Biographies R

November 23, 2020

Biographies T

November 23, 2020

Biographies S

C. W. SADLER, SR.

C. W. Sadler, Sr. served as pastor of Lutz Baptist Church, Six Mile Pond Baptist Church, Zephyrhills (now Westside), Bethel Baptist Church and Broadway Baptist Church. He and his wife Clara Mae Sadler had three sons.

GEORGE W. SADLER, JR.

George W. Sadler, Jr. (May 18, 1942-March 27, 2015) is the son of George and Alice Sadler. He was born in York, South Carolina. He was converted at age nine, and was baptized into the Fishing Creek Baptist Church in York. Sadler attended Chaplin College (B.A.), Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, Morehouse (M.Div.), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He has served as pastor in North Carolina and Georgia. He served as pastor of Fortieth Street Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida from 1989-2015. Sadler has served as chaplain at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital since 1984, and is president of Baptist Fellowship Bible College in Tampa. He has received numerous denominational, government, and civic awards. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, in 1995.

WILEY “BUDDY” SADLER

Wiley “Buddy” Sadler (1941-1996) was the son of Mildred Clara and Jessie Willard Sadler, Sr. He served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Taylor County, 1974.

PERLEY G. SAFFORD

Perley G. Safford (1921-2007) served as a pastor in Central Florida for over 50 years. He served in the United States Army and graduated from Stetson University. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento, Fort McCoy, Morriston, and Olivet Baptist in Marion County. He was the founding pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in Ocala. He and his wife had a son Richard and two daughters, Sharon and Faith.

J. E. SAFRIET

J. E. Safriet served as pastor of Beverly Hills Baptist Church, Jacksonville and Yulee Baptist Church.

WALTER H. SALTER, SR.

Salter,Walter

Walter H. Salter Sr. (August 1, 1904-June 5, 1994) was born in Wilcox County, Georgia. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1926. Salter retired from the Jacksonville Electric Authority in 1946, and served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church in Hilliard, North Fourteenth Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, and Barford Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He and his wife, LaVerna, had four children, Richard, LaVerna, Walter, Jr., and Robert.

RONALD SALVO

Ronald Salvo served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge.

W. D. SALYERS

W. D. Salyers served as pastor of Hogan Baptist Church and Franklin Street Baptist Church, Jacksonville. His wife was Eva Salyers.

EDWARD SAMPLES

Edward Samples served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Zephyrhills, 1975-1976 and San Mateo Baptist Church, during his ministry the name was changed to First Baptist Church, San Mateo.

C. T. SAMPSON

C. T. Sampson was a Barnabas for Stetson University. He gave the school $70,000 at a very crucial time. Trustees were given authority to use $50,000 as they saw fit and $20,000 was to be kept intact at interest for the consistent increase of the library that bears his name. Sampson died in 1894. At that time, Stetson had an enrollment of 208.

JAMES C. SAMS

James C. Sams (1911-1985) was serving as president of the National Baptist Convention of America when he died in Jacksonville in 1985. He was president of the convention for 15 years. He also served as president of the Florida Progressive Baptist Convention for 17 years. Sams was a native of Cochran, Georgia. Ebony magazine named him in the top 100 most influential Black Americans every year from 1971 until the time of his death. He served as pastor in Jacksonville for 32 years. His wife was Cornelia Sams.

BILLY SANDERS

Billy Sanders served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church.

E. C. SANDERS

E. S. Sanders served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Zolfo Springs.

GUY S. SANDERS III

Sanders,Guy

Guy S. Sanders III (1948- ) is a graduate of Clemson (1970, B.A.), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1973, Th.M.). He has served in Kansas, and at LifeWay in Nashville, Tennessee, as a consultant for FAITH. He has served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Lake Wales (1982-1994), and became pastor of First Baptist Church in New Port Richey in 2000. In 1991, Sanders served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. He and his wife, Phyllis, have two daughters, Ashleigh and Andrea.

HAROLD GLEN SANDERS

Harold Glen Sanders (August 2, 1907-October 30, 1986) was born at Aurora, Missouri. He was the son of Charles Theodore Sanders and Margaret Ellen Wheeler Sanders. He had four brothers; Carl (1897), William (1899), Joseph (1901), and Earl (1909). He also had sisters; Mildred (1903) and Marie (1905.). Sanders was converted at age 17, and baptized into First Baptist Church in Webb City, Missouri. He was licensed in 1927 at Webb City, and ordained by the Pleasant Home Baptist Church in Spruce, Missouri in 1933. He graduated from Webb City High School in 1925, and attended Southwest Baptist College (A.A., 1930), William Jewell College (A.B., 1932), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1937; Th.D., 1941). Sanders married Mary Lou Myers on April 30, 1936. They had two adopted children; Margaret Ellen (1946), and Harold II (1946). Mrs. Sanders was killed in an automobile accident on October 4, 1950. Dr. Sanders married June Celeste Holloway on August 1, 1952 at Marion, Ohio. They had two children; Susan in 1953, and Ronald in 1954. Sanders served as pastor in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama. He served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain in the Pacific in World War II (1943-1946). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida from 1946 to 1961, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Stetson in 1961. In 1954, Sanders served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. He then served as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention from 1961 until his retirement in 1972.

IRA W. SANDERS

Ira W. Sanders served as pastor of the West Palm Beach Baptist Church, 1917 and First Baptist Church, Cocoa.

KENNETH G. SANDERS

Sanders,Kenneth

Kenneth G. Sanders graduated from Stetson University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sanders served as pastor of Scott Lake Baptist Mission, 1972, Trinity in Apopka; Edgewood in Lakeland; and in 1980, went as pastor of Turkey Creek in Plant City.

LESLIE E. SANDERS

Leslie E. Sanders was ordained on December 9, 1942, at Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended South West Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri; William Jewell (A.A.); Texas Wesleyan (B.A.); and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.M.). Sanders served as pastor of Valverdre Baptist Church in Rogers, Texas; Golden Gate Baptist Church in Oakland, California; Downtown Southern Baptist Church in Los Angeles; First Baptist Church, Chipley; Woodland Baptist Church in Jacksonville; and West Broadway in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders and his wife, Jeanne, had two daughters, Sandra and Sharon.

LEVANT SANDERS

Levant Sanders was the son of Gene Arthur and Marjorie Yoder Sanders. He served as pastor of churches in Georgia and Florida, including Olga Baptist Church, Fort Myers, 1986-1988.

WILLIAM IRA SANDERS

Sanders,William

William Ira Sanders served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Jacksonville for 39 years until his death (1921-1959). He was born and raised in Florida. At the time of his death he held the living record for the longest continual pastoral service in any Southern Baptist Church in Florida. He served as a Baptist minister for 51 years. He served as pastor of First Church West Palm Beach, Cocoa and Titusville. He also served as clerk of the Jacksonville Baptist Association from 1921-1959. Sanders was a graduate of Columbia College in Lake City (A.B. 1914), and attended Crozer University in Pennsylvania and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He married Sallie Childs Harrison in 1920, who was a native of South Carolina and a graduate of Rollins College.( -1959) attended Columbia College, Lake City.

E. E. SANFORD

E. E. Sanford (1853-1918) was born in Davis County, Indiana, and was licensed to preach at his home church in Washington, Indiana, on November 22, 1879. He was ordained at Edwardsport Church in Edwardsport, Indiana, on September 29, 1882. He was pastor at Edwardsport and Maria Creek churches in Indiana before moving to Winter Haven, Florida, and serving as pastor from 1905-1908. Sanford also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Meade and Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Plant City, 1908.

FRED SANFORD

Fred Sanford a native of Baker, Florida, served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt. He and his wife Gail also served as missionaries in Africa.

CHARLES B. SANSOM

Charles B. Sansom served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

CHRISTIAN E. SANON

Christian E. Sanon (1958- ) was born in Marigot, Jacmel, Haiti. He graduated from the University Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Dominican Republic, and attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, (East Central Missouri E.L. D. Center). Sanon served as director, Haitian Church Planting Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Christiane Brutus Sanon, have three children.

T. J. SANTERFIET

T. J. Santerfiet served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1975-1977.

AMAURY SANTOS

Amaury Santos (1972- ) was born in Azua, Dominican Republic. He graduated Florida Atlantic University. Santos served as Language Church Planting Missionary, North Central Florida from 2005-2007. He served as pastor of Hispanic Congregation First Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, 1998-2002 and Hispanic Congregation Grace Fellowship Church, West Palm Beach, 2002-2005. Santos and his wife, Stephanie have two sons.

ALFRED SAPP

Alfred Sapp served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka.

E. E. SAPP

E. E. Sapp served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg.

EARL A. SAPP

Earl A. Sapp (1931-2012) was a native of Leon County. He graduated from Florida State University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sapp served as pastor of First Baptist Church, St. Marks, Aucilla Baptist Church, Lamont Baptist Church and Parkway Baptist Church, Tallahassee. Sapp taught Philosophy of Religion and Psychology at Tallahassee Community College for 26 years. Sapp and his wife Elna had one son.

JACK SAPP

Jack Sapp served as pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

WILLIAM SAPP

William Sapp served as pastor of Piney Grove, Baptist Church, Cottondale.

O. S. SARGENT

O. S. Sargent served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Seabreeze (now Calvary Baptist Church), Daytona Beach.

DAN SARDINAS

Dan Sardinas graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 1999. Sardinas served as pastor in Pennsylvania and church planter in south Florida before becoming pastor of Northwest Baptist Church in Bradenton in 2013. He and his wife Lori have three children.

RALPH G. SASSER

Ralph G. Sasser (1922-1999) was born in Davisville, Florida. He served as pastor of Pine Barren Baptist Church, Davisville. He and his wife Ellafaire Luker had three children.

JOSEPH S. SATCHWELL

Joseph S. Satchwell (1862-1938) was born in Corbin, Kentucky. In 1920, Satchwell was called to pastor West Hill Baptist Church, Pensacola.

GLENDON DALE SAUCIER

Glendon Dale Saucier (1947-2001) served churches in Mississippi and Florida. In 1997 Saucier was called to serve as pastor of Cora Baptist Church, Jay. Saucier married Virginia Mae Thompson in 1965 and they had five daughters.

A. SAUGHTERY

A. Saughtey served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

C. T. SAULS

C. T. Sauls served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sorrento.

CLARENCE E. SAUNDERS

Clarence E. Saunders was a bi-vocational pastor in Florida who had a wonderful record of service. He was born in Clay County, but lived in Jacksonville from 1923 until his death in 1960. Saunders organized four Southern Baptist churches. They were Murray Hill, Lake Shore, and Edgewood Heights in Jacksonville, and Maxville Baptist Church in Maxville. He served as pastor at Lowery Memorial Baptist Church, Jacksonville, First Baptist Church in Grand Park, Trinity, Callahan, Yulee Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church Black Creek, Penney Farms. Saunders taught school for 35 years in Duval, Clay, and Nassau County schools. Saunders and his wife, Gladys, had one daughter, Annie, and a son, Curtis. Saunders died October 9, 1960.

JAMES C. SAUNDERS

James C. Saunders served as pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

JOHN ARCHIBALD SAUNDERS

John Archibald Saunders (November 21, 1871-February 21, 1953) was born at Woodville, Florida. He was converted and joined the Woodville church at an early age. In 1895 he married Maude Dye and they had three children. She died in 1900. Saunders became a minister in Leon County. He married Alma Parish in 1910. They had seven children. Saunders was ordained at the Woodlawn Baptist Church in Jacksonville on October 8, 1908. He was instrumental in organizing several churches in the Jacksonville area. In December 1921 he moved to Middleburg and served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County, 1925-1926 and First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

JOHN E. SAUNDERS, SR.

John E. Saunders Sr. (1928-2019) was born in Paoli, Ind., to the late Rev. J. Guy and Nida Cooke Saunders. He graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Saunders was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1957 and served as the pastor of churches in Indiana and Maryland. He served in ministry positions on the staff of the Baptist Convention of Maryland, Director of Missions in Missouri and on the staff of the Florida Baptist Convention as director, Church-Pastor-Staff Relations Department from 1983-1992. Saunders and his wife, Beverly Graham Saunders had four children.

LAURIE H. SAUNDERS

Laurie H. Saunders served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1956-1957.

McQUEEN SAUNDERS

McQueen Saunders served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1892.

WILLIAM B. SAUNDERS, JR.

William B. Saunders, Jr. (1925-1992) was a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1965. Saunders served as pastor of churches in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida, including First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg Beach. He and his wife, Hazel Carlson Saunders had one daughter.

W. L. SAVAGE

W. L. Savage served as pastor of First Baptist Church, West Palm Beach.

JOEL FLORIDA SAVELL

Joel Florida Savell (1863-1933) was born in Santa Rosa County, Florida to M. J. and Mary Elizabeth Savell. Savell attended Richmond College, Virginia, Howard College, Alabama, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky and the Baptist Theological Seminary, Rochester, New York. Savell pastored churches in New York, Missouri, and Tennessee before moving to Florida. In 1917, he became pastor of First Baptist Church, Palatka. Savell also served churches in Wauchula, Florida until his death in 1933. Savell married Mary B. Cambrom in 1889 and the had seven children; Mattie Buena, Lion Morton, James Merae, Joseph Fayron, Alili Benjamin, Quila Vista and Sipta Virginia.

JAMES A. SAWYER

James A. Sawyer (1912-2002) held an honorary doctorate from Stetson, and served in numerous denominational positions. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Brooksville and First Baptist Church in Cocoa for 27 years (1940-1967). He and his wife had one daughter, Chrystene, and three sons, William, James Jr., and Thomas.

ROBERT E. SAWYER

Sawyer,Robert-E.

Robert E. Sawyer (1928-1983) was a native of Miami. He was a graduate of Stetson and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Pembroke Road Baptist Church in Miramar for 26 years (1957-1983). He was the first pastor of the church and that was the only pastorate he ever had. He founded Penbroke Christian Academy. He helped begin Pine Lakes Baptist Church, and a Spanish mission. He and his wife, Ann, had three sons, David, Joel, and Robert Jr.

SHERWOOD E. SAWYER

Sawyer,Sherwood

Sherwood E. Sawyer (February 15, 1932- ) was born in Garland, Maine, the son of Kenneth and Helen Sawyer. He is married to Ruth Rowe, and they have two sons, Tim and Paul, and had one daughter, Lois Anne, who died in 1956. Sawyer attended Ricker College, the University of Maine (B.A.), and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor in Maine and Pennsylvania before becoming pastor of Bethel Creek Baptist Church in Lafayette County.

