Biographies D

November 23, 2020

Biographies F

November 23, 2020

Biographies E

B. L. EARNEST

B. L. Earnest served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs and Grove Street Baptist Church, Gainesville.

CLIFTON EARNEST

Clifton Earnest served as pastor of Tribly Baptist Church, Pasco County, 1963.

E. E. EARNEST

E. E. Earnest (1912-1998) served as pastor of churches in Alabama and Florida for 47 years in his ministry, including Pine Grove Baptist Church, Trenton, FL (1944-1946) and Knights Baptist Church, Plant City (1952-1953). He and his wife, Julia, had three daughters, Theresa, Sue, and Freda.

E. T. EARNEST

E. T. Earnest was the son of David U. and Callie Whidden Earnest. He was ordained by Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Avon Park in 1934. Earnest served as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Hardee County, 1943-1946; Midway Baptist Church, Plant City, 1947-1950; Charlotte Harbor Baptist Church, Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City, and Azelea Baptist Church.

GANS EARNEST

Gans Earnest (1925-2016) was a bi-vocational pastor with 20 years of service in Florida where he served as principal of Eastpoint Elementary and Pastor of Eastpoint Baptist Church, while residing in Apalachicola. He also served as pastor of Treasure Island Baptist Church, Buckhead Ridge Baptist Church both of Okeechobee. Earnest and his wife Maude Norman Earnest had three daughters and two sons.

ROBERT EARNEST

Robert Earnest served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

WAYNE EARNEST

Wayne Earnest graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor of churches in Texas and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Fort Ogden. Earnest and his wife Nannette have two daughters.

J. A. EASON

J. A. Eason served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka.

ROY EASTERLY

Roy Easterly (1918-1977) served in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He served as pastor of Franklin Street Baptist Church from 1964 to 1971 in Jacksonville, and was pastor of First Baptist Church in Umatilla at the time of his death. He and his wife, Anita, had two daughters.

EDDIE EATON

Eddie Eaton served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville.

HUGH EBERHART

Hugh Eberhart served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 1954-1955.

JEFF ECKERT

Jeff Eckert serves as pastor of Grace Life Beachside Church, Ormond Beach.

J. F. EDEN

J. F. Eden left the Bunker Hill Church in Illinois to become pastor of the Gainesville Baptist Church in 1887. Eden left the Gainesville Church to become pastor of the Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, Georgia.

JAMES OTTO EDEN

James Otto Eden (1932-2005) served as a bi-vocational minister in a number of churches before he retired from a phone company. Eden was serving as
pastor of Sunny Hills Baptist Church (1998-2005) at the time of his death. He and his wife of 53 years, Janie, had two sons, Kip and Paul, and two
daughters, Becky and Kristi.

DAVID EDENFIELD

David Edenfield served as pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka.

GEORGE EDENS, SR.

George Edens, Sr. (1921-1990) was a native of Okolona, Mississippi. He served as pastor in Alabama and Florida. In Florida he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Blountstown, and Holmes Creek in Chipley. He and his wife, Edith, had two sons, George Jr. and Mark.

J. A. EDGE

J. A. Edge served as pastor of Lemon City Baptist Church in 1909.

EARL B. EDINGTON

Earl B. Edington (c 1904-June 27, 1989) served as pastor of First Baptist Church in St. Petersburg for 27 years, from 1944 to 1971. He was a native of Tennessee, and had served as pastor in Goodwater, Rockford, Attalla, and Birmingham, Alabama, before going to St. Petersburg. He and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, had one child. Edington served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1951.

V. M. EDLIN

V. M. Edlin was pastor of Biscayne Gardens Mission in 1943.

CLAY E. EDMONDSON

Clay E. Edmondson served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

J. OLLIE EDMUNDS

J. Ollie Edmunds (March 1, 1903-April 2, 1984) holds the honor of being the only Stetson alumnus to become president of the school. He came to serve (1948-1967) without even having been a professional educator. He was a lawyer, judge, and businessman. He had faithfully served the school on the board of trustees and came to the presidential post as an able fund raiser. He had served as County Judge of Duval County, and was a candidate for the United States Senate when he ran against Claude Pepper. More than a dozen new buildings were built in the Edmunds years, and he served as the state’s first president of the Association of American Colleges in 1957. Upon his resignation in 1967, the trustees appointed Edmunds the first Stetson chancellor. Edmunds served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1961.

