and his wife Lucille R. Brooks had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. P. BROOKS

W. P. Brooks served as pastor of First Baptist Church Sanford for 32 years beginning in the depression.

Secondary Source:
Earl Joiner, Don Hepburn, Favored Florida-A History of Florida Baptists 1854-2004, chapter four.

W. R. BROOKS

W. R. Brooks served as pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church, Milligan.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. O. BROOKSHIRE

C. O. Brookshire served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1916.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

THOMAS C. BROOMALL

Thomas C. Broomall (1923-1991) was a native of Birmingham. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Apopka from 1961 to 1972, and First Baptist Church, Dade City from 1972 to 1985. He and his wife, Wanda, had two daughters, Saron and Susan, and one son, Thomas.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 7, 1991, p. 11.

C. RICHARD BROOME

C. Richard Broome (1926-   ) was born in Macon, GA. He was licensed to the gospel ministry in 1949, by the First Baptist Church, Gainesville and ordained in 1951, by Parkland Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Broome is a graduate of the University of Florida and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Broome served as Business Services director for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1983-1992. He and his wife Elizabeth Hays Broome have three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUGENE BROOME

Eugene Broome served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HENRY BROOME

Henry Broome served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1945-1946.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN B. BROOME

John Broome married Mary Burney on January 1, 1848. Jesse Goodman performed the ceremony. Broome served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church (1839-1843). On June 20, 1841, John Broome and Alexander Mosely (d. 1846) constituted the Concord Baptist Church near Madison. The Concord church had 13 charter members and six were slaves. In September, 1841, Broome assisted in organizing the Monticello Baptist Church with six charter members. Broome died in 1854.

Source:
James C, Bryant, Indian Springs.

W. A. BROOME

W. A. Broome served as pastor of Belleview Baptist Church, Pensacola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. R. BROTHERS

L. R. Brothers served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1935-1936).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEOLA SMITH BROTHERS

Leola Smith Brothers (1908-1951) was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1908. She moved to Bowling Green, Florida, as a teenager. She graduated from Georgia State Woman s College in Valdosta, and the Woman s Missionary Union Training School in Louisville, Kentucky in 1931. She was called to foreign mission service in Africa after hearing Dr. R. G. Lee preach a sermon entitled “Suffering For Christ.” Brothers married Lionel Raymond Brothers, a Florida native in 1931. They served together in the boy’s school in Nigeria until July 13, 1951, the death date of Mrs. Brothers.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, June 26, 1951, p. 9.

RAYMOND BROTHERS

Raymond Brothers served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala and later was a missionary to Africa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LEN G. BROUGHTON

Len G. Broughton served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1923 to 1928. In 1925 the church had 2,415 members and a budget of $46,534.

Secondary Source:
Belton S. Wall, Jr. A Tale To Be Told, p. 102-104.
Florida Baptist Witness. September 1, 1927, p. 5.
September 22, 1927,  p. 3.

ALAN BROWN

Alan Brown served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 2008-20012.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

B. G. BROWN

B. G. Brown (1931-2008) was born in Miami, Florida, the son of William L. and Mildred G. Brown. He graduated from Stetson University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brown served as pastor of churches in Missouri and Florida, including Lake Monroe Baptist Church, Lake Mary Baptist Church, and Miller Memorial Baptist Church, Orlando. He and his wife, Diane Morgan Brown had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES L. BROWN

Charles L. Brown served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Polk City, 1949-1951.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES W. BROWN

Charles W. Brown served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sneads.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GEORGE BROWN

George Brown (   -1981) was born in Madison, Florida. He served as pastor of Emporia Baptist Church, Pierson, First Baptist Church, DeLeon Springs, Holden Heights Baptist Church and Hyland Park Baptist Church. Brown and his wife Helen were married in 1930 and they had three sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. A. BROWN

J. A. Brown was pastor of First Baptist Church, Hollywood in 1926.

Source:
1926 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 29.

JAMES BROWN

James Brown served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1970-1971.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES L. BROWN, JR.

James L. Brown, Jr. (1949-   ) was born in Wellington, KS. He graduated from Baylor University, Louisiana State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brown served as a missionary to Morocco from 1990 to 1993. From 1993 to 1995, he became director of Language Missions for the Florida Baptist State Convention. Brown served as Director of Florida Baptist Men Department from 1995 to 1999. He and his wife, Suzan McClure Brown have one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN L. BROWN

John L. Brown served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Polk County.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN W. BROWN, JR.

John W. Brown, Jr. served as pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church, (now Polk City Baptist Church).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOSH BROWN

Josh Brown was pastor of Enterprise and Spring Head churches in the South Florida Association in 1927.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 18, 1927.