DONALD E. SCHEETZ, SR.

Donald E. Scheetz, Sr. (1936-2020) was born in Flora, Illinois. He graduated from the Florida Baptist Theological College, Graceville in 1978 and North Florida Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, 1985. Sheetz served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church. He and his wife Sharon Diane Hoeft Sheetz have three children.

P. C. SCHILLING

P. C. Schilling was a native of Texas. He served as pastor of churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, including Nocatee Baptist Church, 1922 and Jackson Heights Baptist Church, Tampa.

PAUL W. SCHLEGEL

Paul W. Schlegel served as pastor of Venetia Terrace Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

HENRY SCHOL

Henry Schol (1918-2008) was born to Cornelius and Anna Schol. He graduated from Northwestern Bible College. He pastored churches in Minnesota, Illinois and Florida. In Florida he pastored numerous churches throughout the state from St. Pete to Jacksonville. Schol served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 1967-1971. He was married to Phyllis Temple Schol (b. 1919- d.1952) and Dorothy M. Schol (b. 1920- d. 2008). He had eight children.

EUGENE SCHULTZ

Eugene Schultz served as pastor of Green Pond Baptist, Polk City.

MICHAEL JOSEPH SCHULTZ

Michael Joseph Schultz (1898-1967) was a native of Scott Haven, Pennsylvania. He served as pastor of Baptist churches in Mango, Wauchula, Umatilla, Tampa, and Eastside Baptist Church, Lakeland, 1949-1956. Schultz was the first pastor of North Park Baptist Church, Orlando.

JOE SCIAME

Joe Sciame served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Key Largo, 1959-1962, North Rome Baptist Church, Tampa.

A. C. SCOTT

A. C. Scott served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge, 1973-1975.

ADAM K. SCOTT

Adam Scott (1980-) graduated from Florida State University (2002, B. S.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2006, M. Div.). In 2008 he went as pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

C. E. SCOTT

C. E. Scott served in the Jackson County Baptist Association and died in 1927.

EDWIN E. SCOTT

Edwin E. Scott graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO., and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served three pastorates and as a director of missions of the St. Johns River Baptist Association before joining the faculty of The Baptist College of Florida in 2006.

FRANK A. SCOTT, SR.

Frank A. Scott, Sr. served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel). His wife was Sandy Scott.

J. S. SCOTT

J. S. Scott died in 1904 after serving as pastor in the West Florida Baptist Association.

PITT MERCER SCOTT, SR.

Pitt Mercer Scott, Sr., (September 4, 1876-February 15, 1946) served for ten years as pastor of the Sandy Creek Baptist Church. He also served as pastor of Laurel Hill, Baker, Hurricane, New Hope, Leonia, Pleasant Home, and Sandy Creek in Northwest Florida. Scott was born in New Hope in Holmes County, Florida, the son of Judge and Mrs. W. W. (Lillie Ora Isabell Smith) Scott. He married Celia Wilkes and they had two sons; Pitt Jr., and Clark; and two daughters: Mrs. T. D. Sutton, and Mrs. J. W. Olfson.

RODNEY P. SCOTT

Rodney P. Scott was ordained by Green Pond Baptist, Polk City and later served as the pastor.

THOMAS E. SCOTT

Thomas E. Scott served as pastor of Unity Baptist Church.

WILLIAM SCOTT

William Scott served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Odessa.

D. DOUGLAS SCRIVNER

D. Douglas Scrivner served for 33 years as a pastor in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Delray Beach at the time of his death on July 18, 1965.

JAMES H. SCROGGINS, IV

James H. Scroggins IV is a graduate of Jacksonville University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. Div. and PhD.). He served as dean of Boyce College and in 2008 became pastor of First Baptist Church West Palm Beach. He and his wife Kristin have seven children.

JIMMY SCROGGINS

Jimmy Scroggins (1971-) grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Arcadia. He completed his masters and doctoral degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Scroggins spent 15 years in Louisville including time served as Dean of Baptist College at Southern. He became pastor of First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach in 2008 and he and his wife Kristin have seven children.

EDWARD L. SCRUGGS

Scruggs,Eddie

Edward L. Scruggs (March 5, 1917-December 9, 2001) was born at Sandersonville, Mississippi. He was licensed in 1939 by the Plainview Baptist Church in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and ordained in 1945 at the Carrolton Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Scruggs graduated from Bogalusa High School (1935), Jones Junior College, Ellisville, Mississippi (1942), Mississippi College (1943), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1951, Th.D., 1953). Scruggs taught at Runnellstown High School at Hattiesburg, Mississippi (1944-1947), and served as pastor at Sand Hill Baptist Church, Indian Hill, and Unity, all in Leakesville, Mississippi (1944-1946). He was pastor of County Line, Prospect, and Indian Springs Baptist Church in Hattiesburg (1946-1947). He was pastor of Plainview in Bogalusa (1948-1953), State Line in Mississippi (1953-1954), and First Baptist Church, Citronelle, Alabama (1958-1962). Scruggs then taught at Baptist Bible Institute from 1962-1982. Scruggs married Odelia Douglas of Clara, Mississippi, and they had three daughters; Lethy (1945), Adria (1949), and Nelda (1947). No one ever loved missions and mission work more than the Scruggs.

W. L. SCULL

W. L. Scull served as pastor of Whitecastle Baptist Church.

DAVID SCURLOCK

David Scurlock graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Troy State University, AL. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Century and Plainview Baptist Church, Pensacola. He and his wife Betty have three sons.

CECIL W. SEAGLE

Cecil W. Seagle (1959- ) was born in Madison County, NC. He graduated from Wofford College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Seagle served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, 1986-1991. He served as Director of Evangelism, 1982-1984; Director, Florida Baptist Men’s Department, 1991-1994 and Director Mission Division, 1994-2011 for the Florida Baptist Convention. Seagle and his wife, Peggie Hames Seagle have two sons.

MARK SEAGLE

Mark Seagle graduated from Auburn University and the University of Alabama. He served as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Crestview for 12 years. In 2012, he went as pastor to Mandarin Baptist Church. He and his wife Susan have five children.

ALAN SEAY
Seay,Alan
Alan Seay and his wife, Lee, were natives of Spartanburg, South Carolina. He served as pastor of Orsino Baptist Church in Merritt Island before being appointed as a foreign missionary to Belize. He and his wife were killed April 29, 1988, in a tragic automobile accident when their car was struck head on by a British Army armored vehicle in a convoy near Orangewell Town, Belize. They were killed instantly, and were survived by their parents and three children.

DILLARD FLOYD SEBASTIAN

Dillard Floyd Sebastian, Sr. (March 26, 1893-March 6, 1951) was bornin Garrard County, Kentucky. He was converted at age 16, and baptized and ordained to the ministry at the Gilead Baptist Church. Sebastian attended Berea College, Georgetown College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. During his ministry he served six churches. Four churches in Kentucky and First Baptist Church in Plant City, Florida, from 1923 to 1930. Sebastian preached the Florida Baptist Convention sermon in 1936. He was named Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Plant City when he retired.

HOLLY SECRIST

Holly Secrist (1921-1985) was a native of West Virginia. He served as pastor of Walnut Hill Baptist Church, Wallace Baptist Church, Pine Level Baptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church and East Side Baptist Church all in Santa Rosa County. Secrist and his wife, Lynette Blocker Secrist, had three daughters and three sons

JOE SECRIST

Joe Secrist served as pastor of Wallace Baptist Church, Santa Rosa County.

CLARK SEGREST

Clark Segrest (1916-1967) was the son of Jessie Joseph and Lula Viola Collins Segrest. He served as pastor of Fort Dade Baptist Church, Dade City and Istachatta Baptist Church. Segrest and his wife, Emma Crew Barthelemey Segrest had three children.

H. G. SEGREST

H. G. Segrest served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

MARION A. SEIVER

Marion A. Seiver ( -2008) was born in Knight’s Station Community, Florida. He served as pastor of Six Mile Creek Baptist Church, Tampa and Berea Baptist Church, Dunedin. Seivers and his wife, Mary Lena Seiver had three children.

MELBORN EUGENE SELF

Melborn Eugene Self graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Tamiami Baptist Church, Miami, Faith Baptist Church, Tallahassee, and Graham Baptist Church, Hialeah.

WILLIAM SELF

William Self (1931- ) was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He graduated from Stetson University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Self was ordained by First Baptist Church, Delray Beach and served as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Palatka and West Bradenton Baptist Church. He and his wife, Carolyn Shealy Self had two children.

S. H. SELLECK

S. H. Selleck served as pastor of Emporia Baptist Church Pierson.

C. NORMAN SELLERS

C. Norman Sellers was born in Easton, Maryland and grew up in Seaford, Delaware. He was a WW 2 Veteran of the US Navy who dropped out of high school at age 17 to enlist. After the war he worked as an A P Supermarket Manager while starting his Biblical education. He was a graduate of Philadelphia Bible College, BS; Dallas Theological Seminary, Th.M; and Grace Theological Seminary, Th.D. For 28 years he taught Bible, Theology, and Greek at Miami Christian College, later becoming chairman of the Bible and Language Department. Eventually, MCC became Trinity International University. He was founder and retired president of National Bible College (NBC) from 1994-2019. Sellers served as the Senior Pastor at Twin Lakes Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL for 20 years. He also pastored churches in Indiana and Florida. He had a ministry spanning 64 years. Norman was married to Isabelle Fluharty in 1950-1989 until her passing. They had one son Ronald Sellers. In 1991, Norman married Mellony McMellon. Sellers passed away on October 25, 2020.

PRESTON BROOKS SELLERS

Preston Brooks Sellers (1921-1987) graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Winter Park, First Baptist Church, Tampa, East Hill, Pensacola, Norwood, West Palm Beach, and First Baptist Church, Tavares. He served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1956. He and his wife, Christine, had one daughter and one son.

TIM SELLERS

Tim Sellers served as pastor of Masaryktown Baptist Church.

W. D. SELLERS

In 1856 W. D. Sellers was pastor of Lake Bryant Baptist Church in Marion County and Mossy Grove Baptist Church in Sumter County.

MARION SENTELL

Marion Sentell was pastor of Belle Glade Baptist Church in 1936.

JOHN WALTON SENTERFITT

John Walton Senterfitt (March 8, 1872-April 10, 1945) served faithfully for 50 years as a minister in Florida. He was born near Milton, converted at age 17, felt the call to preach, and was ordained in 1895. He attended Florida State Normal School and Stetson University. While at Stetson, he served the church at Titusville. He served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt. Senterfitt was the first pastor of East Hill Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida from 1906 to 1912. He served as pastor of West Hill Missionary Baptist Church, (now Whitfield Memorial), First Baptist Church, Holt, Woodlawn in Jacksonville from 1912 to 1916, First Baptist Church in Marianna from 1916 to 1926, Crescent City in 1928, First Baptist Church in Brookville from 1928 to 1936, and Orange Park Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1937 until his retirement in 1939. Senterfitt served as assistant secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention for 16 years, and as secretary for six years. Senterfitt married Ira McCaskill of Santa Rosa County in 1905. They had three sons; John Jr., Edward, and Donald; and one daughter, Mrs. W. D. Gunter. He died April 10, 1945.

CHARLES H. SEXTON

Charlie Sexton was converted and called to preach in Orlando. He graduated from The Baptist College of Florida in 1983, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985. Sexton served as pastor of New Home at Graceville, Florida; First Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend in Weatherford, Texas; Cypress Baptist Church in Cypress, Florida, and First Baptist Church of Big Pine Key.

RICHARD HENRY SHACKLEFORD

Richard Henry Shackleford (1812-1869) was born in Georgia, the son of Nathaniel and Hannah Boone Shackleford. He was ordained in 1853 by Elizabeth Baptist Church, Monticello where he served as pastor from 1853-1854, 1862 and 1866-1868. Although primarily a Jefferson County farmer, Shackleford studied the law and worked as an attorney, in addition to serving as a bi-vocational pastor. Shackleford married Mary Jane Amanda Knighton Shackleford in 1841 and they had six children. After her death in 1863, Shackleford married Mary Mathers Shackleford in 1864 and they had one child. It is noteworthy that Rev. Shackleford was a member of the Florida Baptist Association-appointed committee that recommended the establishment of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

JOE SHAFRANEK

Joe Shafranek graduated from Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville. He was serving as pastor of Tenth Street Church in Palmetto in 1980.

DELOS L. SHARPTON

Sharpton,Delos

Delos L. Sharpton served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, and First Baptist Church, Donalsonville, Georgia (1977-1980), before becoming pastor of Miami Shores Baptist Church in 1980. In 2005, Sharpton became the President/CEO of Baptist Village.

CHARLES SHARRON

Charles Sharron was born in Cottonwood, Alabama. He graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sharron served as pastor of churches in Kentucky, Georgia and Florida, including First Baptist Church of Interlachen. He and his wife Frances Adams Sharron have two children.

BILL SHAW

Bill Shaw served as pastor of Oceanside Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale. After retiring in 2013, Shaw became a fulltime evangelist.

DAVID SHAW

David Shaw served as pastor of First Baptist Church at Bluewater Bay, Niceville.

FRANCES SHAW

Frances Shaw (1938- ) was born in Galveston, TX. She graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and East Texas Baptist College. Shaw served as Director, Women’s Missions and Ministries Department for the Florida Baptist State Convention, 1978-2003.

JACK A. SHAW

Jack A. Shaw was a native of Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Shaw. He graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shaw served as pastor of King Street Baptist Church, Cocoa, Frontenac Baptist Church, Sharpes, First Baptist Church, Madison, 1962-1965, and Westside Baptist Church, Gainesville, 1966-1968. He and his wife Faye Cox Shaw had two sons.

STEVE SHAW

Steve Shaw was born in East Orange, NJ, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dallas A. Shaw. He graduated from Central State University, Oklahoma and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shaw served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pomona Park. He and his wife Terry Hill Shaw have two children.

BOBBY SHEFFIELD

Bobby Sheffield served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church.

JAMES K. SHEFFIELD

James K. Sheffield (1846-1914) was born in Lafayette County, FL the son of Simeon B. and Elizabeth Yawn Sheffield. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Chiefland, Pine Grove Baptist Church, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Levy County. In. 1885, Sheffield was appointed missionary to Lafayette County, his duties were to organize and work up a religious sentiment among the people. Sheffield and his wife Linia Ann Roberts Sheffield married in 1866 and had seven children.

