Biographies Q

November 23, 2020

Biographies S

November 23, 2020

Biographies R

William M. Rabb was born in Conecuh County, AL. He served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, 1891; Union Hill Baptist Church and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Bluff Springs, 1892; and Milton Baptist Church, 1893. Rabb also served as missionary for Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. Rabb married Mary Morrow in 1867. Mary died early and Rabb married Alice Whitley in 1872.

CLAUDE RABOTEAU

Claude Raboteau served as pastor of the Orlando Church. He died on February 16, 1900, at age 37. His was greatly beloved by his church members and people throughout the City of Orlando.

CHARLES T. RABUN, JR.

Charles T. Rabun, Jr. (1946-2016) was born in Sanford, Florida, the son of Voncile Yates and Charles T. Rabun, Sr. He graduated from Stetson University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While attending Stetson University he was a bi-vocational pastor of Ravenna Park Baptist Church, Sanford. Rabun served as associate pastor and Minister of Education for First Baptist Church, Palatka for 30 years. He and his wife Terri Vickers Rabun had three children.

H. MORGAN RADFORD

H. Morgan Radford (November 21, 1914-June 22, 1999) was a native of Memphis, and a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of four churches in Kentucky, and First Baptist Churches of Lake Wales and Dania in Florida. He also served as pastor of Tropical Farms Baptist Church in Stuart, Southside Baptist Church in Bradenton, and Calvary in Deland. Radford served as president of the Florida Baptist Pastor’s Conference. He and his wife, Lelia Lavodis Radford, had two daughters, Patsy and Debi. His son-in-law, Van Capps, is a vocational evangelist, and his son-in-law, Gary Lydic, works with Focus on the Family.

OSBORNE KILLEBREW RADFORD

Osborne Killebrew Radford (March 2, 1901-April 28, 1960) was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. He married Minnie Bell on May 7, 1927. Radford served as business manager of the Clear Creek Baptist Assembly in Kentucky. He then served as minister of education at First Baptist Church, Pineville, Kentucky, First Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and First Baptist Church in Winter Haven, Florida. He went to work with the Florida Baptist Convention in 1926, and worked in the Church Training Department for thirty years.

CHARLES RAGLAND

Charles Ragland (1953- ) was born in El Dorado, AK. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ragland served the Florida Baptist Convention for 27 years from 1964 to 1991. He is best known for his work with the Brotherhood Department from which he retired in 1991. He has since served as interim director of missions in Black Creek Association and curriculum writer for convention materials. Ragland and his wife, Margaret Carolyn Meador Ragland, have four children.

SAM RAINER

Sam Rainer graduated from the University of South Carolina (B. S.) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. A.). In 2015 Rainer was called as pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. He and his wife Erin have three children.

RONNY RAINES

Ronny Raines served as pastor in Kentucky and Florida. Raines graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2014, Raines became pastor of First Baptist Church, Bradfordville. He and his wife Angie moved to Florida from Kentucky.

CURTIS RAINEY

Curtis Rainey graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rainey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt. He and his wife Ruth have three children, Jake, Allison and Joshua.

JIM N. RAINEY

Jim N. Rainey served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1927.

C. B. RALEY

C. B. Raley served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Okaloosa County and Valley Road Baptist Church, Oakdale .

DAN RALEY

Dan Raley served as pastor of Goodhope Baptist Church, Baker.

MORRIS J. RAMEY

Morris J. Ramey (1922-1956) was a graduate of Mercer University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Archer, Parkview Baptist Church, and Lake Park Chapel, Gainesville, Florida. Ramey and his wife Lynda Wilson Ramey had two children.

AUSTIN RAMMELL

Austin Rammell (1973- ) was born in Hampton, VA. He graduated from Virginia Tech, Liberty University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Rammell served as director Personal/Student Evangelism Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and is wife, Keri Zachary Rammell married in 1999.

DAVIS RAMSEY

Davis Ramsey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka (1976-1978) and Dry Prarie Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Florida.

A. F. RANDALL

A. F. Randall served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tampa.

PERCY RANSOM
Ransom,Percy
Percy Ransom (July 16, 1945- ) was born in Green County, Georgia, the son of Hillard and Katie Ransom. The family moved to the Miami area in 1952. Ransom was converted in 1962, and joined Gethsemane Baptist Church in Hollywood. Ransom graduated from Attucks High School in Hollywood in 1963. He served in the United States Army (1963-1966), and attended Miami-Dade Community College (A.A.) and Florida International University (B.A., 1974). Ransom did graduate work at North Florida Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Th., D.Min.), and Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.D., 1996; Ph.D., 2002). Ransom was licensed to preach in 1976, and ordained January 24, 1982, by the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Miami. He is currently pastor of the Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Miami, and has served there since its organizing in 1988. Ransom and his wife, Purnel, have four children.

THOMAS E. RATCLIFF
Ratcliff,-Thomas

Thomas E. Ratcliff graduated from Sam Houston State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as director of missions in the Blanco Bend area in Texas (1975-1980) before going as missions director of Palm-Lake Association.

CECIL RATHEL

Cecil Rathel graduated from Stetson University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as the Florida WMU Royal Ambassador Director parttime from 1947-1951. Rathel served as minister of education for St. John’s Baptist, Charlotte, North Carolina; Central Baptist. Miami, Florida; First Baptist, West Palm Beach, Florida; and Bayshore Baptist, Tampa, Florida. He married Hazel Hodge Rathel in 1950 and they had three children.

MARK ANTHONY RATHEL
Rathel,Mark
Mark Anthony Rathel (November 19, 1957- ) was born in Panama City, Florida. He attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College (A.A., 1977), William Carey College (B.A., 1979), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1981; Th.D., 1988). Rathel was licensed to preach on June 6, 1976, and was ordained on May 25, 1980 at the Rosemont Baptist Church in Niceville, Florida. He has served as pastor at Old Hebron Baptist Church in New Hebron, Mississippi from 1982 to 1983, First Baptist Church of Springfield, Louisiana (1983-1989), Bay Vista Baptist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi (1989-1994), and First Baptist Church of Blountstown, Florida from 1994 to 1996. Rathel married Angela G. Wilkerson on August 6, 1977. They have two sons, David and Steven. Rathel served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Historical Society from 1997 to 2002. He joined the faculty of the Baptist College of Florida in 1995 and has taught theology and philosophy.

GARY A. RATTERREE

Gary A. Ratterree (1909-1999) was born in Poteau, OK. He graduated from the Oklahoma Baptist University, the University of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ratterree served as pastor of Lake Forest Baptist Church, Jacksonville (1945-47) and First Baptist Church, Kissimmee (1948-50). For many years Ratterree headed the Brotherhood Department of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Helen Williams Ratterree had four children.

T. H. MEDLIN RAWLINS

T. H. Medlin Rawlins served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church (1931-1933).

J. ELWOOD RAWLS

J. Elwood Rawls (1914-1985) died of lukemia after serving as a Baptist preacher for 42 years. He was a native of Pensacola, and graduated from Florida Southern College, Stetson University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rawls served as pastor of Spencer Memorial Baptist Church, Ballast Point Baptist Church in Tampa, Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando, Flagami in Miami, and First Baptist Church in Homestead. He and his wife, Virginia Mathis Rawls, had two sons.

L. A. RAWLS

L. A. Rawls graduated from Columbus College, Lake City, FL. He served as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, Orange Heights Baptist Church, Alachua County.

BENJAMIN L. RAY

Benjamin. L. Ray served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tavares and Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel)

EMIT O. RAY

Emit O. Ray (1920-2004) was a native of Texas and a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a bombadier in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. During Ray’s ministry he served as pastor of Riverside Baptist Church, Miami for 20 years (1970-1990). He served on the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and served as a missionary in the Caribbean. He served as pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas. and as chairman of the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions. Ray and his wife, Katheryn, had three children; Karen, Steven, and Kurt.

HENRY GREEN BERRY RAY

Henry Green Berry Ray (1827-1909) was born December 15, 1827, at Camden, Alabama. He was one of 16 children born to Hall and Salina Wilkerson Ray who married in Clarke County, Alabama, on February 20, 1821. Ray married Mary Susan Sturdivant on December 19, 1849, in Wilcox County, Alabama. He enlisted in the Mississippi 13th Regiment on June 1, 1861, and served there until the end of the war. After the death of Mary Susan, Ray married Eliza Colson, a widow, in Monroe County, Alabama, on July 18, 1865. Ray was a pioneer Baptist preacher in Escambia County (Alabama and Florida) and was pastor of as many as four churches at one time. Ray was one of the four ministers who helped to organize Elim Association. He served as pastor of Oak Grove, Mitchell’s Creek, Union Hill, Enon, and Ray’s Chapel in Escambia County, Florida. He served as pastor of Traveler s Rest, Little Escambia, Magnolia, Blue Springs, and Sardis in Escambia County, Alabama.