M. DOYLE BROWN, SR.

M. Doyle Brown, Sr. served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ensley, 1969-1972.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MICHAEL BROWN

Michael Brown served as pastor of Knights Baptist Church, Plant City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PETER BROWN

Peter Brown served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT E. BROWN

Robert E. Brown (1938-   ) was born in Selma, AL. He graduated from Samford University, Birmingham, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis. Brown served as pastor of Cedar Hills Baptist Church, Jacksonville, 1981-1992. In 1992, he became Field Missionary Church Extension Department, East Central Florida, for the Florida Baptist Convention. Brown and his wife Bonnie Patterson Brow have two sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SCOTT BROWN

Scott Brown was called as pastor of Santa Fe Baptist Church in Alachua in 2012. He and his wife Crystal have one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 25, 2012, p. 5.

STEPHEN BROWN

Stephen Brown (1943-2021) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Thomas E. and Ardith Brown. He served in the U. S. Navy. Brown graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor to churches in Indiana and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Welaka. Brown and his wife Rebecca Ann Lewellen Brown have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

STEVEN BROWN

Steven Brown was born in Atlanta, GA. He serves as pastor of McDowell Baptist Church, St. Augustine. Brown and his wife, Diane Brown, have four children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 15, 2015, p. 5.

W. H. BROWN

W. H. Brown served as pastor of White Springs Baptist Church, 1951.

Source:
Beulah Baptist Association minutes, 1951.

W. K. BROWN

W. K. Brown served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WAYNE BROWN

Wayne Brown served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church (now Valley Road), Crestview.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLARD A. BROWN, SR.

Willard A. Brown, Sr. (1913-) graduated from Wake Forest College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. Brown moved to Florida in 1944 and served Baptist churches in Jacksonville, Bonifay, Pensacola, Callahan, and Daytona Beach, including Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola. He married Mary Christine Wilson and they had three children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM BROWN

William Brown served as pastor of West Bay Baptist Church, Panama City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EDWIN B. BROWNING, SR.

Edwin B. Browning Sr. (July 20, 1904-January 12, 1981) was born near Greenville, Florida. He was one of those local Baptist historians that did a great work in a small area, but was not widely known in publication circles. Browning was very active in Baptist life of Madison and Middle Florida Association. He wrote the histories of First Baptist Church in Madison and Concord Baptist Church. In 1976 he was responsible for researching and writing script for 17 historical markers in Madison County. He served 10 years as moderator of Middle Florida Association. Browning earned degrees from Florida Southern and Florida State. He served 30 years in public education in Florida.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, February 3, 1977, p. 6.
Madison County Carrier, October 23, 2003, p. 10a.

HOWARD BROWNING

Howard Browning served as pastor of Howard Carlisle Baptist Church, Panama City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES W. BROWNING

James W. Browning (1936-2014) was born in Madison, FL, the son of Edwin B and Louise Z Browning. He was a graduate of Florida State University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Browning pastored Orville Baptist Church (Kentucky), while a seminary student.  Florida pastorates include Indian Springs Baptist Church (Miccosukee), First Baptist Church of Archer, Lemon Heights Baptist Church (Palatka), and Tenth Street Baptist Church, now Suncoast Baptist Church (Palmetto).  He and his wife, Pat Browning, had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PAUL E. BROYLES

Paul E. Broyles was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky. He graduated from Campbellville College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Broyles served as pastor of College Park Baptist Church, Palatka. He served as a special consultant for the Florida Baptist Convention Church Training Department. Broyles and his wife Carol Ware Broyles have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SHAWN BRUCE

Shawn Bruce served as pastor of Osteen Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUGENE BRUNSON

Eugene Brunson (W. E.)  (1888-1973) was born in Crenshaw County, Alabama. He was a farmer and preacher. Brunson served as pastor in Alabama and Florida, including Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Pensacola and Pine Barren, Davisville. He married twice and had 14 children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

MAC BRUNSON

Mac Brunson, a native of Greenwood, South Carolina, graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv; DMin), Furman University and North Greenville University. Brunson served as pastor in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas and Florida. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (2006-2018).  In May, 2018, he was called as senior pastor of the Valleydale (Southern Baptist) Church, Birmingham, Ala.  Brunson and his wife Deb have three children: Courtney, Trey and Wills.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

COURTNEY E. D. BRYAN

Courtney E. D. Bryan served as pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, both of Gainesville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FULTON BRYAN

Fulton Bryan(1924-2013) was born in North Carolina to Baker McCall Bryan and Ada Canady Bryan. He was educated at Wake Forest College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was ordained to the ministry in 1943. He served as pastor of churches in North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Bryan served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blountstown, 1954-1957; First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs, 1957-1958; and Lake Park Chapel, West Palm Beach, 1958-1962. Bryan and his wife, Mary Frances had three sons.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SHEPPARD BRYAN