J. M. SHEFFIELD

J. M. Sheffield served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1910.

S. WARD SHEFFIELD

S. Ward Sheffield (1862-1953) was the son of Rev. Simeon B. and Elizabeth Yawn Sheffield. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Oviedo (1896), Morriston Baptist Church (1906-1908), Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs and Pine Grove Baptist Church, Trenton. Sheffield and his wife, Mary Frances Howell Sheffield had four daughters.

SIMEON SHEFFIELD

Simon Sheffield (1826-1902) was an orphan from Savannah, Georgia. He came with his brother-in-law, Wilson H. White, to Columbia County, Florida, in 1840. Sheffield farmed and was an over-seer of slaves until the emancipation. In 1831, Sheffield married another Georgia orphan, Elizabeth Yawn, at White Springs. Sheffield fell under conviction about baptism and was baptized by Orion Fryer at Alligator (Lake City today) and later called to preach. Sheffield served as a chaplain in the Civil War, and baptized many soldiers. In 1867, Sheffield became pastor at Ebenezer and Jonesville in Levy County. Sheffield was instrumental in the organization of Pine Grove Church on July 11, 1871. This was in the days of quiltings and rail splittings, thus the first church was built of pine logs. The Santa Fe River Baptist Association (before Harmony Association was formed) met with the Pine Grove Church, and the men slept in the cotton house. Later when the Harmony Baptist Association was formed, three different Sheffield sons served as moderators (J.S.C., Jim, and Ward).

YANCEY T. SHEHANE

Yancey T. Shehane served as pastor of Key West Baptist Church.

WILLLIAM ASHBURY SHELBY

William Ashbury Shelby and his wife, Betty, gave 1.5 acres of land near Pensacola for the construction of Beulah Baptist Church in 1880. Shelby served as the first pastor of the church (1880-1886).

A. C. SHELL

A. C. Shell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Century.

J. C. SHELL

J. C. Shell served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt and First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze.

JAMES SHELTON

James Shelton (1925-2013) was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of James Ernest and Marjorie Elizabeth Shelton. He attended Bob Jones University and graduated from the University of Florida. Shelton served as pastor of Coconut Grove Baptist Church, Miami, 1948-1950, First Baptist Church, Williston and First Baptist Church, Cedar Key. He and his wife, Sarah Lee Shelton had three children.

BILL SHEPHERD

Bill Shepherd was born in Kenly, NC. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1996. Shepherd was licensed to preach and ordained by Eliam Baptist Church, Melrose. He served as a full-time missionary volunteer in the area of Church Construction. Shepherd served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka. He and his wife Laura Simmons Shepherd have two daughters.

E. A. SHEPHERD

E. A. Shepherd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crescent City.

L. A. SHEPHERD

L. A. Shepherd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Chattahoochee and Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

RICHARD SHEPHERD

Richard Shepherd (1952- ) was born in Mobile, AL. He graduated from Mobile College, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shepherd served as director, Prayer/Spiritual Awakening Department Evangelism Division of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Linda Gail Fisher Shepherd have four children.

SAM SHEPHERD

Sam Shepherd served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville.

G. W. SHEPPARD

G. W. Sheppard served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lakeland in 1910 and 1911.

E. C. SHERIDAN

E. C. Sheridan served as pastor of Phoenix Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

V. V. SHERIDAN

V. V. Sheridan served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka.

D. B. SHEROUSE

D. B. Sherouse served as pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Sharron, 1939-1940 and Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka.

LeROY SHERRILL

LeRoy Sherrill served as pastor of Forest Heights Baptist Church, 1974-1976 and First Baptist Church, Destin.

F. H. SHERROD

F. H. Sherrod served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

LARRY SHERWOOD

Larry Sherwood graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Geneva, Florida, 1979-1988. Sherwood and his wife, Barbara Sherwood had two children.

WILLIAM SHIEL

William Shiel graduated from Sanford University and Baylor University. He served as pastor in Texas, FBC, Knoxville, Tennessee and FBC, Tallahassee, Florida (2013-1016). In 2016 Shiel became the 11th president of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago.

WILSON SHIELDS

Wilson Shields served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Polk County.

STEVE DON SHIPLEY

Steve Don Shipley (1939- ) was born in Dallas County, Texas, the son of Steve Herman and Vera Alice Luman Shipley. He graduated from Criswell Bible College. Shipley served as pastor of churches in Texas and Florida, including Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills, 1981-1983. He and his wife, Ardis M. Ragland Shipley (d.2002) had three children.

J. MARK SHIPP

J. Mark Shipp a former missionary served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Pace.

DAVID SHIRKEY

David Shirkey served as pastor of Shepherd’s Way Cowboy Church, Lecanto (formerly VineLife). His wife Jennie Shirkey serves along side of him in their ministry.

B. L. SHIRLEY

B. L. Shirley served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt and Oakdale Baptist Church, (Now Valley Road) Crestview.

HOKE H. SHIRLEY, JR.

Hoke H. Shirley, Jr. (1931-2018) was born in West Point, Georgia, the son of Beth and Hoke H. Shirley, Sr. He graduated from Stetson University and Tulane University School of Medicine. Shirley was ordained in 1951 by First Baptist Church, Pahokee where his father served as pastor. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lady Lake in 1951 while attending Stetson University. Shirley and his wife, Sarah Greenwood Shirley had four children.

HOKE H. SHIRLEY, SR.

Shirly,Hoke

Hoke H. Shirley, Sr. (1894-1985) was a native of Apple Valley, Georgaia. He graduated from Mercer University. Shirley served as pastor of First Baptist Church in West Point, Kirkwood Baptist Church in Atlanta, Central Baptist Church in Americus, all in Georgia before he moved to Florida. He served First Baptist Church in Ocala (1941-1944), First Baptist Church in Pahokee (1948-1951), First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Springs in Florida. He and his wife, Beth, had one daughter and one son.

ROBERT SHIRLEY

Robert Shirley served as pastor of Six Mile Pond Baptist Church, Zephyrhills (now Westside), 1959.

A. D. SHOEMAKER

A. D. Shoemaker was the second person to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crestview. He served in about 1918.

T. V. SHOEMAKER

T. V. Shoemaker served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach.

BERRY SHOLAR

Berry Sholar served as pastor and helped to build churches in Indiana and Florida, including Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Ft. Meade.

ROBERT E. SHOOK

Shook,Robert-E.

Robert E. Shook graduated from William Carey College, Hattiesburg, Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lantana, Southwest Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale and First Baptist Church in Eustis from 1970 to 1980. Shook and his wife, Darthy had three children.

W. ARNOLD SHOWER

W. Arnold Shower (1917-1996) was born in Summerfield, Kansas, the son of Wesley I. and Dora Fralin Shower. He graduated from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Shower served as pastor of churches in Oklahoma, North Carolina and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Oneco, 1957-1966, First Baptist Church, Fort Myers Beach, 1966-1973, Beach Baptist Church, Fort Myers Beach and Kathleen Baptist Church. He and his wife Marjorie Ford Shower had three children.

RANDY SHUERT

Randy Shuert was the son of Fred and Ruth Shuert. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Shuert served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Odessa and Sunset Point Baptist Church, Clearwater. He married Beverly Zimmerman in 1968.

A. C. SHULER

A. C. Shuler served as pastor of Franklin Street Baptist Church, Jacksonville and Calvary Baptist Church, Jacksonville. Shuler resigned from Franklin Street Baptist Church in 1918 to serve in the U. S. Army as chaplain.

E. L. SHULER

E. L. Shuler served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blountstown.

LONNIE H. SHULL, JR.

Lonnie H. Shull, Jr. was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served for 15 years as pastor of Northside Baptist Church in West Columbia, South Carolina from 1968 to 1983. In September 1983 he became pastor of First Baptist Church in Plant City.

JOHN W. SHY

John W. Shy served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1965-1969.

JOHN H. SIBLE

Sible,John-H.

John H. Sible, (1929-1992) was born in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Stetson University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sible was ordained by Spencer Memorial Baptist Church. He served as director of missions of Marion Association for 15 years. He grew up in Tampa. He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Sarasota, Northside Baptist Church, Ruskin, Palm Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, and First Baptist Church, Orange City. He and his wife, Grace, had a daughter, Pamela, and a son, John, Jr.

JAMES W. SIBOLE

James W. Sibole (1919-2014) was ordained at Forest Park Baptist Church, Vero Beach. He graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute. Sibole served as a Southern Baptist minister for 60 years. During his ministry he served at Wildwood Baptist Church, Bartow, Melrose Heights Baptist Church, Miami and Miami Lakes Baptist Church where he retired after 30 years of service. He and his wife Dorothy had one son Jerry.

GEORGE H. SIEG

George H. Sieg served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Geneva, Florida.

DONALD L. SIETMAN

Donald L. Sietman (1923-1993) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Frank E. and Clara Keller Sietman. He attended Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. During WWII, Sietman served as chaplain in the Air Force. He served as pastor of North East Park Baptist Church; North Boulevard Baptist Church, Tampa; First Baptist Church, Newberry; First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs; Lake Maggiore Baptist Church, Tampa; New Home Baptist Church, Perry; and Webster Memorial Baptist Church, Tampa. Sietman and his wife, Melba I. Sietman had two children.

C. A. SIKES

C. A. Sikes served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

DANIEL SIKES

Sikes,Daniel

Daniel Sikes (August 10, 1855-April 12, 1922) was the son of William and Nancy Sikes. He married Mary J. Lloyd and they had seven children. Sikes served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard, and as associational missionary in St. Mary River and Jacksonville Associations.

J. B. SILVA

J. B. Silva graduated from the University of Habana, Cuba. Silva served as pastor of Clark Memorial Baptist Church, Ybor City.

ARMANDO SILVERIO

Armando Silverio (1922-2000) was born in Joffre, Pennsylvania. He served as pastor of Armenia Baptist Church, Tampa; Calvary Baptist Church, St Augustine and also helped to start Moultrie and Crescent Beach Baptist Churches in St Augustine. He was the first home missionary to the Italian speaking community of Pittsburg. He and his wife, Geneva Baker Silverio, had three children; Beverly, Henry, and Milton.

B. L. SIMMONS

B. L. Simmons served as the fourth pastor of First Baptist Church, Crestview in 1923. Simmons was a widower with several small children. He was the first pastor to live on the field at Crestview.

CATALINE SIMMONS

Cataline Simmons served as the first pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Jacksonville from 1868-1880.

DANIEL SIMMONS

Daniel Simmons preached the opening sermon of the Alachua Association Meeting on November 11, 1848, at the Providence (Olusta Creek) Baptist Church in Columbia County. Simmons served as pastor of Bethlehem in Benton County, (1948); Alafia Baptist Church (1951); and Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

DAVID ALLEN SIMMONS

David Allen Simmons (1911-1967) was a graduate of the Falls Seminary in Toccoa, Georgia. He organized the Calvary Baptist Church in Monticello, and spent 40 years there. He also served as pastor in Virginia and Tennessee.

E. MASON SIMMONS

E. Mason Simmons served as pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Ponce de Leon (1971-1980), and in 1980 went as pastor of Whitfield Memorial Church in Pensacola.

EDWARD E. SIMMONS

Edward E. Simmons (1962- ) was born in San Antonio, TX. He graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Simmons was ordained and licensed to preach by Tabernacle Baptist Church, Palatka. He and his wife Amanda have four children.

ELIJAH SIMMONS

Elijah Simmons served as pastor of Norwood Community Church (formerly Mount Horeb), Jacksonville.

GERALD SIMMONS

Gerald Simmons served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Eustis.

J. B. SIMMONS

J. B. Simmons served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church.

LACY JAMES SIMMONS

Lacy James Simmons lived in the Dooly County, Georgia in the 1840s before going to Thomas County, Georgia, in the 1850s where he is named in a few church minutes. In one census he is listed as minister Midway MB. He was in Marion County, Florida, at Moss Bluff in the 1880 census of Florida. Simmons is listed in the 1851 Minutes of the Florida Baptist Association as the pastor of Union Church in Thomas County, Georgia and he is listed in a church history as a pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum. Simmons reportedly married a Creek or Cherokee Indian woman who died in childbirth with a son named James. He then married Nancy and together they raised quite a large family. A son, Joseph, was born when Lacy was 49 years old and was the great grandfather of Martha Post. He died in 1893.

L. W. SIMMONS

L. W. Simmons served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1930 and Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

MONROE SIMMONS

Monroe Simmons (1879-1945) was born in Geneva, Alabama the son of John Lilleton and Susann S. Hinson Simmons. He joined the Damascus Church in Graceville, Florida, in about 1919, and was ordained soon afterward serving as pastor 1939-141. Simmons served as a pastor and as a music teacher for forty years. Simmons served as chaplain in the state legislative for one year, and held various public offices in Holmes County, Florida. He served as pastor of Mt. Olive Church in Holmes County for 15 years. Other churches he served were Bethany Baptist Church and Union Hill Baptist Church, Holmes County. Simmons was married to Missie A. Powell Simmons (1876-1945) and he died in Tampa, Florida, on February 24, 1945.

PHILLIP E. SIMMONS

Phillip E. Simmons served as pastor of Neptune Baptist Church (1974-1978). He and his wife, Cheryl, had three children; Andrew, David, and Matthew.

ROBERT SIMMONS

Robert Simmons (1911-1976) was born at Oak Grove on August 20, 1911. Simmons was a farmer and a preacher. He served as pastor of numerous churches in the Hardee and DeSota County areas. He was pastor of Bethany Baptist Church of Myakka City in 1946-1947.

S. SIMMONS

In 1867 S. Simmons was pastor of Fort McCoy Church and Indian Spring Church in Marion County. In 1867 he was also pastor of Orange Creek Church in Putnam County.

STEVE E. SIMMONS

Steve E. Simmons served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Winter Garden, 1952-1954; Gapway Baptist Church, 1954-1960; Bethany Baptist Church, Cork; and Southside Baptist Church, South Mulberry.

W. M. SIMMONS

W. M. Simmons served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1903-1904) and Florahome Baptist Church, St. Johns River Association.

J. O. SIMMS

J. O. Simms served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blountstown.

WILLIAM SIMONS

William Simons served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tampa.

C. E. SIMPKINS

C. E. Simpkins served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville, and Fort McCoy Baptist Church, Marion County.