J. C. RAY

J. C. Ray served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

JAMES R. RAY

James R. Ray graduated from Clear Creek Baptist College, and served as pastor in Kentucky before becoming pastor of Romeo Church in Dunnellon in 1980.

JESSE F. RAY

Jesse F. Ray began serving as pastor of Milton Baptist Church in 1944. Ray and his wife have five children.

RANDY RAY

Randy Ray served as pastor of North Florida Baptist Church, Tallahassee. Ray and his wife Jan have three sons.

W. J. RAY

W. J. Ray was pastor of the Madison Church in 1927.

STEPHEN EARL RAYBURN

Stephen Earl Rayburn (November 27, 1947) was born in Panama City, Florida. He graduated from Gulf Coast Community College (A.A., 1967), Mississippi College (A.B., 1969), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1974; D.Min., 1981). Rayburn served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Quitman, Georgia (1980-1985), Neptune Baptist Church (1985-1995) and Delaney Street Baptist Church (1995-). He and his wife, Patsy, have two children; Christopher and Jennifer.

IRVIN READON

Irvin Readon (1937-2011) served most of his pastoral life in the Miami area. He had two sons who were pastors in the Miami Association at the time of his death. Phillip Readon was pastor of Bible Baptist Church and Eric Readon was pastor of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church.

A. J. REAMY, JR.

A. J. Reamy, Jr., served as pastor of La Grange Baptist Church in 1904.

RICHARD REASONER

Richard Reasoner served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol.

ANDREW W. REAVES

Andrew W. Reaves died July 24, 1959. He served as a minister for 44 years and served pastorates in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In Florida he served Stanton Memorial in Miami, Brownsville in Pensacola, and Pleasant Grove in Pensacola. He and his wife had three daughters. The daughters were Mrs. Henry Allen Parker, Mrs. D. B. Nicholson, and Mrs. Frank Baker.

BOB H. REAVES

Bob H. Reaves graduated from Luther Rice Seminary. He served as pastor of Knights Church, Plant City, before going as pastor of North Kissimmee Church in 1980.

J. P. REAVES

J. P. Reaves served as pastor of Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, 1902-1904.

O. K. REAVES

O. K. Reaves (Oct. 16, 1877 – August 22, 1970) was born in Fruitville (Sarasota County), Florida, and later attended Stetson University Law School. His career path led him to establish his law practice in 1903 in Bradenton where he was a member of the First Baptist Church. He relocated to Tampa after he was appointed as Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pasco and Pinellas Counties) from 1915 until 1921, and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Tampa. A devout Christian and committed Baptist layman, Reaves was elected to serve two terms – 1919 and 1920 – as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Reaves, as an active alumnus of Stetson University was appointed as a member of the presidential search committee that selected and recommended William Sims Allen be elected as university president in 1934. Reaves and his wife Minnie Kay Reaves had one son.

HERB REAVIS, JR.
Reavis,Herb
Herb Reavis, Jr., is a native of Texas. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Milligan College, and the Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies. He is currently pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He and his wife, Lisa, have three sons; Joshua, Jonathan, and Joseph.

ROBERT E. RECCORD

Robert E. Reccord served as president of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1997-2006). Previously he served as pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon (1987-1992) and First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Virginia (1992-1997).

WALTER A. RECTOR

Walter A. Rector (-1953) served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville and Homosassa Church, Alachua Association. Rector and his wife had three children.

I. A. REDD

I. A. Redd (1835-1912) was born in Russell County, Alabama. He went to the Sarasota area in 1857. He worked for Bill Whitaker, Sarasota County’s first settle.He moved to Tallahassee and married Elizabeth Brown. He served in the Civil War and then moved back to the Sarasota area in 1867. He settled in and founded the Bee Ridge community. Elizabeth lived to be 102, and died in 1933. Redd worked to expand the Baptist cause in Southwest Florida. He served as pastor of Friendship, Manatee County, Alafaia, Lithia and Benevolence Church (1880-1882), Gillette. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Peace River Association at the time of his death in 1912. Redd and his wife Elizabeth had one daughter, Laura.

CHARLIE REDDING

Charlie Redding served as pastor of New River Baptist Church, Brooker.

DONALD HUGH REDMON, SR.
JO NELL EUBANKS REDMOND (1936-2016)

Donald Hugh and Jo Nell Redmon served as missionaries for over 33 years in Costa Rica. The Redmons married in 1956 and they had three children. Donald was born in Panama City, FL and served as a teacher and pastor in Florida before attending and graduating from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Jo Nell was born in Pontotoc, MS and graduated from Mississippi College. The Redmons retired from mission work in 1998 and returned to Panama City.

JAKE O. REED

Jake O. Reed served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Key Largo, 1963-1965.

LOY WAYNE REED

Loy Wayne Reed (1948- ) was born in Springfield, MO. He graduated from William Jewel College, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reed served as director of the Collegiate Ministries Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Glenda Shores Reed have four children.

MIKE REED

Mike Reed is a native of Tennessee. Reed and his wife Carolyn founded Toccoa Wilderness Ministries in Blue Ridge Georgia in 1980. He also served as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Turtletown, Tennessee. In 2006 Reed became pastor of San Jose Baptist Church.

R. E. REED

R. E. Reed served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Mulberry, Peace Creek Baptist Church, Bartow and First Baptist Church, Bartow.

W. H. REED

W. H. Reed served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Clewiston, 1948-1951.

JOHN FRANKLIN REEDER

John Franklin Reeder (December 11, 1860-June 10, 1946) was born in Noble County, Ohio. He became one of the most effective bi-vocational pastors in Florida Baptist State Convention history. Reeder was raised in West Virginia where he joined the Goose Creek Baptist Church. In 1891 he married Sarah Fordham. They had six sons and one daughter. Reeder surrendered to preach in 1898, and was soon ordained. He served churches in West Virginia, but failing health caused him to move to Florida in 1903. His health was restored and he became engaged in the bakery, trucking, and poultry businesses. He was committed to organizing and assisting Baptist churches. He served as pastor at Gillette, Parrish, Terra Ceia, Balm, Wimauma, Bee Ridge, Fruitville, Samoset, and Oneco.

ARCEMUS VAN BUREN REESE

Arcemus Van Buren (A. V.) Reese (1876-1960) was born in Madison County, NC to Patterson and Rachel Reese. He was licensed to preach in 1897. Reese
served as the pastor of LaCrosse Missionary Baptist Church, LaCrosse, 1902 and as the first pastor of First Baptist Church, Crawfordville, 1904-1913. Reese also served as a missionary under the Florida Baptist State Convention and helped plant and organize more than thirty churches. Reese and his wife Mary had nine children. Mary died in 1951 and Reese remarried Darthulah Griffin Strickland in 1954.

KYLE TRUMAN REESE

Kyle Truman Reese (1971-) graduated from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas, and became pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 2006. He and his wife, Amy, have three children.

T. O. REESE

T. O. Reese served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Apalachicola, Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol and First Baptist Church, Sarasota.

WILLIAM REESE

Reese,William

William Reese became pastor of First Church, Fort Myers Beach in 1980. He had previously served in Pennsylvania. He attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

ANDREW W. REEVES

Andrew W. Reeves served as pastor of Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, Miami and Brownsville Baptist Church.

B. H. REEVES

B. H. Reeves served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1973-1987.

GORDON REEVES

Gordon Reeves served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

BOBBY REGISTER

Bobby Register served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Raiford.

J. F. REGISTER

J. F. Register was the organizing pastor of Leonia Baptist Church. Register also served as pastor of Hurricane Creek Baptist Church.

JACKIE REGISTER

Jackie Register (1949 – 2012) was born in Holmes County. He was the son of Lloyd and Bonnie Ceil Register. He graduated from the Florida Baptist Theological College. Register has served as pastor of Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Ariton Baptist Church, Piney Grove Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Malone. Register and his wife Linda Allen have two children.

R. WALLACE REGISTER

R. Wallace Register served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Groveland.

ROBERT L. REGISTER

Robert L. Register served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1980.

J. N. REID

J. N. Reid died on September 1, 1893. He moved to Hamilton County, Florida, from Tennessee in about 1865. Nearly all the early churches of Hamilton Baptist Association were helped in their organizational efforts by either J. N. Reid or his friend D. F. Ward.

JASON REID

Jason Reid served as pastor of New River Baptist Church, Brooker.