ARTHUR B. EDWARDS

Arthur B. Edwards graduated from Stetson University, DeLand and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Fairfield Baptist Church, Forest City Baptist Church and Hyde Park Baptist Church, Jacksonville. Edwards and his wife Janet Vasser Edwards have two children.

C. H. EDWARDS

C. H. Edwards was pastor of Lemon City Baptist Church in 1905 and Lemon City, Silver Palm and Cocoa Plum churches in 1906.

D. J. EDWARDS

D. J. Edwards served as pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church), Polk County and Alafia Baptist Church.

DANIEL EDWARDS

Daniel Edwards (1804-1868) was born in Effingham County, GA, the son of Obediah and Tabitha Pitts Edwards. He served faithfully in the Alachua Association, and died in 1868. He served as moderator in Alachua Association (1854-1860), and as pastor of New Providence and Wacahoota. He died at Crystal River in 1868. In 1848 Edwards was pastor of Fellowship and N. Providence in Marion County and Fort Clark in Alachua County. In 1858 Edwards served as pastor of Stafford’s Pond Prairie, Williston. Edwards and his wife Mariah Jane Tyner Edwards had seven children.

E. EDWARDS

E. Edwards served as pastor of First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg.

ELWYN G. EDWARDS
Elwyn G. Edwards died September 1, 2000. He was a native of Tampa, and a graduate of Stetson and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He retired as a Chaplain at the rank of Colonel in the United States Army. After retirement he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Chassahowitzka, Suncoast Baptist Church in Homosassa Springs and Satsuma Baptist Church. He and his wife, Lavonne, had a daughter, Dawana, and a son, Clay.

FRANK C. EDWARDS
Frank C. Edwards (1870-1922) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston and First Baptist Church, Crystal River. Edwards also served as editor of the Florida Baptist Witness.

J. EDWARDS

J. Edwards served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church.

VIRGIL EDWARDS

Virgil Edwards (1920-1990) served as director of the day ministry at Inwood Baptist Church in Winter Haven for 25 years. He and his wife, Jane, had a daughter, Donna Sue, who followed her father into the ministry of interpretation and deaf ministry.

WALTER H. EDWARDS

Walter H. Edwards (1885-1960) was a native of Jackson, Tennessee. He graduated from Union University, Jackson, TN. Edwards served as pastor of Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, 1936-1946; North Pleasant Baptist Church, Alachua, 1947-1953; Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City, 1953-1956; Second Baptist Church, Fort Myers, Bethel Baptist Church, Dania (24 years) and St. James City Baptist Church. He and his wife, Virdie Edwards had three children. Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM EDWARDS

William Edwards was the first missionary of Pensacola Bay Baptist Association, which organized in1887. His November, 1888 Edwards reported at the annual meeting the organization of Shady Grove Baptist Church, (now First Baptist Church, Jay), assisted by F. W. Abbott. Edwards served as pastor of Milton Baptist Church. He married Annie M. Edwards about 1876. Edwards died in 1911.

DANIEL EGIPCIACO

Daniel Egipciaco was appointed a national church planting missionary to South Florida in 2009. He is also serving as pastor of Relevant Baptist Church in Miami. Daniel earned a B.A. degree in Christian Ministry at Trinity International University. His wife Karina earned a B.A. from Trinity and a M.S. from Saint Thomas University. They have one son, Daniel.

C. E. EILAND

C. E. Eiland served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Belle Glade, 1966-1967.

CHARLES CAREY EILAND

Charles Carey Eiland (1885-1946) was the son of Christopher Columbus Eiland. He served as pastor of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Milligan Baptist Church, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, 1922-1927, and First Baptist Church, Bagdad, 1942-1946.