KENNETH SIMPSON

Kenneth Simpson served as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bradenton; Causeway Baptist Church, Tampa; Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Keysville; and Knights Baptist Church, Plant City, 1993-1997.

KENNETH C. SIMPSON

Kenneth C. Simpson (1927-1976) was born in North Carolina. He served as pastor of Lockwood Ridge Baptist Church and Mill Creek Baptist Church, Bradenton, 1972-1976. Simpson and his wife, Aileen Simpson had four children.

W. D. SIMPSON

W. D. Simpson served as pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church, Altha, 1885, Harmony Baptist Church, Providence Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Sneads and Sardis Baptist Church all of Grand Ridge.

A. T. SIMS

A. T. Sims served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Santa Rosa County.

JAMES C. SIMS

James C. Sims attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville and the University of Miami. Sims served as pastor of San Mateo First Baptist Church Riverside Baptist Church in Miami in 1924, First Baptist Church, Groveland and Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville.

JAMES SIMS

James Sims served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville.

KENNETH SIMS

Kenneth Sims served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church, Newberry, 1966-1971.

L. R. SIMS

L. R. Sims in 1860 was pastor of Sandy Creek, Ucheanna, Camp Creek, and Limestone in the West Florida Baptist Association. He lived at Ucheanna.

OLYN S. SIMS

Olyn S. Sims served as pastor of St. Andrews Baptist Church, Panama City.

T. J. SIMS

T. J. Sims served as pastor of Hatch Bend Baptist Church, Branford.

AARON SINGLETARY

Aaron Singletary (1926-1983) died of a heart attack while serving as pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Ona. He served one year from 1982 to 1983. He had just returned from Lake Yale where he had served for a week as camp pastor at Royal Ambassador camp and over 150 decisions had been made. Singletary had previously served as pastor at the First Baptist Churches of Wimauma, Alturas, Altha, Raiford, Hernando Beach, Cypress Baptist Church in Cypress, and Fellowship Baptist Church in Ocala. He and his wife, Margaret, had two daughters; Joyce and Janette, and two sons; Roy and Glenn.

DON SINGLETON

Don Singleton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee 1996-1997.

QUIMBY SIRMAN

Quimby Sirman (1911-1996) was born in Lowndes County, Georgia, the son of John Hamp and Lillie Bell Daughtry Sirman. He was ordained in 1941 at Golden Glades Baptist Church where he served as pastor. Sirman began a mission in Perrine and in the Everglades. He served as pastor of Bird Road Baptist Church, Sunset Baptist Church, Hialeah, Lake Harbor Baptist Church, Hollywood Beach Garden Mission, and West Gate Baptist Church, West Palm Beach. Sirman and his wife, Evelyn Crippen Sirman, had one daughter.

L. VERNON SISCO

L. Vernon Sisco was a native of Jackson, Tennessee. He graduated from Union University, Jackson and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sisco served as pastor of churches in Michigan and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Miami Beach. He and his wife, Mildred Harlow Sisco had four children.

J. W. SISEMORE

J. W. Sisemore served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Port St. Joe.

J. M. SKELTON

J. M. Skelton came to Florida from North Georgia. Skelton was pastor of Orange Glade in 1924. Orange Glade was on the Tamiami Trail and was constituted in 1924.

ELWIN L. SKILES

Skiles,E.L.

Elwin L. Skiles left Georgetown Baptist Church in Georgetown, Kentucky, to become pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola (1949-1953). He and his wife, Ruth, had two children, Winn and Ann Colier. Skiles was a graduate of Baylor and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a chaplain in World War II, and was pastor in Virginia and Kentucky before going to Florida. Skiles resigned from First Baptist Church in Pensacola in 1953 to go as pastor of First Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas.

J. E. SKINNER

J. E. Skinner served as pastor of Palm Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa.

MARK ANDERSON SKINNER

Skinner,Mark-A.

Mark Anderson Skinner (August 19, 1956- ) attended Bible College at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and completed his B.A. and master’s degrees at Andersonville Seminary. He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters, Kristen and Kaitlin. Skinner has served as pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Boynton Beach (1980-1985); Charity Baptist Church, New Salisbury, Indiana (1986-1994); Anchor Baptist Church, Seville, Florida (1994-1998); Calvary Baptist Church, Jacksonville (1998-2000), and Medulla Baptist Church, Lakeland.

R. S. SKINNER

R. S. Skinner served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Havana.

D. A. SKIPPER

D. A. Skipper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Hickory Level, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, all in West Florida and died June 7, 1886.

J. C. SKIPPER

J. C. Skipper served as pastor at Damascus in West Florida Association in 1879, and Hickory Grove in Dale County, Alabama; and Beaver Creek in Geneva County, Alabama.

KYLE SLATER

Kyle Slater served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Wewahitchka, 1981-1984 and Lake Carroll Baptist Church.

JAMES J. SLEDGE

James J. Sledge served as pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church, Bartow, 1965-1970; New Home Baptist Church, Tampa and Pine Grove Baptist Church, Tampa. He and his wife, Betty Sledge had three daughters.

R. R. SLEDGE

R. R. Sledge (1907-1970) was a native of Kentucky. He served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church, 1944-1945. Sledge and his wife, Vera Kelly Sledge, had five children.

WILLIAM H. SLEDGE

William H. Sledge (1870-1966) graduated from Wake Forest College, 1894. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Miami; Miami Beach Baptist Church; and West Little River Baptist Church, Miami. He was married to Lilliam Sledge.

ROY SLIVERS

Roy Slivers served as pastor of Lake Panasoffkee Baptist Church.

DANIEL SLOAN

Daniel Sloan (1811-1888) served as a Florida Baptist pastor in Polk, Lake and Sumter counties.

J. W. SLOAN

J. W. Sloan served as pastor of Jackson Heights Baptist Church, Tampa.

SAMUEL CRAFT SLOAN

Samuel Craft Sloan (1875- ) served as pastor of Emmaus Baptist Church, Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Turkey Creek Baptist Church, 1902, and Kathleen Baptist Church, both of Pasco County, Bethel Baptist Church, Socrum and Knights Baptist Church, Plant City.

W. A. SLOAN

W. A. Sloan (1892-1963) served as pastor of Jackson Heights Baptist Church in Tampa, and First Baptist Church in Fort Meade. He was also instrumental in the establishment of Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland. After leaving Florida, Sloan served on the faculty of Clear Creek Baptist College in Pineville, Kentucky, and as president of West Kentucky Baptist Bible Institute in Clinton, Kentucky.

DANIEL SLOWN

Daniel Slown in 1877 was pastor of New Hope Church at Webster.

STEVE SMARTT

Steve Smartt served as pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 2002-2004.

T. M. SMILEY

T. M. Smiley was scheduled to preach the annual sermon of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1947, but died in Lake City on August 14, 1947. He had served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Live Oak, for seven years. He and his wife, Mabel, had three sons; T. M. Jr., James, and Jack.

ANDREW M. SMITH

Andrew M. Smith (1895-1996) served as pastor to Seventh Avenue Baptist Church (1943-1948), Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, New Bethel Baptist Church and Klondike Baptist Church (1961-1967). Smith married Clara Callahan in 1917 and they had six children. Smith lived to be 101 preaching until the 1995 in the Pensacola area.

ARCHIE SMITH

Archie Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

AUSTIN SMITH

Austin Smith, the first African American preacher of record in Florida. Smith was a slave who, in 1843, had been licensed and ordained to preach by Charles C. Lewis at the Key West church. He served as interim preacher for the African Americans and conducted prayer meetings each week.

B. G. SMITH

B. G. Smith (1872-1924) was born in Twig County, Georgia, and was educated at Locust Grove Institute and Mercer University. He began to preach early in life and was a gifted pastor and evangelist. He was pastor of College Street Baptist Church in Dade City, Florida, at the time of his death.

BELDON SMITH

Beldon Smith (-2004) was born in Kingsport, TN to parents Kyle Morrison, Sr. and Anna Mae Strong Smith. Smith pastored Southern Baptist Churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida including Wesconnett Baptist Church and Venetia Terrace Baptist Church, Jacksonville. He and his wife Juanita Hammond Smith had one son and one daughter.

BEN SMITH

Ben Smith (1971- ) was born in Dallas, TX. He graduated from Southern Methodist University and Asbury Theological Seminary. Smith served as director, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Jacksonville for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Jennifer Batts were married in January, 2000.

BILL SMITH

Bill Smith (1890-1972) served as dean of the Baptist Bible Institute in the 1940s when it was in Lakeland. He also served as pastor of East Thonotosassa Baptist Church during this time. After leaving Florida, Smith became dean of the Clear Creek Mountain Preacher s Bible School in Pineville, Kentucky. He died March 18, 1972, in Oklahoma City.

BRUCE SMITH

Bruce Smith served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church (now Valley Road), Crestview.

C. ROY SMITH

C. Roy Smith (1933-2009) was the son of Lawrence and Eulala Cox Smith. He attended Georgia Southwestern College, the University of Georgia and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith served as pastor of churches in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Port St. Lucie. He and his wife, Betty Burgess Smith, had three children.

C. S. SMITH

C. S. Smith graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Kentucky and Florida, including, Talleyrand Road, Jacksonville; First Baptist Church, Lake Alfred, 1947-1949; Westside Baptist Church, Fort Pierce; Antioch Baptist Church, Gainesville; Fort Ogden Baptist Church, Arcadia; Samoset Baptist Church; Charlotte Harbor Baptist Church; Wahneta Baptist Church, Winter Haven; and First Baptist Church, Cedar Key.

CARNIE E. SMITH

Carnie E. Smith served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville and First Baptist Church, Ensley.

CHARLES SMITH

Charles Smith served as pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Gainesville and River Road Baptist Church, Palatka 1958-1960. He and his wife Laura had two daughters.

CHARLES T. SMITH

Charles T. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hawthorne.

CHARLES W. SMITH

Charles W. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pompano Beach.

CLIF SMITH

Clif Smith graduated from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, and in 2003 was serving as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Vernon. He previously served as pastor of Rocky Creek Baptist Church in the Chipola Association. He and his wife, Bettie, have two children, Andrew and Abbie.

COLUMBUS SMITH

Columbus Smith served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1864-1865.

CURTIS B. SMITH, SR.

Curtis B. Smith Sr. (1936-2002) served as pastor in Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado and Florida including Bayou George First Baptist Church, Panama City. He and his wife, Jean had three children.

D. E. SMITH

D. E. Smith served as pastor of Fort McCoy Baptist Church, Marion County.

D. S. SMITH

D. S. Smith was the son of Jonah E. and Jennie Smith. He was ordained in 1952 by the First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs where he served as pastor from 1952-1964. Smith also served as pastor of Orient Park Baptist Church, Tampa and First Baptist Church, Inverness.

DAN SMITH

Dan Smith served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1936-1937) and East Palatka First Baptist Church.

DARREL SMITH

Darrel Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopcoppy.

DON SMITH

Don Smith served as pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Baker and First Baptist Church, Sneads.

DWIGHT L. SMITH

Dwight L. Smith graduated from William Carey College (B.A., 1965), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1971), and Luther Rice Seminary (D.Min., 1979). Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Quincy (1972-1979). He and his wife, Jeri, had three children; Angie, Bryan, and Bruce. Jeri died in 1984 of a rare lung disease. Smith later married Diane Walker, and they live in Ellisville, Mississippi, where Dwight is pastor of West Ellisville, Mississippi Baptist Church.

E. LEE SMITH

E. Lee Smith (1866-1944) was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and ordained by the Bluff City Baptist Church, Tennessee. Smith served as pastor of churches in Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Orlando, Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala, Osteen Baptist Church, Orlando, First Baptist Church, Oviedo, First Baptist Church, Winter Garden, First Baptist Church, Winter Park, First Baptist Church, Geneva, First Baptist Church, Lake Monroe, First Baptist Church, Apopka, First Baptist Church, Umatilla, First Baptist Church, Conway and Lockhart Baptist Church.

EMMITT P. SMITH

Emmitt P. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

FREDDIE SMITH

Freddie Smith is a native of Waycross, GA. He served as pastor of Central Baptist Church, Sanford and First Baptist Church, Naples.

GORDON T. SMITH

Gordon T. Smith was a native of Tahoka, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith served as pastor of churches in Texas and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Windermere. He and his wife, Nancy Smith had two children.

H. TALMADGE SMITH

H. Talmadge Smith was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Howard College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith served as pastor of Cinco Bayou Baptist Church, Fort Walton; Gold Coast Baptist Church, Palm Beach and Perdido Bay Baptist Church, Pensacola. He and his wife, Johnnie had two children

HENRY W. SMITH

Henry W. Smith served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Peace River Association, 1922, New Hope Baptist Church, 1924, and Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1929.

HUGH SMITH

Hugh Smith served as pastor of Millview Baptist Church (now Blue Angel), Escambia County.

J. K. SMITH

J. K. Smith was pastor of Ojus Baptist Church in 1914.

J. M. SMITH

J. M. Smith served as a Baptist pastor of Campville and died in Santa Fe River Association in 1934.

J. P. SMITH

J. P. Smith was pastor of the Cottondale Church and the Chipley Church in 1890. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna from 1891 to 1894.

J. R. SMITH

J. R. Smith was pastor of Seaboard Park Baptist Church in 1931.

JACOB HORACE SMITH, JR.

Jacob Horace Smith, Jr. (1852-1875) was born in Dahlonega, Georgia. He was baptized in 1865 in Atlanta and licensed to preach in 1871 in Rome, Georgia. He studied at Mercer University (1871-1873) and then became a school teacher and preacher in Florida. Smith served as pastor of Harmony Baptist Church at Enterprise, Florida. In 1874 he became a Home Mission Board preacher and had to soon give that up due to poor health. He died in Jacksonville on April 13, 1875.

JAMES SMITH

James Smith graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville and Mobile College, Mobile, Alabama. He served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs and Westview Baptist Church, Plant City.

JAMES SMITH

James Smith served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Daytona Beach (formerly Seabreeze), 1977.

JAMES A. SMITH, SR.

James A. Smith, Sr. (1964- ) served as editor of the Florida Baptist Witness from 2002 to 2013. He is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Dallas (Texas) Baptist University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith worked two years as director of communications at the Republican Study Committee in the U. S. House of Representatives. He subsequently served as a news and information specialist for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2001, Smith became editor of the Florida Baptist Witness where he served until 2013. He returned to Southern Seminary where he served as executive editor and chief spokesman, 2013 – 2016; followed by the National Religious Broadcasters, 2016 – 2019; and then to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is the associate vice president for communications from 2019 to present (2024). He is married to Linda Seabrooke Smith.