R. A. REID

R. A. Reid served as a Baptist pastor in Florida and died in 1898.

U. E. REID

U. E. Reid died July 23, 1950, at Lantana, Florida. He was a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He was ordained by First Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida, on September 15, 1915. He was pastor at Winter Park (1924-1928), First Baptist Church, Stuart, and Lake Worth (1931-1947). Reid served as moderator of the Miami Baptist Association, and as pastor in Moulton, Alabama and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. and Mrs. Reid had a son, 1st. Lt. Marion U. Reid, who was killed in World War II in a bombing raid over Berlin in 1944.

ERNEST C. REISINGER

Ernest C. Reisinger (c. 1920-2004) was a native of Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific in World War II. He founded Reisinger Brothers Construction Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and served as a deacon in his local church. Reisinger was ordained to the ministry in 1971, and served as pastor of North Pompano Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Islamorado; and pastor emeritus of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral. Christian literature distribution was a prime interest for Reisinger and he was noted especially for his reprint of James P. Boyce’s Abstract of Systematic Theology. Reisinger and his wife, Mima Jane (Shirley), were married for 66 years and they had one son, Donald.

CHAD REISTER

Chad Reister served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 2002-2004.

CHARLES REMPEL

Charles Rempel graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida, including, First Baptist Church, Holt and Sugarloaf Baptist Church. Rempel and his wife, Okema have three children, Kim, Kevin and Shelly.

SAMUEL B. RENFROE

Samuel Renfroe (1894-1958) served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge. Renfroe was instrumental in Trinity and Southside Baptist Churches of Marianna. He was also the leading spirit in the founding of Chipola Junior College, Marianna. Renfroe and his wife Mary, had two sons, Robin and Stockton.

S. A. RENNICKS

S. A. Rennicks was a Scotch evangelist who served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Alfred, First Baptist Church, Pahokee, 1929-1931, and South Bay Baptist Church.

EDWIN HANSFORD RENNOLDS SR.

Rennolds,E.H.

Edwin Hansford Rennolds Sr., (1839-1912) was born October 30, 1839, in Louisa County, Virginia. Raised primarily in Tennessee, he taught public school until the Civil War. Upon enlisting in the Tennessee 5th Regiment, Rennolds served out the war. He saw heavy fighting in many major battles of the war and survived, but was wounded. At the beginning of the war there were 1,300 men in the Tennessee 5th Regiment. On April 24, 1865, only 30 of the original 1,300 were present for duty. At the close of the War, Rennolds was a second lieutenant in Company D of the 5th Regiment. Rennolds married in 1866 and he and his wife, Margaret Catherine Cox, had seven children. He was converted in 1868, and ordained to preach in 1870. Farming proved unprofitable so Rennolds and his family moved to Florida in 1882. He worked as a farmer, a salesman, an orange grower, and he preached some. His interest in history, and his ability to research and write led to his being elected to serve as the first Historical Secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention in about 1894. He also served for short periods of time as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Nassau County, Florida, acting editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, three terms as county surveyor, (two terms in Tennessee, one in Florida), and four terms as chaplain of the Florida State Senate. Rennolds died on November 17, 1912, at his home in Jacksonville, Florida. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. He worked diligently and faithfully to retrieve, research, and compile early Florida Baptist history. He probably did more than any other person to see the potential of Florida Baptist historical research.

H. E. RESSLER

H. E. Ressler was pastor of the Opa-Locka Mission of First Baptist Church, Miami in 1930 and 1933.

JOHN N. REVELL

John N. Revell (1820-1885) was born in South Carolina and married Miss P. A. Hudson in 1848. Upon the death of his wife, he married Mrs. A. C. Roberts in 1872 in Waukulla County. Revell was called to preach at Bristol in 1873.

OBIE N. REVELL

Obie N. Revell served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Woodville, First Baptist Church, Sopchoppy, First Baptist Church, Crawfordville and Telogia Baptist Church, Liberty County, 1915-1937 First Baptist Church, Crawfordville, 1929-1941.

S. J. REVELL

S. J. Revell was pastor of Apalachicola in 1873. He served as the first pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, 1889-1918. After his retirement, Revell’s son O. N. Revell became pastor of Lake Mystic.

STEVE REVELLS

Steve Revells served as pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church, Altha, 1878 and First Baptist Church, Sopcoppy.

COOLEY SUMNER REYNOLDS

Cooley Sumner Reynolds (December 18, 1830-June 21, 1901) was born in Belfast, Alleghany County, New York. He came to Florida in 1851, and was married to Judith Alexander, in Tampa in 1854. They had seven children; Mrs. T. J. Sheridan, Sumner J. Reynolds, Mrs. Leroy Brandon. Three of them were living in 1901. For 50 years, Reynolds served as a minister of the gospel. He married and buried more people in South Florida in his work than any other minister of his day. In 1876 he was pastor of Midway Church in Hillsboro County. Reynolds was also a newspaperman and politician. He edited papers in Ocala, Palatka, Tampa, Key West, and Clearwater. During the Civil War he was tax assessor in Marion County, and was later elected to the State House of Representatives twice from the Clearwater area.

H. B. REYNOLDS

H. B. Reynolds graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1931; First Baptist Church, Mulberry; First Baptist Church, Stuart; Goulds Baptist Church; and Bird Road Baptist Church, Miami. Reynolds and his wife had one daughter.

ROY L. REYNOLDS

Roy L. Reynolds (1923-2009) was born in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from Florida Southern College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reynolds served as pastor of Mount Tabor, Dixieland, and Gapway churches in Tampa; Flagami Baptist Church, Miami (now Tamiami); First Baptist Church, Mulberry; Lake Maggiore Baptist Church, St. Petersburg; Eastside Baptist Church, Plant City; and Bayshore Baptist Church, Bradenton. After retirement he served as chaplain of South Florida Baptist Hospital for five years. He and his wife, Leatrice Reynolds had three daughters and one son.

WILLIAM M. REYNOLDS

William M. Reynolds served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1889-1890.

TIMOTHY F. RHOADS

Timothy F. Rhoads He is a graduate of Mississippi State University in Starkville, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rhoads serves as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blountstown. He and his wife, Robbie Ann, have three children.

D. G. RHODE

D. G. Rhode died in 1928. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda.

HARRY J. RHODES

Harry J. Rhodes (1940-) was born in Dade City. Rhodes graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, and Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville. He served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum.

TERRY J. RHODES

Terry J. Rhodes graduated Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. Rhodes pastored churches in Florida and Kentucky. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway. Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

Terry J. Rhodes of Frankfort, Ky. Rev. Rhodes is pastor of The Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church and has pastored churches in Florida and Kentucky during his educational pilgrimage. Rev. Rhodes holds a bachelor of arts degree from Stetson University, where he completed a double major in religion and sociology. He was received into the doctor of ministry program of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. The music for the revival will be under the direction of Rev. James Hammock, pastor of Tee and Green.

LEWIS RHYMES

Lewis Rhymes served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

CHARLES DANIEL RICE

Charles Daniel Rice served churches in Alabama and Florida. Rice pastored Pleasant Hill Baptist Church; South Flomation Baptist Church, Century; Pine Barren Baptist Church, Davisville and Brownsdale Baptist Church, Jay. Rice married Lena May Childress in 1951, and they have five children.

DAVID P. RICE

David P. Rice (1953- ) was born in Parkersburg, WV. He graduated from the University of Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rice served as pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Brandon, 1990-1993;Belmont Baptist Church, Tampa, 1993-1997; and as associate director of the Sunday School Department of the Florida Baptist Convention, 1997-1999. In 1999 he became pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine. He and his wife, Dottie Lee Tehas Rice have one son.

E. A. RICE

E. A. Rice served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula.

EDMUND H. RICE

Edmund H. Rice (1890-1970) was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, and was educated at Baylor University in Texas. He spent much of his ministry in the Miami Association serving Florida churches. He went first to Key West, Florida, and then to Miami in 1925. He organized Allapattah Church in Miami, and remained as pastor eleven years. He also served as pastor at First Baptist Church in Wauchula, Homestead, Fernandina, First Baptist Church in Hollywood, and Southside Church in Miami. He also served as Association Missionary for the Miami Baptist Association, 1926-1938. Rice and his first wife, Alice Laurana Gray Rice (1881-1959) were married in 1913 and they had one son, Robbins Rioe Rice. His second wife was Florence May Belle Rice (1897-1982).