Sheppard Bryan served as pastor of North Central Baptist Church, Gainesville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. BRYAN

W. A. Bryan (April 24, 1858-May 29, 1932) was called to preach at eighteen years of age. He traveled thousands of miles in West Florida as a missionary. He served 24 different churches as pastor and served as moderator for West Florida Association from 1891-1903. Bryan served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Cottondale,1897-1899, Damascus, Oaky Ridge, Piney Grove, Bethlehem, Pleasant Hill, Compass Lake, Econfina, 1915-18, Ebenezer, and Youngstown. At one time he represented Washington County in the legislature. Bryan and his wife had four children. He served as editor of the Baptist Headlight in 1899.

Secondary Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1932.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. H. BRYAN

W. H. Bryan served as pastor of Piney Grove, Cottondale (1906-1910).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WAYNE D. BRYAN

Wayne D. Bryan received a Doctor of Theology degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1951. Bryan served as Professor of Old Testament at Baptist Bible Institute for seven years. Bryan and his wife Betty Sue retired to Birmingham, Alabama.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ANITA BRYANT

Anita Jane Bryant (b. 1940; ) was a native of Oklahoma, who became a renowned singer- performer and television personality, after having been crowned the 1959 Miss America.  She made a profession of faith in Christ in 1948 and continued to be a faithful Christian throughout her life.  Miss Bryant and her husband Bob Green re-located to Miami Beach in 1961 and subsequently became members of the Northwest Baptist Church, Miami, led by Homer Lindsey, Jr.  As a result of a “gay rights” ordinance being approved by the Metropolitan Dade County Commission, Anita Bryant became the leader and public face for the “Save Our Children” organization that led the campaign to repeal the “human rights ordinance.”  The effort resulted in the securing of sufficient signatures to make the issue a ballot referendum during a June, 1977, election.  The repeal vote was approved by voters in a 2 to 1 margin.  Subsequently, Miss Bryant led similar campaigns around the country.  Her pro-Christian advocacy against the gay-rights advocacy agenda resulted in a significant personal and financial loss of a lucrative secular entertainment career.  By 2020, Miss Bryant had re-located to Oklahoma City, Okla., and continued to lead the gospel music-oriented Anita Bryant International Ministries.  The couple have four children including: an adopted son Bobby, Jr. (b. 1963); a daughter Gloria Lynn (b. 1963); and twins William and Barbara Elisabet (b. 1969).

Secondary Source:
The Journal of Florida Baptist Heritage, Vol. 22, 2020
Florida Baptist Historical Society files

BEN P. BRYANT

Ben P. Bryant was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Miami, William Carey, College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bryand served as pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Milton before he moved to Starke. He celebrated 30 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Stark, on July 23, 2003. He retired in 2004.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 17, 2003. p. 10;
July 31, 2003, p. 5;
September 30, 2004, p. 15.

D. E. BRYANT

D. E. Bryant served as pastor of Central Avenue Baptist Church, Lake Wales, 1970-1992.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ED BRYANT

Ed Bryant served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel) and First Baptist Church, St. Catherine.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

EUGENE BRYANT

Eugene Bryant (1948-   ) was born in Norfolk, VA. He graduated from Simpson College, San Francisco, and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, CA. Bryant served as African-American church planting director for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1998-2002. He and his wife, Mildred Hayes Bryant have two daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

G. A. BRYANT

G. A. Bryant served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

H. H. BRYANT

In 1881 H. H. Bryant served as pastor of Concord Church in Madison County, and First Baptist Church, Blountstown.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Associational Minutes, 1881, p. 16.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. W. BRYANT

J. W. Bryant served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1906-1909.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES C. BRYANT

James C. Bryant (1931-2008) a native Floridian, graduated from Stetson University (B. A.), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. Div.), University of Miami (M. A.), and the University of Kentucky (Ph. D.). Bryant served as a pastor, professor, writer, administrator and civil servant. He was an ordained Baptist preacher for over 40 years and served as pastor in Florida, Kentucky and Georgia. He taught at Florida State University and Mercer University. He retired from Mercer in 2006, and he published numerous biographies, church histories and academic articles. James Bryant was a gifted researcher and writer. In 2012 he was honored by the Florida Baptist Historical Society for his literary contributions and especially for his authorship of the history of Indian Springs Baptist Church. He and his wife Marion Carnett Bryant had two sons, David and Albert.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JACK T. BRYANT

Jack T. Bryant (1910-1995) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Port Orange, Eau Gallie, and Oviedo. He and his wife Elsie Roper Bryant had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOSEPH EDWARD BRYANT

Joseph Edward Bryant (1890-1975) was the son of Granville Lee and Alma L. Hancock Bryant. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Linden, Sumter County, Tribly Baptist Church, Richland Baptist Church, Double Branch Baptist Church, and Clay Sink Baptist Church all in Pasco County. Bryant married Rosanna Witt in 1913 and she died in 1919. He later married Nannie Belle Pollard and they had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

LAMAR BRYANT

Lamar Bryant was pastor of Pleasant Grove in Cotton Plant from 1873-1880. He was also pastor of Stafford’s Pond (now First Baptist Church, Williston) and Wakahoota Church at Archer in 1875.