JEFFIE SMITH

Jeffie Smith served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1953.

JOHN SMITH

John Smith served as pastor of Tropic Isles Baptist Church.

JOHN D. SMITH

Smith,John-D.

John D. Smith graduated from Stetson University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He went as pastor of First Baptist Church in Wahneta in March 1980.

JOHN T. SMITH

John T. Smith served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol.

JOSEPH H. SMITH

Joseph H. Smith (1847-1924) was born in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, in 1847. Smith moved to Florida in 1886, and organized the First Baptist Church, Bushnell. Smith also pastored churches in Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Emmaus and Good Hope. Smith died in January 19, 1924 at the age of 76. He was survived by his wife Florence.

JOSHUA SMITH

Joshua Smith (January 31, 1954- ) was born in Mocho, Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I., and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and Jacksonville, Florida. He is the son of Sir Uriah Smith and Matie-Bel Smith. Smith attended high school in Jamaica, and received the A.A. degree from St. Andrew Tech, the B.A. from Jamaica Bible College, and has done graduate studies at Jacksonville University and Luther Rice Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.). Smith was converted in 1968 at Calvary Baptist Mission at Over River, Orange, Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was the organizer of the North Pearl Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville, and has served as its pastor from 1987-1996. He served as Regional Director for African-American Ministries in the Florida Baptist Convention (1995-1997), and as National and Regional Missionary for the North American Mission (1998-2003). He and his wife, Lorraine C. Smith, married June 24, 1987 and they have three children.

KENNETH SMITH

Smith,Kenneth

Kenneth Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, South Miami (1978-1980) and Fellowship Baptist Church in Tallahassee. He served as first vice president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1981.

L. N. SMITH

L. N. Smith led in a revival meeting in Brewster in 1927 and thirty people were baptized and twenty joined by letter. Many of the men saved were middle aged railroad men. The church at that time was without a pastor and they called Smith and he became pastor of the Brewster Church. Smith also served as pastor of Ferndale Baptist Church, Apopka, 1928; First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs, 1931-1945; Belmont Heights Baptist Church, Tampa; Branchton Baptist Church, Tampa and East Lake Baptist Church, Tampa.

LINN SMITH

Linn Smith served as pastor of Shockley Springs Baptist Church, Baker.

MARK SMITH

Mark Smith served as pastor of Venetia Terrace Baptist Church, Jacksonville. He and his wife Kay had two children.

OSCAR LEE SMITH

Oscar Lee Smith (1918-1971) was a native of Davidson County, North Carolina. He graduated from Baylor University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith served as pastor of Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Plant City, 1953, McIntosh Baptist Church, Orlando and Buchanan Baptist Church, Tampa. He and his wife, Mary S. Smith had two sons.

P. SMITH

P. Smith served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Vernon.

R. A. SMITH

R. A. Smith served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1919.

RAY SMITH

Ray Smith attended Mercer University, GA. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston.

ROBERT SMITH

Robert Smith served as pastor of Buffalo Avenue Baptist Church (now Hillsdale), Tampa.

SAMUEL SMITH

Samuel Smith went as pastor of Tamiami Baptist Church in 2003. He had previously served churches in Kentucky.

SELWYN SMITH

Selwyn Smith served as pastor of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, St. Petersburg and in 1935, he became pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater.

SID SMITH

Smith,Sid

Sid Smith (October 21, 1943-April 8, 2009) served as the director, African American Ministries Division, Florida Baptist Convention from 1994 to 2005. Smith attended the University of Corpus Christi (B.A., 1965), and the California Graduate School of Theology (Ph.D., 1973). He served as a professor at American Baptist College (1991-1994), and was president of the Black Church Consultants of America (1990-1994). Smith was manager of the Black Church Development Section of the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board from 1987-1990. He worked with the Home Mission Board, and served as pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Nashville (1981-1983), and Priest Lake Baptist Church in Nashville (1987-1990). He was a prolific author of books and articles. He served as guest speaker and visiting lecturer at numerous colleges, universities, conferences, and seminaries. Smith married Arnette E. Smith, and she served as the assistant principal at Lake Lucinda Elementary School in Jacksonville. They had one child, Sid Smith III.

T. E. SMITH

T. E. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Groveland.

TERRY SMITH

Terry Smith served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1977-1981.

THEODORE SMITH

Theodore Smith served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

TRAVIS D. SMITH

Travis D. Smith (1956-) was born in Lancaster, SC. In 1985 he served Hillsdale Baptist Church, (formerly Buffalo Avenue) Tampa as the Youth Pastor and served in that ministry until 1995 when he became pastor of the church after the sudden death of Dr. Alan J. Bradshaw (former Pastor). He married Sheilah Ipock and they have three children.

TRUETT SMITH

Truett Smith graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopchoppy, 1954; White City Baptist Church, Fort Pierce (now Sunrise Baptist Church), 1954-1959; Clearlake Baptist Chapel, Cocoa, 1960; First Baptist Church, Seffner, 1963; Gladeview Baptist Chapel, 1965 -1974; Bardmoor Baptist Chapel, 1976; and First Baptist Church, Miami Beach 1983-1985. Smith and his wife, Sarah had two children.

VIRGIL T. SMITH

Virgil T. Smith served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sopcoppy and First Baptist Church, Chiefland.

WALLACE R. SMITH

Wallace R. Smith began serving as pastor of Ojus Baptist Church in 1940.

WILLARD SMITH

Willard Smith served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka.

WILLIAM E. SMITH

William E. Smith served as pastor of Beach Chapel, Port St. Joe.

WILLIAM L. SMITH

William Smith served as pastor of Plymouth Baptist Church, Mt. Dora, 1959-1963. He and his wife, Carolyn Smith, served as missionaries in South America. The Smith’s had four children.

WILLIAM R. SMITH

Smith,William-R.

William R. Smith graduated from East Tennessee State University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. He served as pastor of Morningside Church in Savannah, Georgia and Chamberlayne Church, Richmond (1970-1980) before becoming pastor of Terry Parker Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 1980.

WILLIAMS SMITH

Williams Smith served as pastor of Stump Springs Baptist Church, 1965-1967.

WILSON SMITH

Wilson Smith retired as pastor of First Baptist Church Wildwood in 1999. He also served as pastor of Belle Shoals in Branden. Smith and his wife, Sue, have four children.

W. H. SMITTY

W. H. Smitty served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Marco Island.

CLIFFORD JAMES SMYLY

Clifford James Smyly (1910-1988) served 58 years as a pastor in Texas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Florida. He was the state training union secretary in Florida from 1960 to 1966. He and his wife, Mattie Rawls Smyly, had one daughter, Martha, and one son, Clifford, Jr.

J. P. SMYTH

J. P. Smyth served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

JACK A. SNELL

Snell-Jack

Jack A. Snell (1940-2007) was born in Graceville, Florida. He graduated from Samford University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Central Church in Newman, Georgia (1972-1980) before going as pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church (1980-2000) in Jacksonville. The last seven years of his life Snell served on the CBF Global Missions staff. Snell and his wife, Anita Funderburke had two children: Charles and Stephanie.

JIMMY SNELL

Jimmy Snell served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1976-1977.

W. N. SNIPES

W. N. Snipes served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Cottondale.

C. E. SNOW

C. E. Snow served as pastor of Seminole Heights Baptist Church, Tampa.

RANSOM GRADY SNOWDEN, SR.

Snowden,Grady

Ransom Grady Snowden, Sr. (September 26, 1904- ) was born in Mississippi. His father was William Gray Snowden (1880-1972) and his mother was Vesta Julie Trussell Snowden (1881-1974). Snowden married Jessie Marie Lee. They had three children; Patricia born in 1932, Ransom Jr., born in 1934, and Robert born in 1944. Snowden came to Florida in 1925. He graduated from Stetson University in 1929. He was ordained by Blake Memorial Church at Lake Helen, but his ordination took place in a brush arbor in Pierson. Snowden was pastor of Osteen and Flagler Beach churches at the same time. In 1932 he graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He then became pastor in Hopewell, Virginia for 9 years, First Baptist Church in Deland from 1941 to 1952, Arlington Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 13 years. He retired in 1965. Upon retirement, Snowden served in about 20 interim positions, and spent 18 months as pastor of Necker Valley Baptist Church in Stuttgart, West Germany. At age 94, he served as a deacon and as a teacher of an adult class at Blake Memorial Baptist Church.

E. Y. SOILEAU

E. Y. Soileau and his wife are natives of Evan Celine Parish, Louisiana He attended Acadia Baptist Academy, Louisiana .and Mississippi College. Soileau served as a missionary to the French in Louisiana while taking his college studies. He served as pastor of Warrington Baptist Church, Pensacola. Soileau also pastored churches in Louisiana, and Mississippi.

DAVID SOLOMON

David Solomon (-2016) served in the U. S. Naval Services during the Korean conflict. Solomon served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, Orange City Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Cerro Gordo, NC; and finally, Immanuel Baptist Church, Tallahassee, where he retired after 21 years of service. In his retirement he continued his service as the Director of Missions for the Taylor County Baptist Association (FL) until 2014. He and his wife Kaye had three children.

EDWARD DAVIS SOLOMON

Edward Davis Solomon (December 16, 1875-September 13, 1957) was born in Coldwater, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi College (A.B., 1898), and did further studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1898-1900). He was awarded the Doctorate of Divinity degree by Stetson University in 1943. Solomon married Josie Crawford on November 12, 1907. They had three sones; Edward C., William, and Crawford. He was ordained in 1898, and served as pastor at First Baptist Church in Kaufman, Texas; First Baptist Church in McComb, Mississippi; Main Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Fifteenth Avenue in Meridian, Mississippi; and St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. Solomon served as corresponding secretary of the Louisiana Baptist Convention from 1924 to 1930. He is best known among Florida Baptists as the editor of the Florida Baptist Witness from 1931 to 1949. Solomon served as chaplain in the Spanish American War and World War I. He was a member of the committee that drew up the Cooperative Program in 1925.

JAMES KENNETH SOLOMON

James Kenneth Solomon (May 5, 1928- ) was born in Winter Garden, Florida. He was the son of James Wilson Solomon and Euna Mae Jacobs Solomon. He had one brother, David Thomas Solomon who also served as a Southern Baptist minister, and one sister, Euna Marie Benton. Solomon was converted at age 13, and baptized into the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, Florida, in April 1941. He was licensed to preach on April 10, 1946, and ordained on May 4, 1952, at First Baptist Church in Winter Garden. Solomon married Helen Louise Davidson on July 30, 1950, at Panama City, Florida. They had one daughter, Janet Louise, born November 11, 1954. Solomon served as a chaplain in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1955, and as pastor of First Baptist Church in Bristol, Florida from 1955 to 1956. He then became pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida. He served as associational missionary until his retirement.

ROBERT N. SOLOMON

Solomon,Robert-N.

Robert N. Solomon was born May 22, 1929 in Asheville, North Carolina, the son of Rufus Calvin and Ruth Neely Solomon. He graduated from Wake Forest (1952, B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1956, B.D.). He served as pastor of Wesconnett Boulevard (1965-1971) in Jacksonville and of Oak-Griner Church in Ocala (1971-1980), then went as pastor of Bee Ridge Church in Sarasota in 1980 where he served for 25 years. He served 12 years as a member of the Florida State Board of Missions and serves currently as chairman of the Association Missions Committee of the Southwest Florida Baptist Association. He taught Old Testament at Luther Rice Seminary. He and his wife, Connie, have two sons.

GUILLERMO R. SORIANO

Guillermo R. Soriano (1954- ) was born in Honduras, C. A. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Soriano served as director, Language Church Development for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Maritza Irazema Soriano have two children.

DANNY SOUDER

Souder,Danny

Danny Souder graduated from Texas Christian University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Kings Avenue Church, Brandon (1977-1980), and went as pastor of Northwest Church in Gainesville in 1980.

JAMES DAVID SOUTHERLAND

James David Southerland is a native of Orlando, Florida. He has served as pastor in Mississipi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. He is married to Mary Lynn Perkins. They served with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board in Europe. He currently serves as Director of Missions in the Florida Association. He is the son of Dr. James E. and Mabel Southerland.

JAMES E. SOUTHERLAND

James E. Southerland (August 31, 1915-April 29, 2002) was born and raised in Wauchula, Florida. He was the son of Fred and Clara Louise Warlick Southerland. His father was an accountant, and his mother was a housewife. He had one brother, Frederick, and one sister, Ethelind. Southerland was converted at age ten, and baptized into the membership of First Baptist Church in Wauchula in 1925. He was ordained at Wauchula in 1938. He married Mabel Arthur of Orlando, and they had three children (David, Carol Ann and Becky) and seven grandchildren. Southerland attended Stetson University (B.A.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.D.). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Titusville; Avondale Baptist Church in Jacksonville, First Baptist Church, Oxford, Mississippi, and Heritage Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama. Southerland was a chaplain in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. He served as registrar at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and interim and supply pastor in many churches. Southerland served as President of Baptist Bible Institute for 20 years (1957-1977) and held the title of President Emeritus at the time of his death in 2002.

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

The Southern Baptist Convention was organized in 1845 in Augusta, Georgia. There are now 15.9 million members in 41,500 churches in the United States. Southern Baptists support over 5,000 home missionaries in the United States, and over 5,000 foreign missionaries serving in 153 countries of the world. There are 41 state conventions and fellowships in the United States. Florida is one of these state conventions. There are 1,200 local associations (many follow county lines) in the United States that choose to cooperate in evangelism, missions, education, ministry, and fellowship. You become a Southern Baptist by joining or uniting with a local Southern Baptist church. Church membership is gained in most Southern Baptist churches through announcing that Jesus Christ is your saviour and being baptized by immersion.

DAN SOWELL

Dan Sowell is a graduate of Houston Baptist University, Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a church planter working with Pulaski Baptist Association and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Sowell was appointed by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as a missionary to Zambia in 1993-2000. Sowell began serving as pastor of East Hill Baptist Church, Tallahassee in 2003. He and his wife Donna have seven children.