EDWARD EUGENE RICE

Edward Eugene Rice (March 31, 1878-May 5, 1944) was born in Medora, Illinois. He attended Ellingham College. He was ordained by East Hill Baptist Church of Pensacola on February 20, 1907. He served as pastor of East Hill (1912-1916) in Pensacola and West Hill in 1916, and Emmanuel of Pensacola. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Nashville, Illinois, and Mountain View Baptist Church of Denver, Colorado.

G. STEVE RICE

G. Steve Rice served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Winter Garden.

ORDEN RICE

Orden Rice (1918-2004) was ordained on November 20, 1936, by the Pulaski Baptist Church of Pulaski, Kentucky. He attended Georgetown College (A.B.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.B.) Rice served as pastor of Pulaski Baptist Church; Blue Ash Baptist Church in Blue Ash, Ohio; First Baptist, Chipley; First Baptist Church, Arcadia; Calvary, Arcadia; West Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale; First Baptist Church, Waverly, Ohio; and Governor’s Park Baptist Church, Fairfield, Ohio. Rice was a Baptist preacher for 71 years. When Rice was pastor of First Baptist Church, Chipley (1955-1958) the church gave 25 percent of its undesignated income through the Cooperative Program. Rice and his wife, Lydia Lucretia, were married for 63 years, and had one daughter, Gladys.

WILLIAM RICE

William Rice (1964- ) grew up in the Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater. He was called to preach, licensed and ordained at the church. He grew up in Pinellas County and graduated from Seminole High School. He graduated from Sanford University (1985), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1990; D.Min., 1996). Rice served as pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Dora, Alabama (1984-1987); Cypress Lake Baptist Church, Tampa (1987-1992); Gladeview Baptist Church, Anniston, Alabama (1992-1997); and Hillcrest Baptist Church, Pensacola (1997-2004) before going as pastor of his home church, Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater. In 2007 and 2008, Rice served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Rice and his wife, Cheryl Baker Rice, have three children; Amanda Leigh, Anna Ruth, and Stephen.

ARTHUR W. RICH

Arthur W. Rich served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Delray Beach.

E. S. RICH

E. S. Rich served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee 1954-1955.

A. RICHARDS

A. Richards was pastor of Ebenezer and Greenfield in Washington County in 1890.

E. H. RICHARDS

E. H. Richards served as pastor of Northwest Baptist Church, Miami.

S. J. RICHARDS

S. J. Richards served as pastor of the Mt. Vernon Church in Liberty County, Florida, and his death is reported in the 1876 Florida Baptist Association Minutes.

W. WILEY RICHARDS

Richards,Wiley

W. Wiley Richards (1932-2017) was born near Pensacola, Florida. Richards was the son of Walter and Charlie Richards. He served in the United States Navy (1951-1953) and graduated from Howard College in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1957. He later attended New Orleans Seminary (B.D., 1961; Th.D., 1963) and Florida State University (M.A., Ph.D.). Richards served as pastor of Millview Baptist Mission, Pensacola; Macedonia Baptist Church, Chilton County, Alabama; Progress Baptist Church, Zachary, Louisiana, and First Baptist Church, Lantana, Florida. Richards taught for 34 years at Baptist Bible Institute, (in 1988 changed the name to Florida Baptist Theological College, and changed again in 2001 to The Baptist College of Florida). He wrote numerous articles and books. He was interim 41 pastor times in 33 different churches. Richards married Betty Hargrove and they have four children, Walter Glen, August 24, 1954; Roger, February 14, 1957; Regina Rozsa, December 9, 1959; and Charlene Wiggins, August 24, 1963.

BOBBY RICHARDSON

Bobby Richardson graduated from the University of North Carolina and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Bay Street Baptist Church, Eustis and also served churches in North Carolina and Virginia. Richardson was Director of Missions of the Seminole Baptist Association for nine years (1999-2007) and in 2007 became the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Sanford. He and his wife Carolyn have three children.

FRANK RICHARDSON

Frank Richardson (1920-2008) was born in Bessemer City, North Carolina. He graduated from Mars Hill College and North Carolina State University. He served in Army Intelligence in World War II. After the war he attended Stetson University where he earned the B. A. and a masters degree. He served as Royal Ambassador Secretary for the Missouri Baptist Convention, business manager for Garder-Webb College and for 27 years served the Florida Baptist Convention (1953-1982) in business services. He and his wife Libby had a son, Frank and a daughter, Susan.

FREDERICK RICHARDSON

Frederick Richardson (1922-1983) retired as a chaplain in the United States Army and served as pastor in Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida. He served in Florida as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church in Tallahassee. He and his wife, Roberta, had a daughter, Deborah, and two sons, Dennis and Mark.

J. A. RICHARDSON

J. A. Richardson served as the first settled pastor of Oakland Baptist Church, Orange County, 1887-1888, 1891-1895, First Baptist Church, Winter Garden, 1888-1889 and First Baptist Church, Oviedo, 1891-1892.

J. H. RICHARDSON

J. H. Richardson (1853-1914) was born in Murfreesboro TN the son of Robert and Mary Richardson. He attended Union University and was ordained in 1873 by First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro. Richardson served as president of Sweetwater Female College, TN and as an agent for Stetson University in DeLand, FL. He served as pastor of Bronson Baptist Church, Campville Baptist Church, Apopka Baptist Church, Mulberry Baptist Church, Fort Meade Baptist Church, Lake Helen Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church, Winter Garden, 1905-1906. Richardson and his wife Fannie C. McCrea Richardson had two children.

W. P. RICHARDSON

W. P. Richardson (February 27, 1834-September 29, 1913) was born in Kentucky and served faithfully over 50 years as a Baptist preacher. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Chipley, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon, and Damascus Baptist Church in Jackson County in 1890.

BOBBY W. RICHEY

Bobby W. Richey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone. He and his wife Lavada had two children.

J. F. D. RICHTER

J. F. D. Richter served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

ESTEL RIDDLE

Etsel Riddle served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

ANDREW BENJAMIN RIDDLES

Andrew Benjamin Riddles (1829-), came to Holmes County from Baxley, Georgia. He served as pastor of Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Ponce de Leon. He married Harriett Viola Missouri Collins and they had 10 children.

CARLTON HOWARD RIDDLES

Carlton Howard Riddles (1912-2011) served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church. Riddles married Virginia Mildred Riddles in 1934 and they had four children.

E. B. RIDDLES

E. B. Riddles served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1924-1925.

HAWLEY E. RIDENOUR, JR.

Hawley E. Ridenour, Jr. (1909-1983) served the Florida Baptist Convention as associate Training Union director with O. K. Radford from 1939 to 1960. He also served churches as pastor in the panhandle. Ridenour served as pastor of Cedar Key Baptist Church. He was a graduate of the University of Florida in 1934, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1937. He and his wife, Villa, had three daughters, Barbara, Minnie, and Ruth, and one son, Hawley III.

HAWLEY E. RIDENOUR. SR.

Hawley E. Ridenour, Sr., served as pastor of Sunshine Baptist Church, Gainesville (1935-38) and Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

JAMES RIDGON

James Ridgon served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard and Atlantic Boulevard Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

C. A. RIDLEY

C. A. Ridley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Live Oak.

O. L. RIGGS

O. L. Riggs served as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Cocoa.

P. M. RIGGS

P. M. Riggs served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

HOLMES S. RIGHTMIRE

Holmes S. Rightmire served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Daytona and Ridgewood Avenue Baptist Church.

G. W. RILES

G. W. Riles (1843-1918) was born in South Carolina and was a veteran of the Civil War. After the war he returned to his home at McMeekin, and engaged in orange growing and farming. He served as local pastor of several Baptist churches including Paran Baptist Church, Grandin. Riles and his wife Mary E. Smith Riles had three sons.

PERRY E. RILEY

Perry E. Riley (1951-2002) was born in Houston, Texas. He served as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Marianna from 1987 to 2002. He was very much involved in denominational and community service. He and his wife, Joyce, had one daughter, Angela, and one son, Nathan.

OWEN RIMES

Owen Rimes served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church (1926-1927).

HERMAN C. RIOS

Rios,Herman

Herman C. Rios was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico. He attended Cameron State University (B.A., 1970), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1973) and Luther Rice (D.Min., 2001). Rios served as pastor in Oklahoma and Texas. He served in fulltime evangelism (1973-1978) and worked with the Home Mission Board as National Consultant in Evangelism with ethnics (1978-1990). He has served in the Florida Baptist Convention since 1990 and is currently the Director of the Language Evangelism and Stewardship Department. Rios is married to Gwendolyn Janette Fillman Rios, and he has authored tracts published by Mercury Press.