CLARENCE H. EILAND

Clarence H. Eiland (1919-1992) was born in Crenshaw County, AL the son of Charles Carey and Annie Gay Eiland. He served as pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church, Pensacola (1944-1945) and First Baptist Church, Kissimmee. Eiland and his wife Corabell Golden Eiland had one daughter.

MARVIN EILAND

Marvin Eiland (1924-2017) was born in Odessa, Florida, the son of Levi Daniel and Frieda Marie Bolling Eiland. He was ordained into the gospel ministry in 1954. Eiland served as pastor of churches in South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida. He was the founding pastor of First Baptist Church, Inglis in 1963 and served as pastor of Brooklyn Baptist Church in 1956. Eiland and his wife Lillie Mae Triest Eiland had two sons.

BOB EISENBURG

Bob Eisenburg served as pastor of Northbay Baptist Church, Niceville 1985-1991.

BURROUGHS ELDRIDGE

Burroughs Eldridge was pastor at Boynton Baptist Church in 1925.

LEROY ELDRIDGE

LeRoy Eldridge served as pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Titusville (1997-2010). Eldridge and his wife Shirley had their four sons, Jon, Peter, Dan and Josh.

A. R. ELKS

A. R. Elks served as pastor of Jackson Heights Baptist Church, Tampa.

W. ADAIR ELLEN

W. Adair Ellen served as pastor of South Biscayne Baptist Church, North Port.

W. B. ELLENWOOD

W. B. Ellenwood served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Mary.

BILL ELLER

Bill Eller served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone, (1993-1994).

ALEXANDER CLARENCE ELLERBE

Alexander Clarence Ellerbe (1893-1957) was born in Lakeland, Florida, the son of John Alexander “Jack” and Minnie Lee Murray Ellerbe. He was ordained in 133 at Vitis Baptist Church, Richland. Ellerbe established churches wherever he went, working as an engineer with the State Road Department, he would survey the area and locate a need for a local church. Ellerbe married Rachel Whidden in 1913 and they had nine children.

T. B. ELLERBEE

T. B. Ellerbee served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

RICHARD ELLIGSON

Richard Elligson and his wife Cheryl and family served as Southern Baptist Convention International missionaries to Brazil for five years (2000-2005). Elligson then became a professor of missions at the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. He and his wife Cheryl have two children, Angela and Ricky.

GEORGE R. ELLIN

George R. Ellin was pastor of Hollywood Baptist Church in 1941.

LARRY R. ELLINGTON

Larry R. Ellington was born in Burlington, NC. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Ellington served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Welaka. He and his wife Juanita have two sons.

THOMAS ELLINGTON

Thomas Ellington ( -1983) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ellington served as pastor of churches in North Carolina and Florida, including Tenth Street Baptist Church, Palmetto; First Baptist Church, Pine Castle; Bay Street Baptist Church, Eustis; and Central Baptist Church, Melbourne. Ellington was instrumental in organizing Ellenton Florida Mission and Lake Barton Mission. He served as Director of Missions for the Orange Blossom Baptist Association (now Greater Orlando). Ellington and his wife, Lois Voyles Ellington had two daughters.

ED ELLIOTT

Ed Elliott (1939-2000) died while serving as pastor of Green Pond Baptist Church in Polk City. He and his wife, Caren, had two children, Kevin and Jodi.

LARRY E. ELLIOTT

Larry E. Elliott (1942- ) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Hopeville, Georgia. He was converted and joined First Baptist Church in Hopeville in 1954. He was called to preach and licensed by the Hopeville Baptist Church, and ordained by the University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Elliott attended Carson-Newman College in Tennessee receiving his B.A. in 1964. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological (M.Div., 1968), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min., 1978). He completed the Air Force Chaplain’s School and served for over 30 years (1971-2002) in the Florida Air National Guard. He was Senior Chaplain and was awarded the Florida Cross by the state of Florida for outstanding military chaplain service. Elliott served as pastor in Texas and Florida. He was pastor of Hogan Baptist Church, Jacksonville. He worked with the Florida Baptist Convention staff from 1979 to the present. He has worked in the area of church-community relations, Black church relations, mission ministries, church planning, and revitalization since joining the convention staff. He and his wife, Ellen, have two sons, Kevin and Larry Jr.