W. G. SPAGHN

W. G. Spaghn served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Malone (1947-1948).

JENNIE LUCENA SPALDING

Spalding,Jenny

Jennie Lucena Spalding (c. 1861-1931) was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She moved with her mother to Deland to escape the cold winters. She was a close friend of Lucina Telford, and when Telford died while serving as the head of the Florida Baptist Women s work, Spalding was chosen to replace her. Spalding served as the first corresponding secretary and treasurer of the Woman’s Missionary Union (1894-1911). She started with no salary and was receiving $500 a year when she resigned seventeen years later. When Spalding left in 1911 she moved to Missouri and attended medical school. She graduated and set up a medical practice in Kirksville, Missouri. She moved to Ashville, North Carolina after her mother’s death in 1915 and she died in Ashville on October 17, 1931.

OTTO SPANGLER

Otto Spangler (1936-2013) was born in Tennessee. He graduated from Carson-Newman college (1958) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (B. D., 1962; M. Div., 1969; D. Min., 1990). Spangler served as pastor in Kentucky and was Baptist Campus Minister at Western Kentucky from 1967-1971. He served as BCM director at the University of Florida from 1972-1999. He and his wife Harriet Ann Caldwell Spangler, had four children; Otto, Mary, Victor and Ronnie.

T. J. SPARKMAN

T. J. Sparkman (1842-1916) served as a private in the Confederate Army. In 1880 Sparkman organized the first Sunday School of Hopewell Baptist Church, Plant City. He was the founder of First Baptist Church, Brandon, 1889 and served as pastor of Nocatee Baptist Church, 1890-1893, First Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1898-1899, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1900, Spring Head Baptist Church, Plant City 1906-07, First Baptist Church, Sarasota, First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda and other churches in the Peace River Association.

W. CAREY SPARKMAN

W. Carey Sparkman attended Mercer University, GA. He served as pastor of the Manatee Church. In 1927 he had been preaching ten years, preached 1,423 sermons, conducted 59 funerals, 54 weddings, and baptized 499 people. He went to Manatee as pastor in 1922. In 1939 Sparkman served as pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale.

STEPHEN EDGAR SPARKS

Stephen Edgar Sparks (1894-1966) was born in Ellijay, GA to Allan and Cordelia Maines Sparks. He served as pastor of East Palatka First Baptist Church.

RAYMOND G. SPEARS

Raymond G. Spears (1932-2020) was born in Clio, Alabama, the son of Howard and Thelma Carter Spears. He graduated from Florida State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Spears served as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Miami and Carol City Baptist Church, Miami. He and his wife, Betty Spears had two sons.

W. L. SPEARS

W. L. Spears served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Okahumpka and First Baptist Church, Cottondale.

GENE SPEIGHT

Gene Speight (1942-) graduated from Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Florida (1974), Mississippi College (1976, MS), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1980, MRE). He served as pastor in Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. Speight was pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1973. He was a Navy veteran and married Allene and they had one son, Thomas.

JOE SPEIGHT

Joe Speight (1916-2004) a native of Cottondale, AL. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp., serving during World War II. Speight served as pastor of Alturas Baptist Church, Winston Baptist Church, Green Pond Baptist Church, Union Hill Baptist Church, 1960 and First Baptist Church, Okahumpka. He and his wife Grace B. Speight had two daughters.

THURMAN R. SPELL

Thurman R. Spell (1910-1950) died on May 29, 1950, in Staunton, Virginia, where he was serving as pastor of the Laurel Hill Baptist Church. He was a native of Autryville, and a graduate of Wake Forest College. He served as pastor in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. In Florida, he served as pastor at Callahan, Mt. Olive, Ephesus, and Earlington Heights.

H. C. SPELLER

H. C. Speller served as pastor in of First Baptist Church, DeLand.

INGRAM SPENCE

Ingram Spence (1840-1910) was born in Alabama. He was ordained in 1872 and pastored New Hope Baptist Church, Macedonia Baptist Church, Milton Baptist Church and Springhill Baptist Church. Spence married Sarah F. Mason in 1866 and they had ten children.

DAVID W. SPENCER

David W. Spencer was born in Senatobia, MS. He has served as pastor in North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Spencer served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Milton, for 20 years.

MICHAEL C. SPENCER

Michael C. Spencer was born in Richmond, Indiana. He graduated from Southwest Bible College and Seminary. Spencer served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Flagler County. He and his wife Bobbie Rosenberg Spencer have two daughters.

RICHARD C. SPENCER, JR.

Richard C. Spencer, Jr. (1954-) was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Spencer graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Spencer served as pastor of East Hill Baptist Church, Pensacola. He and his wife Kay have one son; Stephen.

DAVID H. SPERRING

Sperring,David-H.

David H. Sperring died January 1975. He was a native of Live Oak, and a graduate of Stetson University and Southwestern Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sebring. Sperring was a retired military chaplain.

T. N. SPICER

Spicer served as pastor of Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, 1900-1901.

T. W. SPICER

T. W. Spicer served as pastor of Frist Baptist Church, Altoona.

DWIGHT C. SPILLMAN

Dwight C. Spillman (1914-1998) was born in Richmond, Indiana, the son of David Henry and Margaret Ashby Spillman. He served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula, 1951-54 and Olga Baptist Church, Fort Myers, 1961-1964. Spillman and his wife Thelma Russell Spillman had two children.

JAMES IRVIN SPIVEY

James Irvin Spivey, born June 17, 1837, in Georgia, served in Company E, 26th Infantry Regiment, Gordon’s Brigade, CSA. By January 1, 1875, he had settled in Zephyrhills, present-day Pasco County, Florida. He preached to a small church at Oakdale (became First Baptist, Zephyrhills). Other Pasco pastorates included Double Branch, Pleasant Hill, Withlacoochee, Emmaus, Six Mile Pond, and Anclote. He was chairman of the Pasco County Commission from 1909 to 1910. He died June 23, 1911, and was buried at Magdalene Cemetery in Hillsborough County.

MARVIN SPIVEY

Marvin Spivey served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Eustis, 1964, Wekiwa Springs Baptist Church, Apopka, 1966-1968 and Webster Memorial Baptist Church, Lakeland.

GLEN SPOTTS

Glen Spotts served as pastor of First Baptist Church Elfers and, Jasper.

RALPH LEN SPOTTS

Ralph Len Spotts served as pastor of Yulee Baptist Church.

THOMAS H. SPRAGUE

Thomas H. Sprague died on March 20, 1949. He was born in Nova Scotia, and graduated from Bucknell University (Ph.B.) and Crozer Theological Seminary. Stetson University conferred a Doctor of Divinity on him in 1912. Bucknell also gave him an honorary degree. Sprague served as pastor in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. He organized First Baptist Church in Hollywood, Florida, and served as pastor. He served as an American Baptist Home missionary to Cuba and the West Indies. Sprague married Jessie Barton Lovell from Pennsylvania. He was a prolific writer and a well known speaker.

J. M. SPRINGFIELD

J. M. Springfield served as pastor of churches in Bowling Green, Avon Park and Cocoa. He served as associational missionary for the Indian River Baptist Association in 1914.

JAMES SPRINGFIELD

James Springfield (1934-2004) was a native of Texas and served as a trustee at Baylor University, Baylor Medical School, and University Community Hospital in Tampa. Springfield was pastor of New Tampa Baptist Church (1995-2004) at the time of his death. He served for 55 years in churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. He was an artist and left an extensive collection of drawings, paintings, and sculptures. Springfield and his wife, Ruth, had three children; a son, Wes, and daughters, Jamie and Sherri.

CHARLES SPROULE

Charles Sproule served as pastor of the Baptist Chapel-by-the-Sea.

DANA SPURGEON

Dana Spurgeon graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He served as pastor in Indiana and became pastor of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church in Arcadia in 2014. He and his wife Debbie have two sons.

J. T. SQUYRES

J. T. Squyres (1916-1999) was born in Coleman County, Texas, the son of Samuel Sylvester and Erma Bledsoe Squyres. He served as pastor of churches in Clewiston, Melrose and Ponce de Leon. Squyres also pastored State Highway Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Wildwood, 1957.

JOHN STACEY

John Stacey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt.

R. WAYNE STACY

Stacy,Wayne

R. Wayne Stacy served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Austin, Indiana, before going to North Stuart Baptist Church as pastor in 1980. Stacy graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College (1974) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). He had previously served at Crossroads, and Central Baptist churches in West Palm Beach; Chosen Church in Belle Glade; and First Baptist Church, South Bay. He served as dean and professor of New Testament and Preaching at the School of Divinity of Gardner-Webb University. In 2004 he went as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Jacksonville. He and his wife, Cheryl, have one son.

JEFFERY D. STADING

Jeffery D. Stading (1978-) attended the Baptist College of Florida and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was licensed and ordained to preach by West Broad Street Baptist Church in Tampa. Stading served as pastor of West Broad Street Baptist Church, Tampa and Salem Baptist Church, Tampa. He went as pastor to Bayless Highway Baptist Church, Starke in 2006. Stading married Adeena Tidwell in 1998. They have two daughters Hannah and Naomi.

STACY STAFFORD

Stacy Stafford (1971-) was ordained by Hickory Hill Baptist Church. Stafford graduated from the Baptist College of Florida in 2004. He has served at churches in Georgia and Florida. Stafford served at Leonia Baptist Church, Westville from 1998-2006. Stafford married his wife Ann in 1995. They have two children Seth and Lacy.

ARTHUR HOUSE STAINBACK

Arthur House Stainback (1909-1994) was born in Weldon, North Carolina, the eldest of six children born to Peter N. Stainback and Susanne Ethel Doran. Stainback was saved at age nine and answered the call to preach as a teenager. He was educated at the Hartford Theological Seminary (B.R.E.) and New York University (M.A.). He received an honorary doctorate from Emmanuel Baptist College in Atlanta, Georgia. Steinback served as pastor in North Carolina before becoming president of Baptist Bible Institute on September 16, 1952. He served through June 25, 1957, when the college came under the ownership of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Stainback served as pastor of Little River Baptist Church, Miami and as interim pastor of First Baptist Church Sweetwater, Apopka. He and his wife, Phyllis Kellogg Stainback (1911-1983) were married in 1931. Stainback and his wife, Jean Frances Leroy Stainback (193-2010) were married in 1940 and they had one son.

GEORGE R. STAIR

George R. Stair served as pastor of First Baptist Church Lakeland from 1935-1937 and Main St. Baptist Church, Leesburg.

C. BRUCE STALLINGS

C. Bruce Stallings graduated from the University of Tennessee and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Leesburg, 1949-1951, First Baptist Church, Greenacres1952-1953, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Fort Meade, First Baptist Church, Raiford and Lake Avenue Baptist Church, West Palm Beach.

J. EARL STALLINGS

J. Earl Stallings (1916-2006) was born in Durham, NC the son of Walter and Mattie Bagwell Stallings. He graduated from Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, TN and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX. Stallings served as pastor in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Ocala. While pastor at Ocala Stallings served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention, 1957. He and his wife Ruth Langston McMahan Stallings had one son.

TOM STALLWORTH

Tom Stallworth served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Blountstown.

EDWARD I. STALNECKER

Edward I. Stalnecker (1932-2007) served as pastor and evangelist in the Southern Baptist Convention for over 30 years. He was a native of Winter Haven and a graduate of Louisiana State University and Luther Rice Seminary.

HENRY W. STAMEY

Henry W. Stamey served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville and Peace Creek Baptist Church, Bartow.

JOHN STAMPS

John Stamps served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

SAMUEL THOMAS STANALAND

Samuel Thomas Stanaland (1806-1892) was ordained on November 12, 1848, at the request of New Hope Church of Alachua. Interestingly enough his last name appears in Baptist minutes as Stanaland, Stanland, and Standland. Stanaland served as pastor of Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, 1867. In 1873 Stanland was pastor of Lake Bryant and Pleasant Plain in the Marion County area. [also spelled Stanland, Stanley, Strandland]

A. A. STANLEY

A. A. Stanley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1916-1917, First Baptist Church, Mt. Dora, and Astatula Baptist Church, 1944-1946.

CHARLES E. STANLEY

Stanley,Charles

Charles E. Stanley (September 25, 1932- ) was born in Danville, Virginia, to Charles and Rebecca Stanley. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1954 from the University of Richmond and then went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (B.D., 1957). In 1955 he married his longtime sweetheart, Anna. He served as pastor of Fruitland Baptist Church in North Carolina for two years, and First Baptist Church in Fairborn, Ohio (1959-1962) before going to Florida to serve in the First Baptist Church in Miami (1962-1968), and First Baptist Church of Bartow, Florida (1968-1969). In 1969 he went to First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he has served for over thirty years. He and his wife have two children, Andy and Becky.

EWARD STANLEY

Edward Stanley graduated from the Louisville Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Palatka.

MICHAEL I. STANLEY

Michael I. Stanley became bi-vocational pastor of First Baptist Church Welaka in 2008. Stanley is owner of Stan and Sons Marine Construction and he and his wife Mona have two children.

R. M. STANLEY

R. M. Stanley served as pastor of Forest Grove Baptist Church, Alachua, 1931-1932; First Baptist Church, Port Tampa; Hardeetown Baptist Church, and Macfarlane Park Baptist Church, Tampa.

PAUL STANSEL

Paul Stansel served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

WILLIAM EDWIN STANTON

William Edwin Stanton (1839-1909) was born in Preston, Connecticut. He graduated from Colgate University (B. A., 1862 and M. A., 1865) and was ordained by First Baptist Church, Lowell, Mass. in 1865. He graduated from Hamilton Theological Seminary and was pastor of the Lowell church five years. He came to Florida in about 1870 and served as a missionary for 25 years. He was pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka, 1885-1890, Lemon City and Miami. He and his wife Sarah Caroline Kinney Stanton had one daughter and a son William Arthur Stanton who served as a missionary to India.

WILMER R. STANTON

Wilmer R. Stanton (1923-2004) was the son of Robert L. and Maggie R. Stanton. He served as pastor of Valley Grove Baptist Church, 1989-2000. He and his wife, Maggie Jo Stanton had three children.

I. D. STARKEY

I. D. Starkey served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church.

ROBERT STAVER

Robert Staver (1938-2008) was the son of Robert L. and Mary Staver. He served as pastor of Grapeland Heights Baptist Church, Miami. Staver and his wife, Patricia A. Murphy Staver had three sons.

MARVIN V. STEDHAM

Marvin V. Stedham (January 8, 1898-December 5, 1973) was born in Morgan County, Alabama. He preached his first sermon in Cullman County, Alabama, in 1917, at age 19. He served churches in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In 1954, Stedham became a field secretary for the Florida Baptist Convention, and served with 117 churches and 55 missions in eight counties. Under his leadership 75 missions were begun. He and his wife, Mettie Loyce Riddle Stedham had one daughter, Evelyn, and one son, Ray.