C. D. RISH

C. D. Rish served as pastor of Harmony Baptist Church, Grand Ridge.

J. F. D. RITCHER

J. F. D. Ritcher was pastor of the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church in Jackson County in 1889.

RALPH C. RITTENHOUSE, SR.

Ralph C. Rittenhouse (1912-1974) was a native of Saskatchawan, Canada, and was a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as moderator of the Miami Baptist Association, as president of the Florida Baptist Pastor’s Conference, and as trustee of the Miami Baptist Hospital. Rittenhouse served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopchoppy. He and his wife, Frances, had two sons, Ralph Jr. and Raymond, and two daughters, Frances and Mary.

WILLIAM H. RITTENHOUSE, JR.

William H. Rittenhouse, Jr. ( -1996) a native of Georgia was captured during WWII (1944) and served as a chaplain in the German prison camp until his release. His Life story was featured on national television and he authored a book, God’s POW, telling of his call to the ministry while a prisoner of war in Romania. He served as pastor in Georgia, Texas and Florida including Southside Baptist Church, Miami. Rittenhouse attended Stetson University, and the University of Miami. He and his wife Nell Cryder had three children.

W. H. RITTENHOUSE, SR.

W. H. Rittenhouse (1895-1961) served for over 40 years in the pastoral ministry. He served in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. He served as a chaplain in World War II. In Florida he served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Melbourne, and Southside, Miami. Rittenhouse was killed in an automobile wreck near Hillsboro, North Carolina.

PEDRO J. RIVERA

Rivera,Pete

Pedro J. Rivera (May 7, 1937- ) was born in Puerto Rico. He attended Hardin-Simmons (B.A.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.R.E.). He served as pastor in Louisiana and Illinois before moving to Florida in 1998. Rivera was the state director of language missions in Illinois (1986- 1998) before moving to Florida to serve as Field Missionary in Southwest and Central Florida with the Florida Baptist Convention Rivera and his wife, Ann Marie, were married October 25, 1958, in Clayton, Missouri. They have four children; Miguel, Yvonne, Raquel, and Yvette.

C. E. RIVERS

C. E. Rivers served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files

W. P. RIVERS

W. P. Rivers served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church (1920-1924) and Midway Baptist Church, Plant City, (1925-1926).

WALLACE RIVERS

Wallace Rivers (1922-2019) was born in High Springs, Florida, the son of Percy C. and Ruby R. Bryant Rivers. He graduated from Stetson University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served at First Baptist Church, Waldo; Fifth Street Baptist Church, Key West; Frist Baptist Church, North Miami; First Baptist Church, Alachua, and Flagler Street Baptist Church, Miami (aka Tamaiami). Rivers and his wife Ernestine B. Rivers (1921-1997) had three children. After the death of Ernestine, he married Madelyn Joyce Roper.

TOM RIVES

Tom Rives served as pastor of Carrollwood Baptist Church, Tampa.

GREGORY ROBARBS

Gregory Robarbs served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

JAMES A. ROBERSON, JR.

James A. Roberson, Jr. was born in Palatka, Florida. He graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville and William Carey College, Hattisburg. Roberson was licensed and ordained by Southside Baptist Church, Palatka. He served as pastor of churches in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Interlachen. Roberson and his wife Sonja Ramey Roberson have two sons.

STEPHEN ROBERT

Stephen Robert, a Florida native, beginning in 2025, was named the president/chief executive officer of One More Child (formerly known as the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes). From 2019 – 2024, Robert served as chief operations officer. Previously (2010 – 2019) he served as the executive vice president and vice president of church engagement and strategic operations of the agency. Prior to joining One More Child in 2010, Stephen worked in the furniture industry for 10 years. Robert graduated from Florida State University (B.S.) and earned a master’s degree in Christian studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2025 he was pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained by his home church, First Baptist Church of Plant City. He and his wife, Laura Robert, have four children, Rileigh, Landen, Hannah, and Micah.

ALTON ROBERTS

Roberts,Alton

Alton Roberts (April 5, 1896-April 8, 1970) was the son of Rev. John Alton Roberts and Edna Albritton Roberts. The Roberts family were descendants of Henry Carson Roberts, a Civil War veteran. John Alton Roberts came to central Florida by wagon train when he was twelve years of age (1882). Alton was raised on Horse Creek near the New Zion community with his brothers, Owen, Sidney, and Leland. Alton married Ruby Boyd (1892-1942) a school teacher. She died and he later married Addie Hampton (1902-1977). Alton was licensed to preach in 1933. He was pastor of Oak Grove, Wauchula, 1943-44 and Bethany, Myakka City on three occasions (1933, 1938, 1951) and served as a bi-vocational pastor in the central Florida area.

C. R. ROBERTS

C. R. Roberts died September 28, 1971. He was born near Lake City, the eldest child of Robert Edward and Mittie R. Roberts. His great-grandparents were the first white settlers around Lake City, and his grandfather, Roberts B. Roberts, was the second white child born in Columbia County. Roberts was licensed to preach by First Baptist Church in Mulberry on December 3, 1924, and ordained by the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Lake City on January 28, 1927. Roberts served as pastor of Bethlehem, Hopewell, Old Providence, Fellowship, Southside, Oluster, Elim (near Fort White), Lake Harbor at Lake Harbor and Northside Baptist Church, Ponce de Leon.. He served as pastor of Pine Grove, Lake City, for 17 years. Roberts served as pastor of Lake Harbor Baptist Church at Lake Harbor and Northside Baptist Church, Ponce de Leon.

CLYDE ROBERTS

Clyde Roberts has served as a pastor since 1959. During the last 50 years, he has pastored 7 churches including two terms as pastor of Grace Baptist in Oxford, AL. In addition to pastoral work, Bro Roberts has been heavily involved in missions work with the International Missions Board (IMB) from 1970 – 1998. Over the years he has served on many mission boards, as a field missionary and pastor in Mexico and Canada. He has served on the Florida Baptist Convention staff as a missionary in residence to Hispanic work in Florida. In 1999 Roberts came back to Florida to pastor Lake Mystic Baptist Church until 2004. After retiring from Lake Mystic Baptist Church in 2004, Roberts accepted the call as Director of Missions for the Aplachee Baptist Association and has continued to serve in that role since 2004.

DELBERT ROBERTS

Delbert Roberts served as pastor of Lake Bradford Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

EARNEST E. ROBERTS

Earnest E. Roberts served as pastor of Scenic Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola.

GARY WAYNE ROBERTS

Gary Wayne Roberts (1951- ) was born in Alexandria, VA. He graduated from the Florida Baptist Theological College. Roberts served as associate of the Florida Baptist Men’s Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Karen Yongue Roberts have one daughter.

IRA IDOMINIUM ROBERTS

Roberts,I.I.

Ira Idominium Roberts (1886-1952) died on June 29, 1952, at Pensacola. He was ordained by the Pleasant Grove Church in the Pensacola Bay Association. He was a Baptist preacher for more than 40 years and served as pastor of numerous churches in West Florida. His last pastorate was Escambia Bay Baptist Church. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milton, from 1919-1922. He also served as the third pastor of First Baptist Church, Crestview from 1919 to 1920.

IVAN BERYL ROBERTS, SR.

Ivan Beryl Roberts, Sr. (1913-1990) was a native of Malvern, Arkansas. Roberts served as an army chaplain in World War II. He served as pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church in Pensacola, First Baptist Church in Leesburg, and Lake Carroll Baptist Church in Tampa for 18 years. He and his wife, Neva Rainer Roberts, had three sons, Ivan, Jr., Kelly, and Judson.

J. M. ROBERTS

J. M. Roberts of College Street Baptist Church in Dade City died in 1897.

JAMES ROBERTS

James Roberts is a veteran of the United States Army and graduated from the Baptist College of Florida in 1988. He served as pastor in Alabama and Florida before serving as the Director of Missions of Beulah Association, 2007-2022. He and his wife, Connie, have one son.

JOHN ALTON ROBERTS

Roberts,J.A.

John Alton Roberts (September 17, 1870-May 27, 1938) was born in Decatur County, Georgia, and was the son of Henry Carson Roberts and Nancy Ann Norris. Many of the Roberts family members and DeSota, Hardee, Manatee, Lee, and Hillsborough counties are the descendants of this family. Henry died in Georgia in 1882 and John Alton at about twelve years of age traveled by wagon train bound for South Florida. John married Edna V. Albritton and they had four sons; Alton, Owen, Sidney, and Leland. John was ordained in 1911 and served as pastor of numerous churches in the Hardee County area.