Secondary Source:
Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1873-1884.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PAUL W. BRYANT

Paul W. Bryant (1951-2000) was serving as the new Executive Director of the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association when he was killed in an automobile accident on his way to Lake Yale. Bryant had served as pastor in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida. He had served as pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church in Pensacola. Bryant was a native of Newton, Mississippi, and a graduate of Delta State, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Connie, had two daughters, Lori and Adrienne.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, December 14, 2000.

ROY BRYANT

Roy Bryant served as pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church, (now Polk City Baptist Church).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. BRYANT

W. A.Bryant served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILL BRYANT

Will Bryant served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel) and First Baptist Church, St. Catherine.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES LAZARUS BRYARS

James Lazarus Bryars (December 7, 1832-November 13, 1908) was born in Stockton, Alabama. His parents were Charles Edward Bryars and Catherine Margaret Hubbard Bryars. Both parents were born in South Carolina. Bryars served as pastor in Alabama and Florida. He helped organized Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in 1856, and Oak Grove Baptist Church in 1883 in Escambia County, Florida. Bryars was a circuit riding preacher in West Florida, and sometimes the circuit included 20 churches. He was pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Santa Rosa County, Pleasant Hill, and Pine Barren Baptist Churches. Bryers married Erin Elizabeth Miles in Escambia County, Florida on March 1, 1857. Upon her death, Bryers married Malinda Caroline Daily.

Secondary Source:
Judith Richbourg Jolly, Rev. James Lazarus Bryars.
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1908, p. 80.

JACK E. BRYMER, SR.


Jack E. Brymer Sr., (b. May 20, 1936; d. October 28, 2020), editor of the Florida Baptist Witness from 1984 until 1994, was a journalist and ordained minister, who “brought a new perspective to the Witness in that he came primarily as a journalist. His concern for fairness, full disclosure, honesty, and integrity is in the tradition of our best kind of Christian journalism,” said Jerry M. Windsor, former secretary-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Historical Society in a 2005 article about the editors of the state Baptist newspaper. A native of rural Jefferson County, Ala., Brymer was the third of six children. He attended and graduated from Samford University in Birmingham and received the master’s in journalism from the University of Alabama. He later was awarded an honorary doctorate from Judson University. After graduation from college, Brymer served as the managing editor of The Alabama Baptist until 1984.  After his departure from the Witness in 1994, he returned to Birmingham, serving in a variety of public relations, publications and communications roles at his alma mater, until his retirement in 2003. As an ordained minister, Brymer served in various capacities at several local churches, and as an active member of the Baptist Church of the Covenant in Birmingham. He was survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Jarman; a son, Jack Jr.; two daughters, Vicki and Carissa; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

O. CLINTON BUCHANON, JR.

O. Clinton Buchanon, Jr. (1956-   ) was born in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He graduated from the Florida Baptist Theological College, Graceville in 1999. Buchanon served as pastor of Westville Baptist Church and Lemon Heights Baptist Church. He and his wife Kay McCullough have one son.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

N. G. BUCKLEY

N. G. Buckley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, High Springs.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

GARY L. BUCKNER

Gary L. Buckner is a native of Texas. He graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Buckner has served as pastor of churches in Texas and Florida, including Lake Carroll Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

J. B. BUFFINGTON

J. B. Buffington (1923-2009) was born in Morriston, FL to John and Irene Buffington. Buffington served as a pilot in the United States Army Air-Corps during World War II. He was called to preach in 1946 and ordained in 1950. Buffington graduated from Tennessee Temple College and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol and Calvary Baptist Church, Lakeland. He and his wife Betty Jane married in 1944.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES B. BUGG

Charles B. Bugg (1942-) graduated from Stetson University, 1965 and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1969, 1972. Bugg served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie, Deland, Powers Drive Baptist Church, Orlando, and First Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. He also taught preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky during the 1990s. He and his wife, Diane, have two children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, November 25, 1982, p. 6.