A. R. STEELE

A. R. Steele served as pastor of Pine Barron Baptist Church, Davisville.

HARWOOD STEELE

Harwood Steele (1920-1993) served as pastor of churches in West Virginia and Florida, including Friendship Baptist Church, Altamonte Springs. He graduated from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida where he also served as professor and dean. He and his wife, Ann Duda Steele, had two daughters, Mary and Ruthanne.

THOMAS STEELE

Thomas Steele (1926-1995) served as pastor of Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Plant City.

FRED STEELMAN

Fred Steelman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Niceville.

EDGAR STEPHEN

Edgar Stephen served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Delray Beach.

ALTON STEPHENS

Alton Stephens (1921-2010) was born in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, the son of William Roland and Nettie Gertrude Stephens. He attended Stetson University, DeLand. Stephens served as pastor in Georgia and Florida, including Calvary Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1954. He and his wife Martha Faye Watson Stephens had four children.

BILLY STEPHENS

Billy Stephens was born in Gainesville. He served in the United States Navy and earned his M.A. degree from Liberty Theological Seminary. Stephens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Groveland and then Ocilla Baptist Church, Ocilla, GA. He and his wife Dede have four sons.

BUNYAN STEPHENS

Bunyan Stephens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando (1919-1929).

D. L. STEPHENS

D. L. Stephens served as pastor of Masaryktown Baptist Church.

HAROLD STEPHENS

Harold Stephens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, South Miami.

MARK D. STEPHENS

Mark D. Stephens (1966-2007) was born in Tampa, Florida. He received his music degree from the University of Florida (B. Mu.) in 1989.He received his M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in 1977, and his D. Min. degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003. Stephens served as a pastor of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Lakeland (1997-2001) and Lockhart Baptist Church in Orlando (2001-2002). He also served churches in Arkansas and Tennessee. Stephens was director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Theological Education and Distance Learning Department from 2002 until his sudden death of a heart attack March 4, 2007. He and his wife, Natalie, have three daughters; Rachel, Sarah, and Hannah.

JAMES FREDRICK STEPHENS

James Fredrick Stephens (1917-2003) was born in Tampa, Florida, the son of James Edward and Nina Lee Drew Stephens. He graduated from Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. Stephens served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills, 1955-1960, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Bascom, Eastside Baptist Church, LaBelle, and Concordia Baptist Church, Havana. He and his wife, Avis Sumner Stephens had three children.

L. GLENN STEPHENS

L. Glenn Stephens served as pastor of Pine Island Baptist Church, 1957 and Central Avenue Chapel (now Central Baptist Church), Fort Myers, 1959-1962.

JAMES G. STERTZ

James G. Stertz served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sarasota, and resigned in 1980 to go as pastor of First Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.

DON STEVEN

Don Steven served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

EDGAR G. STEVEN

Edgar G. Steven served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hastings.

ALTON STEVENS

Alton Stevens served as pastor of River Road Baptist Church, 1956-1957 and Florahome Baptist Church, 1963. He and his wife Martha had two sons.

BRIAN STEVENS

Brian Stevens served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Milton.

E. T. STEVENS

E. T. Stevens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, DeLand.

GEORGE J. STEVENS

George J. Stevens (1922-2008) was born in Trenton, Florida, the son of Alex and Pauline Stevens. He graduated from Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham. Stevens was ordained in 1953 by First Baptist Church, Orlando. He served as pastor of churches in Alabama and Florida, including, Jonesville Baptist Church, Newberry. Stevens and his wife, Laurie LeHeup Stevens, had two sons.

HOWARD BARNEY STEVENS

Howard Barney Stevens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Citra.

M. S. STEVENS

M. S. Stevens served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wauchula.

DWIGHT IKE STEVERSON

Dwight Ike Steverson (1945-) served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Westville, 1970-1973 Steverson has served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Bonifay since 1977. He and his wife Carole have seven children.

THOMAS STEWARD

Thomas Steward served as pastor of Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, 1992-1994.

C. E. STEWART

C. E. Stewart graduated from South Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. He served as pastor of churches in Escambia County including Oak Grove Baptist Church.

C. O. STEWART

C. O. Stewart graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill, Central Baptist Church, Highland Baptist Church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County, Seventh Avenue Baptist Church, Pensacola, Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, 1934-1939, and Walnut Hill Baptist Church.

C. T. STEWART

C. T. Stewart served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Grand Ridge, 1912, 1919 and 1941.

CHARLES L. STEWART

Charles L. Stewart served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Macclenny, 1920-1921.

D. L. STEWART

D. L. Stewart served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tavares.

GARLAND STEWART

Garland Stewart served as pastor of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Bogia in 1974.

H. M. STEWART

H. M. Stewart served as pastor of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Bogia, 1958-1962, Mobile Highway Baptist Church, West Highland Baptist Church, Pensacola and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pensacola.

JACK STEWART

Jack Stewart served as pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, Ft. Pierce, 1950-1951, First Baptist Church, Geneva, Florida, 1956-1963, First Baptist Church, Center Hill, and Hardeetown Baptist Church

JOHN STEWART

John Stewart served as pastor of Grassy Point Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Southport), Hickory Level Baptist Church, Marianna, Magnolia Baptist Church, Altha, 1888-1895 and Clarksville Baptist Church, Calhoun County, 1905-1906.

L. G. STEWART

L. G. Stewart served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt and Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

R. J. STEWART

R. J. Stewart served as pastor of Dry Prairie Baptist Church, Bowling Green, 1976-1977.

SAM STEWART

Sam Stewart served as pastor of Buford Grove Baptist Church, Callahan, Pierson Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church, Geneva, Florida, 1953-1954.

Source:
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.

WILLIAM PAYNE STEWART

Payne Stewart

William Payne Stewart (1957-1999) was a professional golfer and won 18 tournaments in his lifetime. He won the U.S. Open twice. He and five others died in a tragic private plane crash on October 25, 1999. He touched many in life and death through his humor and faith. Over 3,000 people attended his funeral service at First Baptist Church in Orlando. Golf greats Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Paul Azinger, and over 100 famous co-workers were present for the service. J. B. Collingsworth and Jim Henry were quoted by many sources as they spoke of the faith of Payne Stewart. He was survived by his wife Tracey Ferguson Stewart, daughter Chelsea, son Aaron, and mother Bee. Video

DELMAR STIGER

Delmar Stiger served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

JEFF STILES

Jeff Stiles served as pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, Ft. Pierce and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Palatka, 1958-1960.

RANDY STINSON

Randy Stinson is a native of Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.) In 2006 Stinson became the dean of the School of Leadership and Church Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary .

ORRIN W. STITES

Stites,Orrin-W.

Orrin W. Stites (1910-1973) was born in Park City, Tennessee, the son of Orin Wellington and Lizetta Lawrence Stites. He died on September 25, 1973, while serving as pastor of Mayfair Baptist Church in Jacksonville. Stites graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and was very active in Kentucky Baptist work before moving to Florida in 1961. Stites worked as field secretary of the Florida Baptist Convention, 1961-1970 before becoming pastor at Mayfair. He was married to Elsie M. Stites

M. C. STITH

M. C. Stith was pastor of Orange Glade Baptist Church in 1930.

DAVID A. STOKES

David A. Stokes (1931-1997) was born in Sarasota, the son of Albert and Esther Stokes. He attended Stetson University, Baptist Bible Institute, and Norman Junior College. He was ordained by Friendship Baptist Church in Sarasota in 1953, and served Wilma Baptist Church in Bristol. He served Reedy Creek Baptist Church of Moultrie, Georgia, from 1981 to 1997.

EDGAR EUGENE STOKES

Stokes,Eugene

Edgar Eugene Stokes (August 18, 1940- ) grew up on the family farm near Lee, Florida. He is the son of Edgar and Susie Mae Driggers Stokes who also had three other children; Pauline, Carolyne, and Robert. Stokes graduated from North Florida Junior College (A.A., 1960), Florida State University (B.S., 1962), and the University of Florida (M.Ed., 1967). He was saved at age 11 during spring revival services at Beulah Baptist Church near Lee. Stokes served as a public educator and was a Gideon speaker for 13 years. He was called to preach on January 6, 1985, and served as pastor of Pleasant Grove, Eridu, Florida (1985-1989), and New Home Baptist Church of Madison, Florida (1989-2002). Stokes married Elizabeth Geraldine Holley on June 15, 1963, and they have three daughters, Sheri, Gena, and Tania. He has served as Director of Missions of the Middle Florida Baptist Association since 2002.

JERRY STOKES

Jerry Stokes served as pastor of Green Pond Baptist Church, Polk City.

JACK STOLTE

Jack Stolte served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

NATHAN R. STONE

Nathan R. Stone (1874-1956) graduated from the Mississippi Baptist University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville. He served as pastor of churches in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, including Whitfield Memorial Baptist Church, Pensacola and Jackson Heights Baptist Church, Tampa, 1931-1932.

RALPH W. STONE

Ralph W. Stone served as pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church (1975-1980) before going as pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

W. S. STONE

W. S. Stone served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Winter Park, 1916.

WILLIAM STONES

William Stones was pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka, 1904-1906, Oak Hill, La Grange, Titusville and Indianola in 1906, First Baptist Church, Eau Gallie, 1910-1911, First Baptist Church, Geneva, Florida, 1913 and First Baptist Church, Oviedo, 1913-1918.

CARL E. STOREY

Carl E. Storey graduated from Stetson University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bushnell; First Baptist Church, Delray Beach; First Baptist Church, Deerfield Beach; and Webster Memorial Baptist Church, Lakeland and churches in Fort Meade, and Apopka

PHILIP STOUGH

Philip Stough served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

ARTHUR STOVALL

Arthur Stovall served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven from 1939 to 1947.

W. G. STRACENER

Stracener,W.G.

W. G. Stracener was born on December 8, 1905, and was a native of Louisiana. He attended Louisiana State University, and served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Madison (1934-1938), Riverside Baptist Church in Miami (1938-1944), East Hill Baptist Church in Pensacola (1944-1949), and also served as editor of the Florida Baptist Witness (1949-1970). He received an honorary doctorate from Stetson University in 1950. Stracener was ordained by First Baptist Church, Thomasville, Georgia, in 1932. He preached the annual sermon at the Florida Baptist Convention in 1943 using Matthew 17:20 as his text. In 1971, Stracener served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

RAY S. STRAHAN

Ray S. Strahan was pastor of Seaboard Park, Fulford in 1927.

EDWARD M. STRANER

Edward M. Straner (1923-2004) was born in Largo, FL. Straner served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He served two years as a U. S. Air Force chaplain in Alabama and Korea. He graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Seminary. Straner served as pastor of West Gate Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, River Road Baptist Church, Palatka, and First Baptist Church, East Palatka. Straner served as an officer of the Florida Baptist Historical Society and wrote A History of the St. Johns River Baptist Association. He and his wife, Julie, were married 53 years and had two daughters; Karen and Kathy.

JOHN ROACH STRATON

John Roach Straton (1875-1929) born in Evansville, Indiana, the son of the Reverend Henry Dundas Douglas Straton and the former Julia Rebecca Carter of Virginia. He became a Christian when he was a teenager and heard the revival preaching of James Hawthorne. Straton was ordained in 1900 and spent most of his adult life as pastor of several churches in four major cities: Chicago (1905–1908), Baltimore (1908–1913), Norfolk, Virginia (1914-1917), and most notably of the Calvary Baptist Church in New York City 1918–1929. Straton graduated from Mercer University, GA and Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY. Straton served as pastor of West Palm Beach Baptist Church, Florida in 1926.

WILLIE LEE STRAWN

Willie Lee Strawn (b. 1885; d. 1946), a native of Jasper, Florida, was a bi-vocational pastor, which meant his livelihood was derived from work in sawmills and as a carpenter. One of his most notable accomplishments was his handmade wood cravings on the mantles in the former governor’s mansion in Tallahassee. At age 55, in 1940, responding to the call of God, Rev. Strawn became a circuit-riding Missionary Baptist preacher. His circuit went from Jefferson County to Walton County with many stops in the small towns with Baptist churches without a pastor. During his six years of itinerant preaching, Strawn served as the pastor of the Elizabeth Baptist Church, Monticello, between 1942 and 1944

JOHN B. STREATER

John B. Streater (1914-2003) was born in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from Wheaton College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Streater and his wife served as missionaries to China from 1947-1951. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pinellas Park. Streater and his wife, Carol Miller Lane Streater had seven children.

EUGENE STRICKLAND

Eugene Strickland served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 1971-1975.

FRANK STRICKLAND

Frank Strickland served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1910-1911).

H. H. STRICKLAND

H. H. Strickland served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Pace. He and his wife Irma Jean had three children.

J. E. STRICKLAND

J. E. Strickland served as pastor of Orange Heights Baptist Church, Alachua County.

JAMES LEVI STRICKLAND

Strickland-James-Levi

James Levi Strickland (1881-1965) was born at Kingsley Lake, the son of Abraham and Armadella Strickland pioneer settlers of Kingsley Lake. He attended Stetson University, DeLand. Strickland taugh school before entering the ministry and was a self-styled “Wilderness Preacher” who is credited with organizing and pastoring 32 rural churches in the Kingsley Lakes area and also organizing the Black Creek Baptist Association. During his 64 years of ministry he served 54 churches in 27 counties before his retirement. He organized five churches in Florida, and preached in 27 different countries. During the days of annual call he was actually pastor of Highland Baptist Church on five different occasions. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Middleburg, 1917-1918. Strickland and his wife Bessie had three daughters and one son.

JOHN STRICKLAND

John Strickland was born in Grandin, Florida. He was ordained in 1938 by both Orange Heights Church and Gadara Church of Keystone Heights. He was a part time pastor to both churches. Strickland served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1950), Hollister Baptist Church, Edgar Baptist Church, Romano Blvd Baptist Church, Ridge Blvd Baptist Church, Garden City Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Shiloh Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Railford, Lemon Heights Baptist Church and Faith Baptist Church. He and his wife Louise Bailey Strickland had five children.