JOHN PINCKNEY ROBERTS

John Pinckney Roberts (1843-1896) was born in Marion District, South Carolina. Roberts made a public profession of faith in 1869 and was baptized at Mount Bezor Baptist church, Wakulla. Roberts served as pastor at Mount Bezor, Lake Ellen, Mount Elon and Crawfordville in Walkulla, Aenon in Leon, and Bristol in Liberty County. Roberts married Ella Bostick in 1867 and they had five sons and two daughters.

L. A. ROBERTS

L. A. Roberts served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

L. B. ROBERTS

L. B. Roberts served as pastor of Port Orange Baptist Church.

LEO B. ROBERTS

Leo B. Roberts (1904-1976) was the son of Robert Lee and Theodosia Frances Jones Roberts. He was a graduate of Stetson and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roberts was licensed to preach in 1925 at Pleasant Grove. He was the first pastor of Myrtle Grove and he also served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Haines City for four years, Walnut Hill Baptist Church, and Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando for 11 years. At the time of his retirement in 1968, he was serving as the general director of the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. Roberts and his wife, Edith had one son and one daughter.

LEWIS ROBERTS

Lewis Roberts served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopcoppy.

M. LON ROBERTS, III

M. Lon Roberts, III served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

NOEL ROBERTS JR.

Noel Roberts Jr. served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 2005-2007.

OSCAR O. ROBERTS

Roberts,Oscar

Oscar O. Roberts (1893-1976) was the son of Henry Carson Roberts and Nancy Ann Norris Roberts. The family moved from Bainbridge, Georgia, to the Fort Green area in May 1882. Roberts married Lottie Bell Roberts and they served together in many churches in southwest Florida. They had three sons; Otis, Russel, and Jean. Roberts was a pastor, a rancher, and a singer. He wrote over 100 gospel songs and served as pastor of churches in Manatee and Hardee counties.

P. A. ROBERTS

P. A. Roberts served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Moore Haven and First Baptist Church, Jasper.

RICHARD E. ROBERTS

Richard E. Roberts was born in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roberts served as pastor of Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola and Director of Associational Missions, Black Creek and St. Johns River Baptist Association. He and his wife Virginia Snyder Roberts have three sons.

URIAH ROBERTS

Uriah Roberts served as pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Starke in 1883.

W. T. ROBERTS

W. T. Roberts served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

A. ROBERTSON

A. Robertson of Parish, Florida, died in 1892 after serving as pastor.

DAVID ROBERTSON

David Robertson served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church (1887).

J. J. ROBERTSON

J. J. Robertson served in South Florida and died in 1903.

J. J. ROBERTSON

J. J. Robertson served as a pastor in the Florida Baptist Convention and died at Palmetto on July 18, 1904.

WILLIAM A. ROBERTSON

William A. Robertson served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka.

G. W. ROBIE

G. W. Robie served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven in 1893.

JIM ROBINETT

Jim Robinett (1951- ) was born in Albany, Georgia. He attended Georgia Tech and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Clewiston, and as pastor of First Baptist Church, Live Oak for over 17 years. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children. Robinett served as the Director of Missions for the Northwest Coast Baptist Association, 2004-2006. In 2006, he became director, Church Revitalization and Loans Department for the Florida Baptist Convention.

T. EARL ROBINETT

T. Earl Robinett (1919-2015) was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of South Carolina. Robinett served as pastor of churches in North Carolina and Florida, including West Bradenton Baptist Church. He and his wife, Sarah Robinett had three children.

A. H. ROBINSON

A. H. Robinson served as pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka (1883-1885) and associational missionary (1881).

C. R. ROBINSON

C. R. Robinson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville and Paran Baptist Church, Grandin.

E. H. ROBINSON

E. H. Robinson served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1883-1884).

J. D. ROBINSON

J. D. Robinson served as pastor of Inwood Baptist Church, Winter Haven.

MACK ROBINSON

Mack Robinson served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County and Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol.

MARK ROBINSON

Mark Robinson (1965- ) was born in Corsicana, TX. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Robinson served as Baptist Campus Minister, FSU, Tallahassee for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Karen Hise Robinson, have two children.

P. A. ROBINSON

P. A. Robinson served as pastor of Oakland Baptist Church, Clay County.

PAUL DAVID ROBINSON, SR.

Robinson,Paul

Paul David Robinson, Sr. (December 14, 1937-), is a native of Dora, Alabama, and attended Samford University (B.A., 1963), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1971), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min., 1981), and Jacksonville University (M.A., 1987). Robinson was ordained at First Baptist Church, Dora, Alabama in 1961. He served as pastor in Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida. Robinson served as a chaplain in the United States Navy (1966-1985), After his retirement, he joined the faculty of The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. He married Laura Marie Piper on December 23, 1961, and they have two children.

R. J. ROBINSON

R. J. Robinson served as pastor of East Hill Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

W. C. ROBINSON

W. C. Robinson served as pastor of Yulee Baptist Church.

WILLIAM A. ROBINSON

William A. Robinson (1918-1983) served as director of missions of Ridge Association from 1971 to 1982. Prior to that he served as pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Ruskin, Bethel Baptist Church in Lakeland, and as associate at First Baptist Church in Key West. Robinson served as pastor in North Carolina before coming to Florida.

F. O. ROBISON

F. O. Robison served as pastor of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Bratt and First Baptist Church, Ensley.

TED RODDA, JR.

Ted Rodda, Jr. was born in Palatka, Florida, the son of Lucille and Ted Rodda, Sr. He graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College. After graduation he served four years in the U. S. Army. He served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Bartow and First Baptist Church, Hastings. Rodda is married to the former Donna Carol Oswald.

TED RODDA, SR.

Ted Rodda, Sr. (1922-2011) was a native of Palatka. The son of B.A., Sr. and Penelope Rodda. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN. Rodda served as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Palatka; the Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church; Pinetta Baptist Church, and Lake Buffum Baptist Church in Fort Meade He and his wife Lucille Price Rodda had four children.

DAVID T. RODDY

David T. Roddy (1928-2018) was born in Paris, KY. He graduated from Georgetown Baptist College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roddy served as director, Family Life Department for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1987-1993. He and his wife, Margie Hudson Roddy had three children.

B. K. RODGERS

B. K. Rodgers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, High Springs.

C. E. RODGERS

C. E. Rodgers (1895-1963) was born in Mango, Florida, on September 25, 1895. He went to school at Mercer University and Southern Seminary. He married Flora Crum of Plant City on January 19, 1917, and she died January 6, 1986 at the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. Rodgers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Brandon (1930-1935), Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa (8 years), and First Baptist Church, Vero Beach (13 years).

C. T. RODGERS

C. T. Rodgers served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

J. C. RODGERS

J. C. Rodgers (1853-1942) served as pastor of Emmaus Baptist Church and Bethany Baptist Church, No. 2, Pasco County. Rodgers and his wife Martha Jane Franklin Rodgers had two children.

JAMES P. RODGERS

James P. Rodgers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee, 1931-1934, Northwood Baptist Church, West Palm Beach and First Baptist Church, Winter Haven from about 1947-1953.

JOHN BETHEL RODGERS

John Bethel Rodgers (December 4, 1881-April 26, 1968) was born in Polk County, Florida. Rodgers was licensed to preach by First Baptist Church, Miami (Central), and ordained in 1907 at First Baptist Church, Deland. He married Zula Fincher on April 2, 1911, and they had four children; John, Evelyn, Martha, and Betty. Rodgers graduated from Stetson University in 1904, and attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1917 he began mission work in the Miami Association which stretched from West Palm Beach to Key West. He organized a number of churches in the state, and in 1918 became pastor of the Lemon City Church, which became the First Baptist Church of Miami. This was the first Baptist church in Dade County. Rodgers also helped organize South Miami, First Baptist Church in Perrine, Stanton Memorial, Allapattah, Hialeah, Seventy Ninth Street, Emmanuel, North Miami, First Baptist Church in Hollywood, First Baptist Church in Dania, Northwood, and churches in Lake Worth, Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay. Rodgers served as pastor at Oviedo, Green Cove Springs, Mayo, Alachua, Milton, Bowling Green, Panama City, First Miami, and Lakeside Miami. He was the first director of mission work for the Florida Baptist Convention, and was probably the most effective church planter in south Florida history.

RALPH RODRIGUEZ

Ralph Rodriguez served as pastor of churches at Lake City, Jacksonville, and High Springs. In 2006 Rodriguez left the pastorate of Bethel Baptist Church in Trenton to go to Southside Baptist Church in Lake City.

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ

Richard Rodriguez is a native of Tampa. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rodriguez served as pastor of Castle Heights Baptist Church, Tampa and First Baptist Church, Wildwood. He and his wife, Debra have one son, Shane Rodriguez.