R. W. BUGG

R. W. Bugg served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville and First Baptist Church, High Springs.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. F. BULLINGTON

W. F. Bullington served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1961-1965.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BOB BUMGARNER

Bob Bumgarner was elected Director of the Church Development Division of the Florida Baptist Convention in 2006. Bumgarner was born in Austin, Texas and he served as associate Director of the Pastoral Ministries Department (1997-2000); Director of Pastor/Staff Leadership, (2000-2004) and then Director of the Office of Leadership Development (2004-2006). Bumgarner graduated from Wichita State University (B. S. ) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He served as pastor of Amanda Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio (1988- 1991) and served as executive pastor of Arlington Baptist Church in Jacksonville (1991-1997).

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 28, 2006, p. 4.

KEVIN BUMGARNER

Kevin Bumgarner (b. 1966) holds the “unique” distinction as having served as the final editor of the print version of the Florida Baptist Witness before its 2017 dissolution as a cooperating ministry (agency) of the Florida Baptist State Convention.  His editorship was from February, 2014, to July, 2017.  Prior to going to the Florida Baptist Witness in 2014, Bumgarner worked at a variety of secular media including (and his years of service): the Pacific Business News (2010 – 2014), the Dallas Business Journal (2007 – 2010) and the Triad Business Journal in Greensboro, N.C. (1998 – 2007).  His previous experience also included serving as business editor of The Huntsville (Ala.) Times (1997-1998) and various positions with the Wichita Business Journal (1990 – 1997).  A native of Derby, Kansas, a small suburb outside Wichita, Bumgarner was a 1988 graduate of Wichita State University.  In December of that year, Bumgarner married Melanie Moore. The couple had three children – two sons and a daughter.  In August, 2017, Bumgarner, age 51, announced that he had been called to serve as director of communications at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida.  Subsequently, in 2020, he accepted the duo position of editor and publisher of the Kodiak (Alaska) Daily Mirror.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HARPER BUMPERS

Harper Bumpers (1935-2017) grew up in Fulton, Alabama. He graduated from Stetson University and Luther Rice Seminary. In 2013, he and the St. Augustine Baptist Church celebrated 40 years that Bumpers had served as pastor. Bumpers served in the Korean War and went as pastor of First Baptist Church in Bayard in 1973. The Bayard church moved to the Mandarin Community of Jacksonville in 1986 and became St. Augustine Road Baptist Church. He and his first wife True Bumpers were married for 45 years until her death, they had three children. He was survived by his second wife of 15 years, Gerrie Bumpers.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, May 9, 2013, p. 8.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JERRELL BUNN

Jerrell Bunn served as pastor of Rocky Bayou Baptist Church, 1977-1980.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM H. BUNKLEY

William H. Bunkley is the son of Walter G. and Laura Aurora Bunkley. He served as Legislative Consultant for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1996-2011. In 2012, he served as the Florida Baptist Convention President of the Florida Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Inc. Bunkley is a long-serving radio personality hosting the Bill Bunkley Show on FaithTalk 570AM and 910AM. He and his wife Toni have one son.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

D. E. BURDESHAW

D. E. Burdeshaw served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WAYNE BURDESHAW

Wayne Burdeshaw served as pastor of Hobe Sound Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES W. BURDGES

Charles W. Burdges (1874-1963) was a native of South Carolina. He moved to Jacksonville in the early 1920s, and was ordained in 1923. He organized Hogan Church, Ramona Boulevard Church, and Cedar Creek Church, all in the Jacksonville area.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 24, 1963.

L. D. BURDICK

L. D. Burdick served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1911.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

TIM BURDIN

Tim Burdin (1964- ) was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He was licensed (1995) and ordained (1996) to preach at the Bloomsdale Baptist Church in Bloomsdale, Missouri. He graduated from the Baptist College of Florida in 2013 and served as pastor in Missouri and New Hope Baptist Church, Westville, FL. Burden married Kathy L. Mosier in 1984.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CHARLES W. BURGESS

Charles W. Burgess served as pastor of Hogan Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Source:
History Hogan Baptist Church, p. 31.

DON BURGESS

Don Burgess (1941-2001) was killed in a tragic head on automobile crash when an escaped prisoner in a stolen vehicle hit him on the Hammock Dunes toll bridge. Burgess was pastor of Hammock First Baptist Church in Flagler Beach. He was a graduate of the Baptist College of Florida, and was licensed and ordained by First Baptist Church in Palmetto. Burgess had served as the pastor of the First Baptist Churches of Fort McCoy, Panacea, and Otter Creek. He had also served as pastor of Hasty Pond near Marianna and Sugarloaf Key. Burgess had served in prison ministry in Dothan, Alabama, and Trenton. He and his wife, Joan, had two daughters, Brenda and Colleen, and five sons, Maurice, Kevin, Keenan, Tim, and Karl.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 11, 2001.