CARLTON B. ELLIS

Carlton B. Ellis served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Niceville and Pinecrest Baptist Church, (now Rosemont Baptist Church, Niceville, 1957-1965.

CLEVE ELLIS

Cleve Ellis served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

CLINT ELLIS

Clint Ellis graduated from Troy University (BS), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. Div, D. Min.). He served as pastor of Holmes
Creek Baptist Church, Chipley and became pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Tallahassee in 2016. He and his wife Kristen have three children.

DALLAS ELLIS

Dallas Ellis graduated from Chipola College, West Florida University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2005 he became pastor of
Providence Baptist Church, Grand Ridge. He and his wife, Cathy, have three children.

FRANK V. ELLIS

Frank V. Ellis served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Fort Pierce; First Baptist Church, New Smyrna and King’s Baptist Church, Vero Beach. He and his wife, Terri Ellis have three sons.

G. C. ELLIS

G. C. Ellis served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville.

JAMES ELLIS

James Ellis served as pastor of Ferris Hill Baptist Church, Milton.

JAMES W. ELLIS, SR.

James W. Ellis, Sr. (1918-1970) graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Lakeland. He served as pastor of Green Pond Baptist Church, Polk City, West Thonotosassa Baptist Church, Cherry Lake Baptist Church, Madison, First Baptist Church, Palm City and Calvary Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs. Ellis and his wife Wyona Eudoa Ellis had three children.

MATTHEW ELLIS

Matthew Ellis graduated from Lexington Bible College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Donaldson Baptist
Church, Princeton, Kentucky, and in 2006, became pastor of First Baptist Church, Brooksville. He and his wife, Kim, have three sons.

PIERCE S. ELLIS

Pierce S. Ellis served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando.

T. J. ELLIS

T. J. Ellis (1902-1984) was a native of Wellborn, and was ordained there at Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1937. He served numerous churches in Florida as pastor. He served at Rocky Sink, Friendship and Pine Level in Live Oak, Hardeetown, Priscilla, and Ebenezer in Chiefland, McCrab, Sand Pond, Old Town, Crewsville, and New Hope in Wauchula, Evergreen in Lake City, Moseley Hall in Greenville, Forest Grove in Alachua, and Union in Newberry. He and his wife, Lucille, had four daughters; Elizabeth, Iris, Linda, and Mavis, and two sons; Bill and Jerry.

J. W. ELLISON

J. W. Ellison served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

PAUL S. ELMORE

Paul S. Elmore (1956- ) was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Stetson University. Elmore has served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Parrish, Cornerstone Baptist Mission, Bay Haven Baptist Church, Sarasota and Clearview Baptist Church, St. Petersburg. He and his wife Diane Andersen Elmore have two daughters.

OMA DELL ELY

Oma Dell Ely graduated from Wayland Baptist College, Texas Tech University and Southwestern Theological Seminary. She served as the president of the WMU, Florida Baptist Convention. Oma Dell married William Mount Ely, December 21, 1968. They had two children.

CHARLES B. EMERY

Charles B. Emery (1906-1983) served during the days of multiple pastorates. In 1946 he was pastor of Dunns Creek, Oak Grove, Pleasant Point, and Ogilvie of the Jacksonville area at the same time. He became full time pastor of Dunne Creek when it was constituted in 1947, and served the church for 20 years. He also served as pastor of Holly Brook and Hollyford in the Jacksonville area. He and his wife, Mabel, had two daughters, Mary and June, and one son, Henry.

DEAN O. EMERY

Dean O. Emery was born in Orlando, FL, 1963. He graduated from Warner Southern College, Lake Wales and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Emery served with the Florida Baptist Men’s Department of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife Gretchen Bates Emery had one son.