SHANE RODRIGUEZ

Shane Rodriguez is the son of Richard and Debra Rodriguez. He served as pastor of Peace Creek Baptist Church, Bartow.

DANIEL RODRIQUEZ

Daniel Rodriquez served as pastor of the Spanish mission of Flagler Street Baptist Church, Miami (now Getsemani).

EDWARD ROEHL

Edward Roehl served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crawfordville, 1941-1942.

CECIL W. ROENFELDT

Cecil W. Roenfeldt (1930-2006) was born in Pampa, TX, the son of Louis Otto and Esther Roenfeldt. He graduated from Wayland Baptist College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in Texas from 1949 to 1970 and served as an associate in the Sunday School department of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1974-1995. Roenfeldt and his wife Wanda had three children; Cynthia, Debra, and Robert.

CHARLES ROESEL
Roesel,Charles

Charles Roesel began his pastorate of First Baptist Church in Leesburg, in 1975. First Baptist has been a leader in ministry evangelism for The Southern Baptist Convention. The church has over 7,000 members, baptizes about 200 persons a year, and has 70 different ministries to meet the needs of the community. Roesel celebrated 50 years in the ministry in 2003. He retired as pastor of First Baptist Church, Leesburg in 2006.

ADRIAN PIERCE ROGERS

Rogers,Adrian

Adrian Pierce Rogers (September 9, 1931-November 15, 2005) was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Arden and Rose Rogers. He served as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis 1972-2005. He graduated from Stetson University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from five educational institutions. He served three terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1979, 1986, 1987). Rogers served for six years at Parkview Baptist Church, Fort Pierce (1958-1964) and First Baptist Church, Merritt Island for eight years (1964-1972) before going to Bellevue in Memphis. He was widely known as speaker, author, and denominational servant. He is married to Joyce Gentry Rogers. They have two daughters, Gayle and Janice; and two sons, Steve and David.

CLINT E. ROGERS

Clint E. Rogers (1930-1983) died after a heart attack while serving as pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in St. Petersburg. He had previously served as pastor in Kentucky, Georgia, and the Keene Terrace Church in Largo, Florida. He and his wife, Jane, had two daughters, Kathy and Renee, and one son, David.

D. ROGERS

D. Rogers served Friendship Baptist in Jackson County, Florida, and Pilgrim’s Rest in Henry County, Alabama, as pastor in 1872.

EMORY ROGERS

Emory Rogers served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County and Pine Barren Baptist Church, Davisville, 1961.

GLENN ROGERS

Glenn Rogers was born in Kissimmee, Florida. He graduated from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Rogers served in the U. S. Army. He and his wife served as missionaries for the SBC North American Mission Board in Nevada. Rogers has served as pastor of churches in Tennessee and Florida. He now serves as Area Missionary (Director of Missions) since 2009, for the Seminole Baptist Association. His wife is Bonnie Rogers.

J. A. ROGERS

J. A. Rogers served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville.

J. B. ROGERS

J. B. Rogers was pastor of La Grange Baptist Church in 1905.

J. C. ROGERS

J. C. Rogers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1916, Greater Macedonia, Jacksonville, 1933-1968 and Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

JAMES L. ROGERS

James L. Rogers served as pastor of Key West Baptist Church.

JAMES P. ROGERS

James P. Rogers graduated from Miami High School, Stetson University (1930), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1933). He served as pastor in Birmingham, Alabama, Washington D.C., and was pastor of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven from about 1948-1954. He then went as pastor of First Baptist Church, Valdosta, Georgia.

JIMMIE ROGERS

Jimmie Rogers served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville.

ROBERT F. ROGERS

Robert F. Rogers served as a missionary for the Florida Baptist Convention and was pastor of First Baptist Church, Macclenny, and Fort McCoy Baptist Church, Marion County. He died in Miami in 1934.

STUART BEGGS ROGERS

Rogers,-S.B.
Stuart Beggs Rogers (September 18, 1866-August 16, 1926) was born near Macon, Georgia. He attended Mercer University and the University of Chicago. He married Daisy Walker in 1896. They had three children. Rogers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Marianna (1896-1903 served at Marianna and Chipley), First Baptist Church, Chipley, and First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida (1904-1909). He was elected president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1904, and became Executive Secretary of the Convention in 1909, upon the death of L. D. Geiger. The Baptist headquarters building in Jacksonville was built during Roger’s term of service, and the building is named the Rogers Building in his honor. April 6, 1917, found the United States entering World War I, and 42, 000 men from Florida served in the war. The tragedy of war also influenced the worldwide outbreak of influenza that hit Florida in epidemic proportion. Hundreds of people died, and this brought great sorrow to the churches. Rogers wrote a 23 page booklet, A Brief History of Florida Baptists 1825-1925. The booklet has no documentation but is a popular history of the period. The history was written upon the centennial celebration of the organization of the Baptist Church at Campbellton, Florida (Bethlehem, then First Baptist Church, Campbellton).

W. S. ROGERS

W. S. Rogers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake City.

WALLACE ROLAND ROGERS

Rogers,-Walace-R.

Wallace Roland Rogers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, during the World War II years from 1939 to 1947. He and his family were a loving, caring influence in a military community at a crucial time. Rogers served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1947. He left Pensacola in 1949 to go as pastor of Citadel Square Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina.

GEORGE H. ROLEY

George H. Roley (1852-1923) was born in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Roley pastored Bratt Baptist Church (1908-1911) and Poplar Dell Baptist Church (1913-1914). Roley married Isabella Charity Ann Briggs in 1874 and they had four children.

EURSTON ROLLINS

Eurston Rollins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Destin.

JOHN B. ROLLINS

John B. Rollins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Niceville.

N. M. ROLLINS

N. M. Rollins (served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone 1946-1947).

U. W. ROLLINS

U. W. Rollins was ordained at Hardeetown Baptist Church in 1940 and served as pastor from 1940-1942. Rollins also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

W. L. ROLLINS

W. L. Rollins served as regional missionary of the Ocala area. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Frostproof and High Springs.

C. L. ROOKS

C. L. Rooks served as pastor of Piney Grove, Cottondale.

J. C. ROONEY

J. C. Rooney served as a Baptist pastor in Florida and died in Pinellas County in 1934.

JOE ROOP

Joe Roop served as pastor of New River Baptist Church, Brooker.

THOMAS S. ROOTE, JR.

Thomas S. Roote, Jr. graduated from Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as director of missions of the New Orleans Baptist Association before joining the faculty of Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville in 1963. He later served as director of missions in Columbus, Georgia, and then the Jacksonville and Northeast Associations in 1971. He and his wife, Martha Stoudenmier Roote had two children.

EMMANUEL ROQUE

Emmanuel Roque (1966-) was born in New York City and reared in Miami. He graduated from Baylor University (B. A.) and served as associate pastor of Iglesia Bautista Resurreccion in Miami. From 2004-2006 Roque served as Director of Hispanic and International Ministries with the Miami Baptist Association. In 2006 Roque became Director of the Language Church Planting Department of the Florida Baptist Convention.

JOHN FRANKLIN ROREX

John Franklin Rorex (1870-1951) was born in Fackler, Alabama. He was educated in Ouachita College and Southern Baptist Seminary. He was ordained by the Pottsville Church, Arkansas in 1897. Rorex served as pastor in Arkansas, New Mexico and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Williston. He and his wife Claudia B. Marsh and they had one daughter, Lucile.

PAUL ROSE

Paul Rose served as pastor of churches in Georgia and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Pahokee, 1987-1995.

CHARLES ROSENBALM

Charles Rosenbalm served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Key Largo.

F. M. ROSS

F. M. Ross served as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Hawthorne prior to 1910 and First Baptist Church, Cocoa and Eau Gallie. .

HARRY ROSS

Harry Ross served as pastor of Inman Park Baptist Church, Winter Haven.

J. GARDNER ROSS

J. Gardner Ross was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Jacksonville from 1885-1890.

JOHN ROSS

John Ross served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

JOHN LEONIDAS ROSSER

John Leonidas Rosser (December 1, 1875-June 5, 1972) was born in Rustburg, Virginia. He was converted in 1896 as a 19 year old college student at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. He attended Roanoke College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rosser served five churches as pastor: Memorial Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia (1903-1905), First Baptist Church, Selma, Alabama (1906-1913), First Baptist Church, Bristol, Virginia (1913-1932), Riverside Baptist ChurcH, Jacksonville (1932-1939), and Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine (1939-1948). Rosser retired on July 1, 1948, and moved with his family to Bristol, Tennessee. Rosser wrote A History of Florida Baptists in 1949, and two other books plus some tracts and hymns. He married Evelyn C. Craig in November 1909, and they had five children.