T. G. BURGESS

T. G. Burgess served as pastor of Berrydale Baptist Church, and Cora Baptist Church, both of Jay.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CLYDE BURKE

Clyde Burke (1884-1988) had the distinction of being the oldest living Baptist preacher in Florida when he died at age 104 in Sarasota. Burke was a native of Tennessee. He attended Carson-Newman College in Tennessee, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Venice, Florida, 1952-1954; Bayshore Gardens Chapel, 1956-1957; First Baptist Church, Arcadia, 1958; and Pine Island Baptist Church, 1962. On his 100th birthday he preached the morning service at Bay Haven Baptist Church in Sarasota. The church gave him a typewriter in celebration of his 100th birthday. He and his wife, Lorena Mathis Burke, had two daughters, Colleen and Helen, and two sons, Warren and Ted.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 29, 1988, p. 10.

HAL C. BURKE

Hal C. Burke (1947-   ) was born in Statesboro, GA. He graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977-1988, Burke served with Baptist Campus Ministries Orlando area and in 1988, FSU, Tallahassee, for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Cathy Kautz Burke have one daughter.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

M. F. BURKE

M. F. Burke was a pioneer preacher in the West Florida Baptist Association and died in 1906.

Source:
West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1906, p. 19.

R. E. BURKE

R. E. Burke served as pastor of Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, 1925-1926 and First Baptist Church, Macclenny, 1926-1927.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. R. BURKE

R. R. Burke served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN G. BURKHALTER

John G. Burkhalter wrote God was on the Beach D-Day as an open letter in the Florida Baptist Witness after D-Day in 1944. He served as a chaplain in the First Division, and went in the first day of invasion. His invasion account is personal, vivid, and moving. Burkhalter served as pastor of West Flagler Park Baptist Church in Miami for eight years before entering the chaplaincy in November 1942. Mrs. Burkhalter and their baby daughter, Mabel Jean, lived with Mrs. Burkhalter’s mother in Crawfordville, Indiana, during the war.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, August 24, 1944, pp. 1,4.

WILLIAM BURKHALTER

William Burkhalter graduated from Florida State University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. He served with the International Mission Board as a missionary for seventeen years, primarily in Bangladesh and Indonesia. Burkhalter has served as pastor of First Baptist Pine Castle since 2001. He and his wife Joyce have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BARNEY BURKS, JR.

Barney Burks, Jr. (1930-2017) was born in Birmingham, AL the son of Mamie Lou and Barney B. Burks, Sr. He served as a pilot in the Air Force during the Korean war. Burk was a business owner and served as mayor of Pensacola from 1973-1977. In 1977, Burks served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Burks and his wife Peggy had five children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BARNEY BURKS, SR.

Barney Burks, Sr. (1901-1975) was called to preach at age 24. Burks graduated from Howard College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served for over 50 years as a pastor in Alabama, Kentucky and Florida. Burks and his wife Lou Parker Burks had seven children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. W. BURNETT

C. W. Burnett served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1920-1921.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

E. ALLEN BURNETT

E. Allen Burnett (1890-1971) was born in Augusta, Georgia, but spent most of his life in Florida. He was pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala, Gainesville (1920), Williston (1920-1922) First Baptist Church, Stuart (1925-1927), Avondale in Jacksonville (1928-1929), First Baptist Church, Maysville, Kentucky (1929-1936). First Baptist Church, Frostproof (1936-1941), First Baptist Church, LaBelle and Crystal Springs Baptist Church. Burnett married Eloise Smoak of Ocala and they had two sons, James and Edward. Burnett remained a member of the Frostproof church until his death January 17, 1971.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

HEARD T. BURNETTE

Heard T. Burnette (1905-1989) served as pastor of Lake Carroll Baptist Church, Tampa; Lutz Baptist Church; Youmans Baptist Church; Pine Island Baptist Church; Eastside Baptist Church, Tampa; Whitehurst Baptist Church; Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City; and Faulkenburg Baptist Church, Tampa. He was married to Jessie Pearl Grover Burnette (1907-1955) and they had one daughter and one son. After the death of his first wife, Burnette married Thelma G. Burnette.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT S. BURNEY

Robert S. Burney (1933-2003) was a native of Plant City. Burney and his wife Edith were appointed by the International Mission Board as missionaries to Nigeria in 1967. Burney served as professor of Greek and New Testament at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary at Ogbomosho. The Burney’s retired in 1996. The couple had two children; Robert B. and Elizabeth.

Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 4, 2003, p. 10.

B. W. BURNS

B. W. Burns (1872-1969) served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna from 1948 to 1954.

Secondary Source:
Leitch, Christ Centered Century, pp. 22-30.