DAMIAN EMETUCHE

Damian Emetuche was born in Nigeria, 1963. He graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. Emetuche served as Field Missionary, Central-Florida Region, English-speaking Church Planting Team for the Florida Baptist Convention. He serves as pastor of Clermont Central Baptist Church, Clermont. Emetuche and his wife Catherine have five children.

DALLAS ENFINGER

Dallas Enfinger (1930-2003) was born in Dothan, Alabama, the son of Raleigh Dallas and Lannie Deal Enfinger. He attended Stetson University. Enfinger served as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church, Glendale Baptist Church, Vero Beach, and Northside Baptist Church, Okeechobee. In 1962, he organized the First Baptist Church, Big Pine Key. Enfinger and his wife Elsie Stamps Enfinger had two children.

FILLMORE L. ENFINGER

Fillmore L. Enfinger (1932-2014) was the son of Wiley and Mattie Enfinger. He was a lifelong resident of Escambia County and served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Enfinger was ordained by Farm Hill Baptist Church in 1970. During his ministry, he pastored Eighth Ave. Baptist Church, Beulah, Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, McDavid, Six Mile Creek Baptist Church, Tampa, and First Baptist of Cottage Hill, Cantonment. Enfinger and his wife, Mary Fant; had three sons.

JOSEPH ENGEL

Joseph Engel (1902-1982) served as a pastor in Florida. He organized First Baptist Church in Naples in 1945, and Calvary Baptist Church in Perry in 1961. He and his wife, Beatrice, had one daughter, Evelyn, and two sons, David and Robert.

CLAUDE EDWARD ENGLISH

Claude Edward English (1948-2021) was born in Dinsmore, Florida, the son of Frank H. and Shirley English. He was licensed to preach, 1982 and ordained in 1983 by Richland Baptist Church. He served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills (three times) and Fellowship Baptist Church, Zephyrhills. English married Donna Lou Taylor in 1979 and they had five children.

H. C. ENGLISH

H. C. English served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Stuart.

HARVEY LEE ENGLISH

Harvey Lee English served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville and First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka.

J. B. ENGLISH

J. B. English served as pastor of First Baptist Church, DeLand.

LLOYD JEFFIE ENGLISH

Lloyd Jeffie English (1915-1983) the son of James Reddin and Irvie Ada (Deshong) English, was from the Plant City area and was baptized in 1923. He answered the call to preach at the Springhead Baptist Church in 1937 and was ordained on May 19, 1944 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Plant City. He attended Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville and Norman College in Norman Park, Georgia. He served as pastor of 13 churches in the four states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Arizona, including Griffin and Eaton Park, Lakeland; Wimauma; Antioch, Rosemary, Westwood and Suwannee Station, Live Oak; Gillette First, Palmetto; and Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills. He and his wife Mattie Edna Walker had five children; Jerry, Ronald, Patricia, Irvie, and Lloyd. Edna died on October 22, 1970. In 1971, English married Louise Hunley.

TRAVIS E. ENGLISH

Travis E. English (1947-1989) died after a lengthy battle with cancer at age 42. He was pastor of Live Oak Baptist Church in Callahan. He and his wife, Jewel, had three daughters, Tammy, Pam, and Angie.

ISHAM E. ENLOW

Isham E. Enlow (October 2, 1890- ) was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky. He graduated from Georgetown College (1916) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1919, Th.M.) He served as pastor in Kentucky, and in 1944 became pastor at Belle Glade, Florida. At the time of his retirement in 1957 he was serving as District Missionary of the South Florida, Ridge, and Shiloh Associations.

EDWARD E. ENO

Edward E. Eno began voluntary missionary work in the Jacksonville area and in 1908 helped organize the Franklin Street Baptist Church. The 1907 associational minutes list Eno as a licensed minister with his address as Louisville, Kentucky.