B. A. ROTH

B. A. Roth graduated from National Bible Institute, New York City and Mercer University, GA. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula and First Baptist Church, Hastings.

CHRIS ROTH

Chris Roth attended Santa Fe College and The Baptist College of Florida. He became pastor of Paran Baptist Church in Grandin in 2014. He is married to Amanda.

GIDEON JACQUES ROUSSEAU

Rousseau,G.-J.

Gideon Jacques Rousseau (1880-1969) was born in Steynsburg, South Africa. He was the son of Johann Heinrich Bruchauzer Rousseau and Aletta Johanna Elizabet Van Zyl. Rousseau s father was a teacher, and a rather passive man; his mother was uneducated, but driven. Rousseau was raised in abject poverty in South Africa. He worked at various jobs as a child and teenager, and received very little formal education. In October, 1899 in the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), he was commandeered to fight against the British. He was made a prisoner of war and was kept for over two years on the island of St. Helena. That time was spent reading and learning the English language from books sent over from America. Rousseau was now multi-lingual and learned to use the wireless. He actually met Marconi during his training. He served aboard Atlantic sailing ships and there met Christine McConnel, his wife to be. Her father was a Baptist minister, and served with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. After marriage, Rousseau was converted in a revival in Alliance, Nebraska. He and his family moved to Waco, Texas, where he attended college and became a student pastor. Rousseau served as a chaplain in World War I, and then became pastor at First Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma, and afterward First Baptist Church, Marshall, Texas. His most satisfying ministry was serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida from 1925 to 1930.

JEFF ROUSSEAU

Rousseau,Jeff

Jeff Rousseau (1918-1997) served as a pastor for over 60 years. He was pastor emeritus of Olive Baptist Church (1954-1971) in Pensacola at the time
of his death at age 79. He and his wife, Audrey, were married 59 years.

RUPERT JEFFERSON ROUSSEAU

Rupert Jefferson Rousseau (1918-1997) pastored churches in Arkansas, Illinois, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, New York and Florida. Rousseau graduated
from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas; and Luther Rice Seminary,
Jacksonville, Florida. Rousseau pastored Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola for 17 years.

ARCHIE MILTON ROWE

Archie Milton Rowe was born November 3, 1890 in Nichols, South Carolina, and moved to Georgia at an early age. Rowe attended Norman Park Junior College in Georgia and came to Madison County, Florida in 1922. He was ordained on December 3, 1922 by the Moseley Hall Baptist Church near Greenville, Florida. In over 50 years of ministry he served as pastor in Brooks County, Georgia, and in Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton and Taylor Counties in Florida. In the Madison area, Rowe served as pastor of Moseley Hall, Sirmans, Ochlawilla, New Home, Hopewell, Midway, and Pine Grove. Rowe and his wife, Elizabeth, had two daughters; Elizabeth and Lorene, and one son, Judson. On May 24, 1998 Ochlawilla Church had a special posthumous service honoring the former pastor.

MORRIS ROWE

Morris Rowe served as pastor of Bradfordville Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

RON ROWE

Ron Rowe (1946-) served as pastor and Director of Missions in the Jacksonville area. He served four years as DOM of Black Creek Baptist Association and 17 years as DOM of Jacksonville Baptist Association. Rowe retired in 2010 as DOM of Jacksonville Baptist Association and he and his wife Ithenia have four children.

STEPHEN ROWE

Stephen Rowe is listed in the 1856 West Florida Baptist Association Minutes as an ordained minister living in Ochessee. In 1860 he was pastor at Sardis and New Hope.

WARREN RUBY

Warren Ruby ( -2011) was a native of Iowa, the son of Alvin and Edna Ruby. He graduated from Toccoa Bible College, Georgia and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida, including Wayside Baptist Mission, Miami, Grapeland Heights Baptist Mission, Miami, and First Baptist Church, Samoset, 1953-1987. Ruby and his wife, Faye Marie Ruby (b. 1923 – d. 1988) had three children. After Faye’s death he married Marietta Ruby in 1993.

DEAN RUCKER

Rucker,Dean

Dean Rucker graduated from the University of Central Florida and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served previously as pastor of Airline Baptist Church, Metairie, Louisiana, and Sunset Point Baptist Church in Clearwater before becoming pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Lakeland in 2005. He and his wife, Tammy, have two children.

RANDY RUDISELL

Randy Rudisell graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, including Spencer Memorial Baptist Church, Tampa and Flagami Baptist Church, Miami. Rudisell and his wife have two daughters.

WINSTON W. RUDOLPH

Rudolph,Winston

Winston W. Rudolph (October 23, 1949- ) was born in Pensacola and graduated from Wedgewood High School in 1968. He was converted and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in Pensacola at the age of seven. He studied at Saint Stephen s Theological Seminary and Saint Thomas University. He has served as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Miami for eleven years, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach for three years, and was the founding pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Pompano Beach in 1993. He currently is the pastor there. Rudolph is well known through his religious, civic, and academic commitments. He is a clinical and pastoral therapist and counselor. For over fifteen years he has worked in community and family crisis intervention in the Miami area. He and his wife have three children, Jolanda, Winston Jr., and Erica.

HUGO RUIZ

Hugo Ruiz (1926-2010) was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. He pastored churches in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Texas, and Florida, including Hispanic minister of Tamiami Baptist Church, Miami. He and his wife, Divina Perez Ruiz had three sons.

H. W. RUMBLEY

H. W. Rumbley served as pastor of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, Bratt.

WALES HOWARD RUMBLEY

Wales Howard Rumbley (1881-) was born in Monroeville, Alabama. In 1920, Rumbley became the first pastor of Highland Baptist Church, Molino. Rumbley married Minnie Lee Howell in 1901 and they had five children.

STEPHEN RUMMAGE

Stephen N. Rummage (b. 1968, Greensboro, North Carolina) was elected by the State Board of Missions to serve as the eleventh executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention effective August, 2024. He came to the Florida position from the Quail Springs Baptist Church Oklahoma City, Okla., where he was senior pastor between 2019 and 2024. Rummage previously served as senior pastor, Bell Shoals Church, Brandon, FL. (2009 – 2019); co-pastor, Hickory Grove Church, Charlotte, N.C. (2004 – 2009); as well as North Carolina churches in Cary, Rocky Mount, and Castalia. He also has served, between 1997 and 2024, as an instructor and professor of preaching at Midwestern, Southeastern and New Orleans Baptist seminaries. Rummage holds a PhD degree in Preaching (1998) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; a MDiv degree (1993) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a BA degree (1990) from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Rummage married Michele Henderson on June 6, 1991, and they have a son Joshua (b. 1997).

W. J. RUNNELS

W. J. Runnels served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka (1962-1969).

WARREN RUSH

Warren Rush served as pastor of Parkway Baptist Church, Florida Association.

MILTON M. RUSS

Milton M. Russ (1931-2004) was born in Memphis, TN to Matthew and Katie Russ. Russ was a graduate of the University of Florida where he played football and Tennessee Temple Divinity School. He also played pro football for the Orlando Broncos. Russ served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway. At the time of his death Russ was married to Jerrilyn Rollins Russ and he and his first wife had two daughters.

J. F. RUSSELL

J. F. Russell(-1934) served as pastor of El Bethel Baptist Church, Tampa. Russell died in 1934.

PAUL H. RUSSELL

Russell,Paul-H.
Paul H. Russell (December 14, 1962- ) was born in Florence, Alabama. He attended Georgia Tech (B.S., 1986) and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1992). Russell served as pastor of Taylor Baptist Church (1992-1995) in Taylor, Mississippi before coming to Florida as pastor of Sunridge Baptist Church in Sebring, Florida (1995-2002). Russell has served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Punta Gorda since 2002. Russell has served as moderator of the associations where he has ministered. He married Karen Lynn Beckham Russell on September 20, 1986.

R. T. RUSSELL

R. T. Russell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Quincy.

ROBERT H. RUSSELL

Robert H. Russell was pastor of Lake Worth and Delray in 1920.

A. L. RUTLEDGE

A. L. Rutledge served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento.

HERSCHEL RUTLEDGE

Herschel Rutledge served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

HENRY DANIEL RYALS

Henry Daniel Ryals (1845-1933) was born in Columbia County, Florida. He and his father served in the Civil War in the Union Army. Henry was ordained in 1885 and served as pastor of a number of churches in the Zephyrhills area. Ryals was the father of fourteen children and was survived by 42 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

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