C. L. BURNS

C. L. Burns served as pastor of Piney Grove, Cottondale (1911-1914) and First Baptist Church, Cottondale (1909-1912).

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JAMES MICHAEL BURNS

James Michael Burns (August 13, 1943- ) was born in Velasco, Texas. He attended the University of Houston (B.S., 1970), and Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary (M.R.E., 1974; Ph.D., 1981). Burns served on the church staff of Baptist Temple of Houston, Texas, Timbergrove Baptist Church in Houston, and First Baptist Church, Everman, Texas. Burns joined the faculty at the Baptist College of Florida in 1979, and is Professor of Christian Counseling and head of the Counseling Department. Burns married Nancy Goodrum on May 30, 1970, and they have two sons; Timothy (1976) and Christopher (1980).

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

L. E. BURNS

L. E. Burns served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ensley.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

R. T. BURNS

R. T. Burns served as pastor of Odessa Baptist Church, Tampa, Summerfield Baptist Church, Tampa and Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City. Burns and his wife had twelve children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

W. A. BURNS

W. A. Burns (1872-1969) died May 12, 1969. He and his wife were natives of Kentucky, and he was a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Stetson University in Florida. In Florida he served as pastor of First Baptist Quincy, Panama City, Chipley, Chattahoochee, Havana, Dade City, and Greenwood. He and his wife celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 4, 1967, in Bonifay, Florida.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, July 13, 1967, p. 8.

WILLIAM MARSHALL BURNS

William Marshall Burns served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston and in 1942 as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milton, and went in 1943 as pastor of First Baptist Church in Madison.

Secondary Source:
Joe Bamberg. The History of First Baptist Church of Milton, Florida. pp. 36-37.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM M. BURR

William Burr served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Longwood and Grace Baptist Church, Clermont.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society.

A. JUDSON BURRELL

A. Judson Burrell (   -1999) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bradenton, Florida in 1944 and Rose Hill Baptist Church, GA 1964. He and his wife, Martha C. Burrell, had three children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 6, 1944, p. 1.

TED BURRELL

Ted Burrell was ordained by Rose Hill Baptist Church, Columbus, GA. He was the founding pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church, Ocala, 1991-1994. He served as pastor of Fort McCoy Baptist Church. He and his wife Barbara Eubanks Burrell have two daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Ocala Star Banner, July 26, 2005.

BOB BURROUGHS

Bob Burroughs (1937-   ) was born in Tazewell, VA. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Burroughs served on the music faculty of Samford University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. He was for eight years, 1994-2002, Director of the Church Music Department, Florida Baptist Convention. Burroughs and his wife, Esther have two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RUFUS D. BURROWS

Rufus D. Burrows was pastor of the Baptist church at Apalachicola in 1885. The church was begun on December 18, 1848 with seven black and three white members. The church was begun by Thomas J. Bowen of Gadsden County and John R. Jones of Jackson County. In 1885 Burrows appealed to Baptists to help them raise $1500 for a house of worship. Burrows reported that there was no Baptist church within 135 miles of Apalachicola.

Secondary Source:
Christian Index, April 12, 1849
Florida Baptist Witness, June 18, 1885; August 13, 1885
Florida Baptist Convention Annuals of 1891 and 1903.

DALE D. BURTON, JR.

Dale D. Burton, Jr. (1925-1986) was born in Dayton, Ohio. Burton served as pastor of Northeast Baptist Church, Miami from 1971 until his death in 1986.

Source:
Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1986, p. 2.

DAVID E. BURTON

David E. Burton graduated from Union University, Jackson, TN and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Cinco Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, 1987-1989. In 1989 Burton became the Associate Evangelism Director fot he State and in 2002, he became the Director of Evangelism Division for the Florida Baptist Convention. In 2005, Burton began a non-profit ministry, David Burton Ministries. He and his wife Kathy had two children.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

O. E. BURTON

O. E. Burton died January 15, 1971. He served as pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and served for 17 years as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater. Burton and his wife, Martha, had two daughters; Cheryl and Susan, and three sons; O. E. Jr., Douglas, and Tom.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, January 28, 1971, p. 8.

BEN BUSH

Ben Bush serves as pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Live Oak.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

BO BUSH, JR.

Bo Bush, Jr serves as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Lake City.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. V. BUSSELL

C. V. Bussell served as pastor of South Miami Baptist Church from 1934-1942 and Poinciana Chapel, Key West from 1943-1944.

Source:
Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1934-1944.