B. C. ENTZMINGER

B. C. Entzminger served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Summerfield, Marion County, 1911-1912.

I. N. ENTZMINGER

I. N. Entzminger served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville, 1910.

J. ENTZMINGER

J. Entzminger served as the first pastor of First Baptist Church, Zolfo Springs.

JOHN N. ENTZMINGER

John N. Entzminger (1838-1914) was born in Fairfield County, SC. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Longwood. Entzminger and his wife, Sara Catherine Rice Entzminger had 10 children. Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

JOHN THADDEUS ENTZMINGER, SR.

John Thaddeus Entzminger, Sr. (November 9, 1904-July 11, 1995) was born in Lincolnton, Georgia. Entzminger graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, New Orleans and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. He served as pastor of Morton Gap Baptist Church in Kentucky for ten years. He then served as pastor of A. M. Bennett Memorial Baptist Church, (now Tampa Bay Tabernacle), Tampa, Manatee Baptist Church in Bradenton for 22 years, Greenville Baptist Church for 30 years (1965-1995) and Mill Creek Baptist Church, Bradenton. He and his wife, Bernice, had four sons; John, William, Louis, Paul, and one daughter, Bernice.

LOUIS ENTZMINGER

Louis Entzminger (1876-1958) was born in Columbia, SC, the son of John Nelson and Sarah Catherine Rice Entzminger. He served as the first Sunday School Secretary for the Florida Baptist State Convention, 1909-1910. Entzminger served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lakeland, from 1918-1920. He led the church to over 1,000 in membership and had such men as Dr. A. C. Dixon, Dr. W. B. Riley, and Dr. Luther Little to come in for Bible conferences. His wife Ada Violet Frier Entzminger died in 1945.

SEDLEY ENTZMINGER

Sedley Entzminger graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, KY. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie and Park View Baptist Church, Fort Pierce.

W. D. ENTZMINGER

W. D. Entzminger (1869-1943) was born in Ridgeway, SC, the son of John N. Entzminger. He was a graduate of Furman University and the Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Entzminger served many churches in South Carolina and Georgia before moving to Florida. While in Florida he served as pastor of Kathleen Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum, First Baptist Church, Longwood, Webster Avenue Baptist Church and Micanopy. Other churches he served were in Williston, Palatka, Trenton, Summerfield, Monticello, Greenville, Bartow, Lake Wales, and Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa.

W. S. ENTZMINGER

W. S. Entzminger served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Longwood.

HAROLD C. EPPERSON

Harold C. Epperson was born in Winchester, KY the son of Marcus and Mary Epperson. He graduated from Stestson University, Deland and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., M.R.E.). He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Sarasota (1965-1975), and First Baptist Church in Kissimmee. He and his wife, Juanita, had three sons, Mark, Mike, and Hal.

M. H. EPPERSON

M. H. Epperson served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Eustis, 1951-1963 and First Baptist Church, Eustis.

E. T. ERNEST

E. T. Ernest served as pastor of Second Baptist Church, Arcadia, Springhead Baptist Church, Midway Baptist Church, Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City, First Baptist Church, Youmans and Oak Hill Baptist Church, Bunker.

W. B. ERNEST

W. B. Ernest was pastor of Goulde Baptist Church in 1927.

GUILLERMO ESCALONA

Guillermo Escalona graduated from Florida International University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Escalona has served with the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, VITAS healthcare and the Baptist Hospital of Miami. He has served as pastor of Miami’s Coral Villa Baptist Church since 1991. He and his wife Aracelis have three daughters.

CHESTER T. ESTES

Chester T. Estes served as pastor of Knights Baptist Church, Plant City, 1959-1961.

JOSEPH R. ESTES

Joseph R. Estes taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Baptist Theological Seminary, Ruschlikon-Zurich, Switzerland and Kentucky Southern College, Louisville. He served as a missionary of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board to Spain and pastor of churches in Kentucky and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Deland. Estes and his wife were married in 1948 and they had five children.