JOHNNY W. STRICKLAND

Johnny W. Strickland (1924-1983) died of a heart attack after serving as pastor of Park Avenue in Winter Garden for six days. He had previously served the church from 1959 to 1973. He also served as pastor of Dixie Highway Baptist Church in Auburndale, and First Baptist Church of Rock Springs. He and his wife, Betty, had one daughter, Wanda, and one son, Robert.

LARRY STRICKLAND

Larry Strickland served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

M. STRICKLAND

M. Strickland served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, 1845, Providence Baptist Church, 1846-1847, Aeon Baptist Church, 1850 and Liberty Baptist Church, 1851.

MALACHI N. STRICKLAND

Malachi N. Strickland (May 19, 1809-March 4, 1884) was born in Marlborough County, South Carolina. He was ordained by order of the Bennettsville Church in South Carolina on November 28, 1837. Strickland studied at Furman University. He preached primarily in South and North Carolina. Strickland acted as missionary of the Welch Neck Association. He moved to Florida in 1851. In Florida, Strickland served as pastor of Paran Church, Pleasant Grove, Eliam, Peniel, and Wacahoota.

MARK STRICKLAND

In the 1846 Florida Baptist Association Minutes, M. Strickland was listed as pastor of Providence Church in Gadsden County.

MARSHALL M. STRICKLAND

Marshall M. Strickland (1874-1914) served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church, Palatka, First Baptist Church, Middleburg, Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1906), and Hollister Baptist Church. Strickland was killed in an unfortunate accident when a tree fell on him. Strickland was never married.

RAY Y. STRICKLAND

Ray Y. Strickland served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raiford.

RAYMOND STRICKLAND

Strickland,Raymond

Raymond Strickland (April 30, 1879-March 6, 1951) was born at Kingsley Lake, Florida. He married Ollie Carter in 1903 and both of them were baptized at Heilbowen Springs in Bradford County in July 1911. Strickland entered Columbia College at Lake City on November 8, 1911. He served as pastor at Wellborn, Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church, 1919; First Baptist Church, Okahumpka and at Oak-Griner Baptist Church in Ocala (1937-1938). He and his wife moved to Webster to a farm where they lived 34 years. He served as pastor of a number of churches in Lake and Sumter counties. He served as Justice of the Peace in the Webster District and served as a Florida State Representative from Sumter County.

ROBERT STRICKLAND

Robert Strickland (1936-2014) graduated from Baptist Bible Institute and served as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Dothan, Alabama (1962-1966),
Hiland Park in Panama City (1966-1987), Kinsey Baptist Church, Kinsey, Alabama and First Baptist Church, Columbia, Alabama. Strickland spent over ten years in evangelism with emphasis on the Christian home.

W. H. STRICKLAND

W. H. Strickland served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Quincy.

DAN C. STRINGER

Stringer,Dan-C.

Dan C. Stringer (November 7, 1927-October 2, 2007) was born in Cordell, Oklahoma. He was licensed to preach by First Baptist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1947, and ordained there in 1948. Stringer attended Baylor University (B.A., 1952), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1957). In 1974 he received an honorary doctorate of divinity from California Baptist College in Riverside. Stringer served as pastor of Bosque Farms Baptist Church in Los Lunas, New Mexico; Millican Baptist Church in Millican, Texas; and Steep Hollow Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Lordsburg, New Mexico; First Southern Baptist Church in Buckeye, Arizona; First Southern Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Coronado Baptist Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. Stringer served in numerous capacities with the Arizona Baptist Convention. He came to Florida from the position of Executive Director-Treasurer of the Northwest Baptist Convention. He served as Executive Director of Florida Baptists from 1979 to 1988. It is believed that Stringer is the only person to serve as chief executive of three Baptist Conventions. Stringer married Harriet Elizabeth Rogers. They had two children; Mrs. Scott Cox of Hazel Crest, Illinois, and Stephen of Huntington Beach, California.

MIKE STROUD

Mike Stroud served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Wewahitchka.

W. G. STROUP

W. G. Stroup (1905-1994) served as the church music director for the Florida Baptist Convention from 1953 to 1970. Stroup was a graduate of Wingate,
Furman, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before serving in Florida, Stroup served as music and education director for churches in
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. He and his wife, Martha, were married for 63 years. They had two sons, Frank
and William.

WILLIAM ROBERT STROUP

William Robert Stroup (1937-2007) was born in Shreveport, LA. He graduated from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Stroup served as Baptist Campus Minister, Jacksonville for the Florida Baptist Convention 1973-2002. He and his wife Reda Jean Copeland Stroup had one son.

C. T. STUART

C. T. Stuart served as pastor of Piney Grove, Baptist Church, Cottondale.

W. P. STUART

W. P. Stuart served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

R. F. STUBBS

The death of R. F. Stubbs was reported in the 1869 Florida Baptist Association Minutes.

JAY STUCKEY

Jay Stuckey retired in 2013 after 42 years in ministerial service. He was pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Jacksonville at the time of his retirement. He and his wife Terry served other churches in the Jacksonville and Daytona Beach area.

R. W. STUCKEY

R. W. Stuckey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Cottondale (1919-1921; 1923-1924) and First Baptist Church, Malone, (1921-1923).

ROBERT STUCKEY

Stuckey,Robert

Robert Stuckey graduated from Southern Illlinois University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Stuckey served churches in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Iowa, and Florida. He served 50 years in active ministry and served as executive director of the Iowa Southern Baptist Fellowship. During the last 20 years of his ministry he served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Myers Beach. He retired in 2005 after 50 years of active service. He and his wife, Suzanne, had four children.

ALBERT A. STULCK

Albert A. Stulck (1887-1976) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Dade City (1938-1942), First Baptist Church, Winter Garden (1942-1955) and First Baptist Church, Groveland.

H. H. STURGIS

H. H. Sturgis served as pastor of West Palm Beach Baptist Church in 1901 and Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville. Sturgis was a founding member of
First Baptist Church, Homestead.

R. A. SUBLETTE

R. A. Sublette (1850-) was born in Jackson County, Alabama to col. J. J. and Sara Wood Sublette. Sublette was licensed to preach in 1873 and ordained in 1879. He attended Furman College, SC and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, KY. Sublette served as missionary pastor under the State Board of Florida, establishing new congregations at Ft. Myers, Bonita, Naples, Moore Haven, Buckingham, Olga, and LaBelle. He served as pastor at Punta Gorda and Moore Haven during 1918-1919.

MICHAEL SULLIVAN

Michael Sullivan served as pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church, Altha, 1986-1992.

J. P. SULLIVAN

J. P. Sullivan served as pastor of Paran Baptist Church, Grandin (1942-1944).

JAMES M. SULLIVAN

James M. Sullivan (1881-1970) was born in South Carolina, and educated at Mercer University. He served as pastor at Newberry, Williston, Hawthorne, Palatka, and Lacoochee.

JOHN SULLIVAN

Sullivan,John

John Sullivan (October 20, 1936- ) was born in Ansted, West Virginia. He attended Grand Canyon Baptist College (B.A., 1961), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1965, M.Div., 1968; D.Min., 1973). Sullivan served as pastor of Twenty-Seventh Avenue Baptist Church in Phoenix (1959-1962), First Baptist Church in Aledo, Texas (1962-1967), Ridglea West Baptist Church, Fort Worth (1967-1971), First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas (1971-1975), and Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport (1975-1989). In June 24, 1955, Sullivan married Nancy Hinson Sullivan (b. August 21, 1936; d. August 12, 2020), and they have three children, John Michael (June 6, 1957), Cheryl Ann Anderson (November 18, 1960), and Jeanie (October 13, 1967). Sullivan was converted on August 13, 1955, having been led to Christ by his wife of two months, Nancy Hinson. He was baptized in Congress Heights Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the gospel ministry on December 1, 1957, by First Baptist Church, Cupertino, California. Sullivan became the Executive Director-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1989 and retired in 2015. Later in 2016, Sullivan was employed as the Pastor to Senior Adults, a ministry post he served until November, 2023. In January, 2024, he returned to Shreveport, La., to serve as the Pastor to Senior Adults at the Broadmoor Baptist Church.

RAY SULLIVAN

Ray Sullivan served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Placid.

ROBERT SULLIVAN

Robert Sullivan (1967-) was born in Jacksonville and accepted Christ at age 12. He served in numerous churches as minister of youth before becoming the pastor of First Baptist Church, White Springs (1995-1998). Sullivan married Paula Ann Militello in 1987 and they have two children: Jarrod and Hannah.

TIMOTHY DEAN SULLIVAN

Timothy Dean Sullivan (1958- ) was born in Jackson, MS. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sullivan served as Baptist Campus Minister, Student Work Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Elizabeth L. Carpenter Sullivan were married October, 1982.

WILL SULLIVAN

Will Sullivan served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Southport.

JAMES L. SUMMER

James L. Summer served as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Jackson County, 1964-1966.

ANDREW P. SUMMERS

Andrew P. Summers was born in Miami. He began pastoring Northwest Baptist Church, Miami in 2015.

JAMES R. SUMMERS

James R. Summers retired in 2013 after serving 34 years as pastor of Northwest Baptist Church in Miami. Homer G. Lindsay, Jr., was the organizational pastor of the church in 1952. The church now has members from 40 different nations.

PERCY SUMMERS

Percy Summers served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka.

EDWARD SUMMERSILL

Edward Summersill served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Lake City and First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

THOMAS H. SUMNER

Thomas H. Sumner (1936-2020) was born in Bristol, Florida, the son of Clarence and Elma Sumner. He attended the Baptist Bible Institute. Sumner served as pastor of several churches in Florida, including Jonesville Baptist Church, Newberry. He and his wife, Cora Louise Larkins Sumner had four children.

D. DENTON SUMRALL

D. Denton Sumrall (1944-2012) was a native of Meridian, Mississippi. He surrendered to the call of ministry at the young age of fourteen and pastored churches in Northern and Central Florida for over thirty years. Sumrall was a graduate of Mississippi College, and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He retired from the Florida National Guard as a Lt. Colonel and Chaplain after thirty years. Sumrall was the founder and Director of S.E.A. Mission, for over sixteen years leading church mission trips to the Bahama Islands. In addition to his ministry there, his travels took him to the San Blas Islands in Panama, Indonesia, Belize, Guatemala, and Khazakstan. He and his wife Carol had three children Austin, Hope, and Wesley.

JOE SUSTARSIC

Joe Sustarsic graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. Sustarsic served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Crestview. He and his wife Margaret had one son.

JACK E. SUTHERLAND

Jack E. Sutherland graduated from University of Florida and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Wahneta Baptist Church, Winter Haven and North Florida Heights Baptist Church, Lakeland.

D. F. SUTLEY

Sutley served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Laurel Hill.

JAMES H. SUTLEY

James H. Sutley (-1957) served as pastor of Mount Dora Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Socrumand Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt.

BASCOM. S. SUTTON

Bascom S. Sutton (1890-1986) was a native of Lakeland, Florida, the son of Charles N. and Rachel Keen Sutton. He served as pastor of New Home, Cedar Grove, Bradley, Alafia, Kathleen, Midway in Plant City and East Thonotosassa. Sutton was a former principal of Winston and Griffin schools. Sutton and his wife Mollie O Brown Sutton had four children.

BENJAMIN SUTTON

Benjamin Sutton served as pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church, Chipley.

CHARLES A. SUTTON

Charles A. Sutton (1895-1965) was born at Highland City, Florida. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Sutton. He was licensed to preach by the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Auburndale, Florida, on October 2, 1927, and was ordained April 1, 1928. Sutton served as pastor of the Griffin Baptist Church in Lakeland. He served the following churches in the South Florida Association: Griffin, Mt. Tabor, Homeland, Webster Avenue, and Bradley. He was pastor of the Stetson Baptist Church of the Seminole Association, and Knights and Alafia churches in the Shiloh Association. He also served as pastor of the Central Avenue Baptist Church in Lake Wales. He was pastor of the West Scenic Park Baptist Church in Lake Wales at the time of his death. He served as the first association missionary in the South Florida Association. Sutton and his wife had three daughters; Violet, Evelyn, and Claudia, and two sons; Charles Jr. and Clifford.

J. A. SUTTON

J. A. Sutton (1858- ) served as pastor of Homestead Baptist Church, 1918; Frist Baptist Church, Winter Park; First Baptist Church, Kissimmee, 1920-1923; Pine Grove Baptist Church, Christmas; North Side Baptist Church, Orlando; Park Lake Baptist Church, Orlando; and North Park Baptist Church, Orlando. Sutton and his wife had two children.

OWEN E. SUTTON

Owen E. Sutton served as pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church), Polk County.

JAMES G. SWAIN

James G. Swain (1898-1955) served as pastor of Orient Park Baptist Church, Tampa1936-1939; Oak Park Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs, 1945-1949 and 1950-1952. He and his wife, Emma Blanche Swain had two daughters.

W. N. SWAIN

W. N. Swain served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Panama City, 1914-1916, First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda, 1922, and Buffalo Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa.

SHERMAN W. SWAN

Sherman W. Swan (1920-2007) was born in Brookston, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Syracuse University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Swan served as pastor of Lake Park Baptist Church, Jupiter-Tequesta First Baptist Church, Plantation Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Palm Beach Gardens. He and his wife, Dorothy Lola Weakland Swan had two children.

HOYT SWANN

Hoyt Swann served as pastor of Millview Baptist Church (now Blue Angel), Escambia County.

STEVE SWARINGEN

Steve Swaringen (1927-2020) was born in Southern Pines, NC, the son of Martha and C. S. Swaringen, Sr. Swaringen retired from the U. S. Navy in 1967. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Swaringen served as pastor of St. Johns Baptist Church, Palatka. His first wife Carolyn V. Vredenburg Swaringen died in 2006, they had two children. He remarried Shirley Jamieson Swaringen.

CHARLES SWARTZ

Charles Swartz (1929-2013) of Bartow served in the ministry since he preached his first sermon in 1950. He was a graduate of Baptist Bible Institute, (now The Baptist College of Florida) when it was still located in Lakeland, and served churches in Georgia and the Lakeland area. He served as director of the Retired Minister’s Fellowship for the South Florida Baptist Association. He served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel).

DONALD A. SWARTZ

Donald A. Swartz (1923-1999) served as pastor in Connecticut, New York, and Florida. He served as pastor in Seminole and Tampa, and was pastor at Lakewood Baptist Church when he retired in 1971. He and his wife, Grace, had five children.

WALTER SWEENEY

Walter Sweeney served as pastor of Tamiami Baptist Church, Miami.

JOHN SYCAMORE

John Sycamore served as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Cocoa.

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