A. W. BUSSEY

A. W. Bussey served as pastor in Georgia and Florida including First Baptist Church, Fort Pierce. Bussey also served as Associational Missionary for Indian River Baptist Association.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

PAUL BUSTER

Paul Buster (1950-   ) a Seminole Indian, was born in Big Cypress, Florida, the son of Junior and Mary Annie Osceola Buster. He graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. Buster serves as pastor of First Seminole Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale. Buster’s first marriage was to Daisy Jumper and they had three sons. He married Meg Buster and they have two daughters.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. M. BUTLER

A. M. Butler was pastor of Seaboard Park Baptist Church in 1928 and Little River Baptist Church (now Good News Little River).

Source:
1928 Miami Baptist Association Minutes, p. 28.

ALTON BUTLER

Alton Butler served as pastor of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church in Pensacola. He served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1981.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, November 20, 1980, p. 5.

E. WINSTON BUTLER

E. Winston Butler graduated from Graham Bible College in North Carolina, Moody Bible Institute, and Bible Institute in Orlando. He served as pastor
of Philadelphia Church in McAlpin, and went as pastor of Southside in Lake City in 1980.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 16, 1980, p. 6.

JOSEPH BUTLER

Joseph Butler is a native of Quincy, Florida, and graduated from William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as
pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna, Florida, and Parkview Baptist Church in Lake City. In 2006 he became director of missions of the Black
Creek Baptist Association with offices in Orange Park. In 2014 Butler became pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula. He and his wife, Aimee, have four children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, April 13, 2006, p. 11.
May 22, 2014, p. 4.

MITCH BUTLER

Mitch Butler served as pastor of Venetia Terrace Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

RIC BUTLER

Ric Butler served as pastor of Warrington Baptist Church, Pensacola.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIE BUTLER

Willie Butler (1937-2015) retired in 2003 after serving 13 years as pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Chipola Association. Butler and his wife
Jo Ann had two daughters.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, September 11, 2003.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

E. WINSTON BUTLER

E. Winston Butler graduated from Graham Bible College in North Carolina, Moody Bible Institute, and Bible Institute in Orlando. He served as pastor
of Philadelphia Church in McAlpin, and went as pastor of Southside in Lake City in 1980. In 1994, Butler became pastor of Dinsmore Baptist Church,
Jacksonville. He and his wife Debi have two children.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Witness, October 16, 1980, p. 6.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

A. A. BUTNER

A. A. Butner (1927-2014) was born in Hartselle, Alabama, the son of Marion T. and Lola Butner. He served as pastor of Six Mile Creek Baptist Church, Tampa, and Bethany Baptist Church, Tampa. Butner and his wife, Erma Lee Butner had two children. After the dead of his first wife Butner married Estelle Butner in 1996.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. M. BUTTON

C. M. Button served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Callahan.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JEFF BUTTS

Jeff Butts served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Mary Esther, 1959-1971 and Forest Heights Baptist Church, 1976-1977.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

C. K. BYERLY

C. K. Byerly graduated from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie, Merritt Park Baptist Church, Brevard County and Orsino Baptist Church, Brevard County.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

SHEPPARD BYRAN

Sheppard Byran (1910-1999) was born in Greenville, AL. He graduated from Samford University, Brimingham and Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth. Byran served  in the US Army Air Force during World War II as a Chaplain. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone (1934-1935), First Baptist Church, and North Central Baptist Church, Gainesville. His wife Mary Frances Baker Byran preceded him in death.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FOY C. BYRD

Foy C. Byrd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

ROBERT BYRD

Robert Byrd served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church, 1961-1963.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

TERRIEL R. BYRD

Terriel R. Byrd (March 4, 1956- ) was born in Oxford, Ohio, to Charles Otis Byrd and Geneva Brown Byrd. He attended Cincinnati Bible College (A.S.), Miami University at Oxford (B.Ph., M.A.), Union Institute, and University at Cincinnati (Ph.D.). He served as pastor and campus ministries director in Ohio before coming to Florida. He is currently Assistant Professor of Religion and Director of Urban Ministries Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He and his wife, Toni Moore Byrd, have three daughters, Kasha, Terra, and Rachel.

Secondary Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM O. BYRD, JR.

William O. Byrd, Jr. served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ensley and Armenia Baptist Church, Tampa.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

E. MCCOY BYNUM

E. McCoy Bynum was ordained as a Baptist minister in June, 1938. He graduated from Bob Jones College (1935) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1943). Bynum served as a U. S. Navy chaplain during WWII. He has served as pastor in churches in Florida, Alabama and Texas. Bynum also served as Promotional Secretary for Missions, Pensacola Bay Baptist Association and Director of Missions, Big Lake Baptist Association. He was pastor of Highland Baptist Church, Molino from 1969-1971. Bynum married Evelyn Roton in 1937 and they had two sons Eugene, Jr. and Robert.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

CARL BYORK

Carl Byork served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.