PAUL ESTES

Paul L. Estes (1936-2021) was born in Kansas, the son of Lloyd and Daisy Estes. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Estes served as pastor of Fleming Island Baptist Church and Beulah Baptist Church, Middleburg, 1987-1989. He served as Director of Missions for the New River Baptist Association, 1994-1999. Estes and his wife Dorothy Page Estes, had two children.

RAYMOND L. ESTES

Raymond L. Estes (1926-2018) was a native of LaFayette, AL, the son of John T. and Naomi Estes. Estes served as a corporal in the U. S. Army Air Corps. Before entering the ministry Estes was a brick mason and subcontractor. He graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, FL. Estes served as pastor of Limestone Baptist Church, Walton County, Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge, Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville; and First Baptist Church, McIntosh. In 1964, he moved to Marion County to become full-time pastor of Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church As a pastor, he continued to use his construction expertise on various church building projects and mission projects. He and his wife Clara were married for 59 years.

WILLIAM ESTES

William Estes served as pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church.

GROVER CLEVELAND EUBANKS

Grover Cleveland Eubanks (1885-1955) was born in Marietta, Georgia. He served churches in Alabama and Florida. He served a total of 22 churches as pastor and he and his wife Mary had three daughters; Edna, Margaret and Dorothy. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Crestview from 1934-1935 and First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1951-1955.

DUANE EVANS

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

ELLIS B. EVANS

Ellis B. Evans served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida, and was sent overseas as a chaplain with the United States Army in 1944.

ELMER EVANS

Elmer Evans served as pastor of Astatula Baptist Church, 1951-1953.

ISRAY EVANS

Isray Evans served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1944-1945.

J. T. EVANS

J. T. Evans served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

J. W. EVANS

J. W. Evans served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

JOHN E. EVANS

John E. Evans served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Live Oak.

T. J. EVANS

T. J. Evans served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Butler.

J. W. EVENS

J. W. Evens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

JERRY EVERAGE

Jerry Everage served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

RHETT EVERAGE

Rhett Everage (1934 – 2009) was born in Baker and lived most of his life in Okaloosa County. Everage graduated from the Bible Baptist Institute. After
graduation, he became a bi-vocational minister, serving area churches including South Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1973, then Magnolia Baptist Church in 1975, Oakdale Baptist Church (now Valley Road), Crestview in 1978 and then to Calvary Baptist Church, 1982-2009. He and his wife Claudia had two children.

D. P. EVERETT

D. P. Everett was an ordained minister in the Orange Hill Church of the West Florida Association in 1856. He served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon and was elected to serve as a delegate to the 1857 Florida Baptist Convention.

G. E. EVERETT

G. E. Everett served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone (1932-1933) and First Baptist Church, Blountstown.

S. D. EVERETT

S. D. Everett was a pastor and medical doctor in the Alachua Association where he died in 1880. At the time of his death he was pastor of Cedar Keys. Everett was from Georgia and a graduate of Mercer.

FRED E. EVERS

Fred E. Evers served as pastor of Cinco Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, 1991-1996.

DON EVERSON

Don Everson (-2012) was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, the son of W. P. and Myrtlw Everson. He graduated from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, in 1946. He attended Stetson University (B.A., 1950), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1953; Th.D., 1959). Everson was best known in Florida for his successful pastorates at Parkwood Baptist Church, Jacksonville and First Baptist Church, Quincy. He married Betty McCellan of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and they had three children; Lynn, Cindy and Nan.

WILLARD P. EVERSON

Willard P. Everson (1906-1992) was a native of Wisconsin. He graduated from Memphis State. He served as pastor of Germantown Baptist Church in Memphis. In 1943 he came to First Baptist Church in Jacksonville Beach where he served for 25 years leaving in 1968. He and his wife had one son, Don, who was pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 27 years, and First Baptist Church in Quincy for six years, before his retirement.

W. Y. EVERTON

W. Y. Everton served as pastor of Hatch Bend Baptist Church, Branford.

ROBERT W. EZELL

Robert W. Ezell served as pastor of the Sans Souci Baptist Chapel (now Terry Road Baptist Church), Jacksonville.

Biographies E

Biographies D

Biographies F

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